Update on Zantac Lawsuits

• October 6, 2020
• Dangerous Pharmaceuticals, Lawsuit Updates

In February 2020, the U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation consolidated all of the Zantac lawsuits in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida under Judge Robin Rosenberg.

Discovery has been opened in the case and it is anticipated that it is just in its early phases in terms of the number of cases filed. It is anticipated thousands of lawsuits will be filed over the next few years alleging Zantac causes cancer. In addition to cases in federal court, there are also cases filed in state courts.

MDL No. 2924 Transfer Order

Why File a Zantac Lawsuit?

Zantac is a popular heartburn medicine used to treat heartburn and GERD and other gastrointestinal conditions. It was found to be contaminated with NDMA. NDMA can form as a byproduct of industrial processes or from exposure to high temperatures or storage over time. However, when exposed to it in high enough amounts it becomes a probable human carcinogen.

While NDMA can be found in low level, harmless quantities in food and drinking water, the levels found in Zantac and ranitidine are above what is considered safe by the FDA.

Is it safe to take Zantac? Has it been recalled? Lab testing and analysis discovered that ranitidine, which is the active ingredient in Zantac, may contain high levels of a cancer-causing chemical called NDMA. In April 2020, the FDA requested all ranitidine (Zantac) products be pulled from the market immediately.

What kinds of cancer does Zantac cause? It can increase one’s risk for all types of cancer, however, it has specifically been most closely linked to liver, stomach, colon and other cancers involving the gastrointestinal system.

Who might file a lawsuit? If you or someone you know regularly used Zantac or a generic ranitidine product for any extended period of time and were subsequently diagnosed with cancer, you may want to discuss your situation with a personal injury lawyer.

What is an MDL? The benefits of consolidating into an MDL translates to greater efficiency.

• preventing duplicate efforts on the part of attorneys in the discovery process
• aiding in more consistent pre-trial rulings
• helping conserve judicial resources
• speeding up the entire process

After this process is complete, typically a few cases are chosen for “bellwether” trials where the outcomes are used to help negotiate settlements.

HOW CAN WE HELP YOU?

DO YOU NEED LEGAL ASSISTANCE?

At present lawsuits have been filed against the makers of Zantac claiming the drag manufacturers knew NDMA in ranitidine could increase the risk of cancer but did not warn the public.

To learn more about pharmaceutical drug injuries or to talk to an attorney about your situation, contact the law firm of Nash & Franciskato for your free, no-obligation case evaluation. Your health and future prospects may be at stake, and we want to help.

CONTACT US FOR A FREE REVIEW OF YOUR CASE

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