Zantac Lawsuit | Seek Compensation for Your Cancer Diagnosis

Zantac manufacturers are currently facing lawsuits due to their defective drug and failure to warn users of the risk of cancer. If you took Zantac and now face a diagnosis of cancer, you may qualify to join an existing class action lawsuit against the drug manufacturers. We have a network of Zantac lawyers that can represent you and fight for compensation to address your losses.

What to know about Zantac lawsuits

If you are considering filing a lawsuit against Zantac, understanding the current litigation against the drug manufacturer can help. Much of the legal groundwork has already been laid through class action lawsuits and multidistrict litigation (MDL) in Florida. You may be able to join the MDL or file an individual lawsuit.

Either way, you should familiarize yourself with the drug, its potential to cause different types of cancers, and how mass tort law can affect your potential to recover compensation. You should also be aware of your rights as you pursue compensation for your losses. Drug manufacturers are large, billion-dollar corporations that have their own team of attorneys working in their interests.

You do not have to fight them alone, though. You have the right to seek legal counsel and representation and we can help. Our national network of attorneys can provide you with legal services and handle your case. Once we connect you with a Zantac lawyer, you can focus on your physical recovery while they tackle the legal process.

What is Zantac?

Zantac is a heartburn medication that was once available over the counter (OTC) and through prescription. Ranitidine is the generic name for the drug, which is a histamine blocker that reduces stomach acid, according to StatPearls. It treated a variety of ailments, including:

Stomach ulcers
Intestinal ulcers
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
Erosive esophagitis
Hypersecretory conditions, such as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome and multiple endocrine adenoma syndrome
Dyspepsia
Duodenal ulcers

You may also have taken ranitidine to treat other conditions, although the following uses were not approved by the FDA:

Aspiration prophylaxis
Anaphylaxis
NSAID-induced ulcer prophylaxis
Taxane-related urticaria prophylaxis

Ranitidine can be ingested orally or administered intravenously. In some cases, doctors even administered it through feeding tubes to patients.

The drug was first manufactured by GSK in the 1970’s and Pfizer created generic ranitidine in 2004. Since then, two companies, Boehringer Ingelheim and Sanofi, purchased the drug.

There are other manufacturers that also produce a generic formulation of the drug.

What is N‐nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA)?

While Zantac provided some consumers relief from these conditions, its potential to produce N‐nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) in certain dosages alarmed researchers and led to the current lawsuits against its manufacturers. Valisure found that a single tablet of Zantac exceeds 3,000,000 nanograms of NDMA, while the FDA’s limit is 96 nanograms per day.

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), NDMA is a probable human carcinogen that can cause different types of cancers. According to Clinical and Translational Science, when researchers tested NDMA contaminants on animals, it caused cancer in their liver, stomachs, kidneys, blood vessels, lungs, and respiratory tracts.

NDMA is an unstable molecule that also occurs in industrial manufacturing and household products. It also appears in some foods and beverages and cigarette smoke. While low levels of NDMA exposure do not usually cause cancer, high levels can increase the risk.

Does Zantac cause cancer?

Some studies suggest the NDMA that Zantac produces can place users at risk of developing cancer. In 2019, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) discovered through independent testing that Zantac produced low levels of NDMA. Since there was not enough conclusive evidence to show that low levels of the carcinogen lead to cancer, the FDA continued testing and issued a warning to consumers.

Further testing revealed that storage methods and age play a role in the level of NDMA the drug produces. If stored in cool temperatures as the manufacturer suggests, Zantac could still produce high levels of NDMA over time. If stored in warmer temperatures, the drug produced even higher levels of NDMA. Regardless of storage, the more time that passes after ranitidine is manufactured, the more NDMA it is capable of producing.

With this information, the FDA issued a market withdrawal of both prescription and OTC Zantac in April of 2020. It advised consumers to discontinue their use of all ranitidine products and discuss alternative antacid treatments with their doctors.

Other side effects from Zantac

Aside from increasing the risk of developing cancer, Zantac causes other minor and serious side effects. According to Healthline, users may experience:

Stomach pain
Nausea
Vomiting
Headaches
Diarrhea
Constipation

The more serious side effects include:

Liver inflammation, which may manifest through yellowing of the skin, discoloration in urine, and whitening of the eyes
Increased heart rate, which can manifest through tiredness and shortness of breath
Cognitive issues, which can manifest through depression, disorientation, blurred vision, and agitation

If you experienced any of these side effects, speak to your doctor immediately. As per the FDA recall, ask your doctor about alternatives to Zantac and create a plan to discontinue its use. You should not discontinue use of Zantac without first speaking with a medical provider.

Which cancers are named in Zantac lawsuits?

After taking Zantac, you may have developed one or more types of cancer. According to the Journal of Clinical Medicine, Zantac users may develop:

Breast cancer
Bladder cancer
Stomach cancer
Colorectal cancer
Liver cancer
Kidney cancer
Prostate cancer

Other types of cancer may result from taking Zantac, so you should discuss all health concerns with a doctor. Make sure they are aware that you used the drug. Tell them how often you would take the drug as well as your usual dosage.

Why are Zantac lawsuits being filed?

Plaintiffs are filing lawsuits against Zantac manufacturers due to the drug’s ability to produce NDMA in the body. This carcinogen comes with an increased risk of developing cancer.

Since the FDA recalled the drug in 2019, the floodgates opened for litigation as users gained further ground to link their cancer diagnoses to the drug. They seek a settlement that will account for their financial and emotional losses due to their illness.

Zantac class actions and MDL

Currently, a number of lawsuits against Zantac manufacturers consolidated into an MDL in West Palm Beach, Florida. U.S. District Judge Robin L. Rosenberg presides over the MDL. Consolidating these lawsuits allows for a speedier resolution for plaintiffs suffering from similar harm.

Class action lawsuits against Zantac may also be brought in states such as Massachusetts, Florida, California, New Jersey, and Connecticut. Note that MDLs and class action lawsuits are not the same and differ in some important ways. If you work with a lawyer, they can tell you more about what these differences mean for your particular case.

What is a class action lawsuit?

In both class action and MDL lawsuits, multiple plaintiffs suffer similar harm due to the same party’s negligence. These lawsuits offer plaintiffs a chance to seek more compensation than they may be able to recover through an individual lawsuit.

These types of lawsuits come with certain criteria plaintiffs have to meet, though. For example, in a class action lawsuit, there must be enough plaintiffs to form a class, and their individual claims must revolve around the same questions, such as the liable party’s negligence. A class representative serves as the spokesperson for all the plaintiffs, and this representative must have suffered similar harm as all the plaintiffs.

One advantage that MDLs have over class action lawsuits is that they allow each plaintiff to recover compensation proportionate to their individual losses. In a class action case, plaintiffs generally tend to divide the settlement funds more evenly.

Status of Zantac lawsuits

The Zantac MDL is currently underway, but it is still in the beginning phases of litigation. Bellwether trials have been delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. These are sample trials that the court uses to test the jury’s response to the case. They have a strong bearing on the MDL, and they can affect the amount of a potential settlement.

As mentioned, class action lawsuits may also be brought in several states, such as California and Florida.

Has there been a Zantac settlement?

No settlement has been reached in the Zantac lawsuits as of yet. This is good news since it means you may still have a chance to join the MDL. Your potential settlement depends on how your cancer affects you, regardless of how another plaintiff’s cancer affected them.

Who qualifies for Zantac lawsuits?

Zantac consumers who believe their cancer resulted from the drug can file a lawsuit against the manufacturer. Whether or not your case is successful depends in part on your Zantac lawyer’s ability to link the drug use to your diagnosis.

You may be able to join the current class action lawsuits or the MDL in Florida. Your eligibility depends on how quickly you take legal action, though, since a statute of limitations applies. There are deadlines for filing, and they usually begin on the date you discovered or should have discovered that you have cancer. If you cannot join an existing lawsuit, you may be able to bring an individual lawsuit against the manufacturer.

The existing class action lawsuits, as well as the MDL, revolve around two forms of manufacturer negligence: the product’s defective design and the manufacturer’s failure to warn consumers of the risk of cancer.

Defective design

Drug manufacturers have a responsibility to produce safe products for consumers. They must test their products multiple times before releasing them on the market, and they must adhere to the FDA’s regulations.

Plaintiffs argue that Zantac’s manufacturers failed to produce a safe product from the start. They claim the levels of NDMA in their products exceed the FDA’s limit and cause cancer.

Improper labeling and failure to warn

Aside from the fundamental safety issues with the drug, plaintiffs also allege that Zantac manufacturers knew their product caused cancer and failed to warn users and properly label the drug. Had they known the risk of ingesting even low levels of NDMA, some users may have opted for a different drug to treat their heartburn.

Do I qualify for a Zantac cancer lawsuit or settlement?

You qualify for a Zantac cancer lawsuit if you can prove you took the drug and developed cancer as a result. You will need to prove the connection between your diagnosis and your use of the drug, though. This is where a lawyer may be able to use your doctor’s testimony as evidence.

Medical documentation is key in a cancer lawsuit, and when you receive your diagnosis, your medical provider may be able to identify the cause of your cancer. If they can provide a link between your Zantac use and your cancer, you may stand to recover compensation through litigation.

Finally, you must be able to prove that your cancer caused you losses. This is rarely a problem since cancer patients require extensive medical treatment and often miss work due to their illness. The loss of a loved one can also qualify you to bring a Zantac cancer lawsuit against the manufacturers.

You must demonstrate that you took Zantac

If you were prescribed Zantac by your doctor, you can secure documentation that you took the drug. If you purchased Zantac over the counter, you may still be able to prove that you were a consumer. If you have any receipts showing you purchased the drug, this can help. Additionally, if you discussed your use of Zantac with your doctor, their intake notes can also serve as proof.

You must be able to link your cancer to your Zantac use

Once again, medical documentation can help connect your cancer diagnosis to your Zantac use. Some plaintiffs developed cancer despite having no family history of it or no history of smoking. This can speak volumes when taking legal action against the manufacturers. Ruling out congenital cancer and other environmental exposure can help you make your case.

Can you file a lawsuit if you didn’t develop cancer?

Some Zantac users who did not develop cancer are still suing the drug manufacturer for a failure to warn users of the risks of cancer. These lawsuits will not yield the same amount of compensation as a cancer lawsuit, but they may cover the costs of the drug.

What if you developed other medical issues due to Zantac?

Some plaintiffs are not only dealing with cancer. Their doctors were also able to link their Zantac use to other medical conditions, such as primary pulmonary hypertension (PPH) and Crohn’s disease. If you developed these conditions instead of cancer, you may also qualify to take legal action.

Should you file a Zantac lawsuit?

If you believe your cancer resulted from your use of Zantac, you may consider filing a lawsuit or joining the class action lawsuits or MDL. Consulting a law firm from our national network can help determine if you qualify to take legal action against the drug manufacturer. A Zantac lawsuit lawyer can assess your case, calculate your losses, and represent you during litigation.

While no amount of compensation can undo the harm you suffered, a settlement can address the financial strain brought on by your battle with cancer. You may face a lifetime of medical expenses, and you may lose your ability to earn an income as your debt accumulates.

Similarly, if you lost a loved one to their battle with cancer, you may be struggling in their absence. If they were the main provider, your family may face unexpected financial strain. You also deserve to hold a negligent drug manufacturer liable for the physical suffering they endured and the emotional hardship their passing caused.

A Zantac lawyer can handle your case

Along with determining your eligibility for a Zantac lawsuit, a lawyer we connect you with can serve as your advocate throughout the entire legal process. You will not have the hassle of filing paperwork or communicating with a large corporation’s legal team. They can take on the drug manufacturers while you focus on your health and spending time with your family.

What compensation is recoverable in Zantac lawsuits?

The compensation you may stand to recover from a Zantac class action lawsuit can vary. Keep in mind that settlements from MDL lawsuits differ for each plaintiff based on how the drug affected them. If you developed cancer after taking Zantac, you may be able to recover both economic damages and non-economic damages.

If you lost a loved one to their battle with cancer, you may also recover an award. Take a look at the different types of losses that may qualify you for compensation.

Economic losses

If you were diagnosed with cancer due to Zantac, you likely accrued medical expenses. If you work, you may have also missed out on wages and you may not be able to return to work or perform the same duties. These types of losses are economic damages that a settlement can address.

Specifically, you may be able to recover:

Chemotherapy and other forms of cancer treatment
Hospital stays and ambulatory care
In-patient and out-patient treatment
Diagnostic tests, including MRIs, X-rays, and bloodwork
Medication
Transportation to and from your oncologist and other medical professionals
Out-of-pocket medical expenses
Home modifications if you need medical equipment to cope with your illness
In-home help
Lost wages
Lost benefits and pension
Reduced earning capacity
Lost benefits, promotions, and sick leave pay

Our network of Zantac lawyers can calculate your losses, taking your future medical care and earning capacity into account. Your battle against cancer may last years, and even if you enter remission, you will need to monitor your health to make sure the cancer does not return.

The attorneys we can connect you with will fight for fair compensation to address your ongoing losses. This way, you and your family will not be left footing the bill down the road.

Non-economic losses

Along with medical bills and lost wages, you may also deserve compensation for the emotional turmoil and physical pain your cancer causes. Non-economic damages can compensate you for these losses. Your Zantac attorney may be able to secure a sum for your pain and suffering.

Living with cancer can also prevent you from engaging in the activities you once enjoyed and interacting with loved ones the same way you once did. Undergoing treatment and coping with its effects can transform your daily routine, and you can suffer a loss of quality of life.

Your attorneys can pursue an award for this loss as well. They may use a couple of different methods to assign a dollar amount to these non-economic losses. For example, they may advise you to keep a daily journal detailing how your cancer affects your life.

Wrongful death losses

You and your family may be able to recover compensation if you lost a loved one to their battle with cancer. You may receive an award for:

The funeral service costs, including burial or cremation expenses
Your loved one’s medical expenses before their passing
Your loved one’s pain and suffering before their passing
Loss of consortium for the companionship your loved one provided as well as the services they performed around the household
Loss of inheritance for the income your loved one provided the household

Only certain family members qualify for compensation. Usually, a spouse or child will be able to receive awards. These qualifications vary by state, however. A lawyer can tell you more about who can seek compensation in your case.

No amount of compensation can replace your loved one, but you do not deserve to suffer further losses. A Zantac lawyer can advocate for you while you grieve your loved one and spend time with your family.

Seek medical attention immediately

The importance of seeing your doctor as soon as possible cannot be overstated. The sooner you receive a diagnosis and begin treatment, the sooner you can address your health concerns and build a case against Zantac manufacturers.

Your health comes first

Above all else, seek medical attention immediately to improve your chances in the fight against cancer. If you receive a diagnosis, you should begin the treatment your doctor recommends as soon as possible. When fighting cancer, time is of the essence. The sooner you intervene, the better your chances of survival are.

Patients who catch cancer in its early stages typically stand a greater chance of entering into remission, a stage at which your cancer stops spreading. Once cancer begins to spread to other organs and areas of the body, your health outlook could become more serious.

Sometimes surgery is an option, and some patients may be able to rid themselves of cancer altogether. Even then, you will still need to remain vigilant because it can return. Your doctor will prescribe regular tests to monitor your health going forward.

Your case depends on medical documentation

Aside from getting the medical care you need, you also need medical documentation if you want to provide a foundation for your lawsuit. This documentation begins with your diagnosis, but it continues to play a role in establishing your losses. Everyone’s battle with cancer takes a different path, and you will want to seek compensation that addresses your losses accurately.

If you require years of medical intervention, your doctor’s records will reflect that. Your Zantac lawyer will use this as evidence when calculating your damages and determining what fair compensation looks like in your case.

Your case can suffer if you delay seeking medical treatment

During your lawsuit, if you delay seeking medical attention or fail to follow through with the prescribed treatment plan, the court may determine that you worsened your condition. This can negatively affect your potential settlement or even cause you to lose your case entirely.

Do not let a negligent drug manufacturer get away with causing your cancer. Follow your doctor’s instructions so that you have grounds to seek fair compensation.

Act quickly to protect your rights

Whether you are filing an individual lawsuit or joining a class action lawsuit, you must act quickly to protect your right to compensation. Every state has a statute of limitations for defective drug lawsuits, and if you try to file past the deadline, you risk seeing the court dismiss your case.

You must also afford your Zantac lawyer time to investigate and build your case. You will want to give your case the best chance of success, and it is likely that some time has already passed since you developed cancer. Some patients do not detect it as soon as they can if they assume their symptoms are the result of another medical issue.

As soon as you are diagnosed with cancer as a result of taking Zantac, you should begin the legal process if you plan on pursuing compensation.

The Sentinel Group can help you find a Zantac lawyer

No one should have to deal with illness after taking a defective drug. After being diagnosed with cancer, you may wonder if you qualify to file a Zantac lawsuit. We can connect you with a law firm that can determine your eligibility for legal action and represent you in a trial.

Our national network of mass torts attorneys stands ready to pursue fair compensation for your losses. You may be able to recover an award for your medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Do not delay when attempting to hold a negligent drug manufacturer accountable for the harm it caused you and your family. Fill out our contact form for help with your case and to learn how you can hold the manufacturer responsible.