Topamax is a drug used in the treatment of epileptic seizures. Many doctors suggest the drug for treating migraines as well. The drug is something that has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). But, the problems the drug causes in a newborn when taken during pregnancy came to light much later. As such, there are many Topamax lawsuit claims being filed.

The main birth defect that has been linked to Topamax is cleft lip or cleft palate. Cleft lip or cleft palate is a physical deformity that happens during the gestation period. This may be partial, complete, or bilateral. When the palate is not affected, it is merely called cleft lip. Cleft lip requires one or two surgeries for correction and can be quite distressful for the parents.

Sometimes the deformity is so extensive that the baby is able to talk or even feed properly only after several surgeries. If a mother has taken Topamax during her pregnancy and the child is born with cleft lip or cleft palate, or other serious birth defect, it is better to file a Topamax lawsuit.

Filing a lawsuit has many advantages. First of all it can get the child ample compensation to cover the medical charges incurred due to the birth defect. The surgeries required to treat the problem are expensive. The lawsuit will help in covering the cost of the reconstructive surgery and future surgeries.

Other than coverage of medical bills, further compensatory damages can be sought. This includes the expenses during the recovery period after the surgery, patient's medications, money the parents had to forgo to take care of the child during and after the surgery by taking off from work, and many other concerns. These also include compensatory payments for the psychological trauma caused, due to the disfigurement.

To file a Topamax lawsuit, the parties have to identify a good Topamax lawsuit lawyer. There are firms that specialize in such lawsuits. He or she will be able to give solid advice with regard to the path that need to be taken. Now the FDA itself is issuing a warning to pregnant women regarding the problems caused by the medicine.

Other than cleft lip, Topamax is a drug that is said to cause other deformities around the mouth and possibly brain damage, developmental delays, and heart defects. The lawsuits have helped in bringing the problems with the drug to light.