Ingestion of PPA -Containing Product During Pregnancy Caused Child's Developmental Disorder, Suit Alleges

BIRMINGHAM, Ala.-According to plaintiff Teresa Mertens' Nov. 6 complaint, her ingestion of a PPA-containing product during pregnancy caused her son to develop schizencephaly, a developmental disorder characterized by clefts in the brain's cerebral hemispheres. Shawn G. Mertens and Teresa F. Mertens, et al., v. Wyeth, Inc., et al., No. CV-02- 2947 (N.D. Ala.).

The suit, which was removed to the U.S. District Court for the District of Northern Alabama on Dec. 2, seeks to recover damages for injuries including mental anguish, loss of earning capacity, past and future medical expenses and shortened life expectancy. The plaintiffs are also seeking punitive …