Missouri Federal Judge Dismisses Zoloft Birth Defect Action for Lack of Jurisdiction

ST. LOUIS — A Missouri federal judge has dismissed a Zoloft birth defect complaint, finding the court lacks general and specific personal jurisdiction over defendants Pfizer Inc. and Greenstone LLC because they do not have the requisite “continuous and systematic” contacts with the state.

In a Sept. 8 order, Judge Audrey G. Fleissig of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri noted that the plaintiff has not shown this to be an “exceptional case” that warrants defendants being subject to personal jurisdiction in Missouri for any and all suits brought against them.

Carrie Clarke alleges that her …