Pfizer Wants Leave to Appeal Preemption Ruling in Zoloft Case

CHICAGO - An Illinois widow who claims her husband committed suicide as a result of consuming Zoloft is opposing Pfizer's efforts to appeal an adverse ruling on preemption, saying it is 'legally and factually unwarranted.' Zikis v. Pfizer Inc., No. 04-cv-8104 (N.D. Ill.).

Plaintiff Gail C. Zikis sued Pfizer in the U.S. Northern District Court of Illinois in December, alleging that Zoloft (sertraline), an antidepressant, was responsible for the December 2002 suicide death of her husband, Donald.

Zikis contends that Pfizer has known about Zoloft's serious side effects for a long time, but only recently began informing physicians and …