Abbott Laboratories Prevails in Ohio Depakote Birth Defect Trial

CINCINNATI — An Ohio federal jury has rendered a verdict in favor of Abbot Laboratories Corp. in a Depakote birth defect action, finding the anti-seizure medication did not proximately cause the plaintiff’s daughter to be born with birth defects.

In a Nov. 2 verdict, the jury answered “no” to questions of whether Abbott failed to adequately warn of the risk of birth defects, negligently designed Depakote, and failed to conform to representations made in connection with the drug.

Judge Susan J. Dlott of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio presided over the trial.

Pamela Rheinfrank …