Drug maker, psychiatrist sued in Hartman case
May 28, 1999
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- The executor of Phil
Hartman's estate is suing the makers of the
antidepressant Zoloft and Brynn Hartman's
psychiatrist, claiming she suffered side effects from
the drug that caused her to shoot the comedian and
then kill herself.
Gregory Omdahl, Brynn Hartman's brother and the
executor of the couple's estate, contends his sister's
psychiatrist prescribed Zoloft to her without
properly diagnosing her condition.
"Zoloft is an antidepressant that in some people
causes violent and suicidal side effects," said Karen
Barth, lawyer for Omdahl.
Tests conducted after Brynn Hartman's death
showed she had Zoloft, alcohol and cocaine in her
system at the time of the shootings.
The wrongful death lawsuit, filed Wednesday,
names as defendants New York-based Pfizer Inc.
and Los Angeles psychiatrist Arthur Sorosky.
Hartman, 49, star of the television sitcom
NewsRadio, was shot to death May 28, 1998, by
his wife in the couple's home. Brynn Hartman, 40,
then killed herself.
A spokesperson for Pfizer could not be reached
after business hours Thursday. Sorosky declined
comment.
A Reuters article on the same subject:
Lawsuits Filed In Hartman Case
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