Strong Counsel for Injured Victims with Zantac Cancer Lawsuits

Philadelphia products liability lawyers at McCann Dillon Jaffe & Lamb provide skilled and experienced counsel to people who are harmed by dangerous drugs, such as Zantac.

Zantac was first sold in 1983 and was prescribed to treat conditions like heartburn, ulcers, and acid reflux. What you might not know is that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a recall on the drug several years ago because they believed it was linked to cancer. Zantac began disappearing from store shelves, and soon after, claimants started filing lawsuits.

What Is Zantac?

Zantac is an over-the-counter medication that is used for heartburn. The active ingredient is ranitidine, an H2 blocker that reduces acid levels in the stomach. The FDA’s investigation showed that ranitidine medications were prone to being contaminated by NDMA, which can result in unacceptable levels of exposure to impurities.

Why Was Zantac Recalled?

Zantac was recalled because NDMA is a probable human carcinogen, or a substance that may cause cancer. Subsequent third-party testing revealed that NDMA levels rise in ranitidine under normal storage conditions, higher temperatures, and when kept for longer lengths of time after manufacturing.

What Are the Side Effects of Zantac?

Like other over-the-counter and prescription drugs, Zantac could cause mild side effects, such as:

Headaches.
Drowsiness.
Stomach pain.
Nausea, vomiting.
Constipation or diarrhea.
Rashes.

If you have experienced any of these more serious side effects, reach out to your physician as soon as possible:

Fever or chills.
Chest pain.
Persistent cough with mucus.
Jaundice, dark urine.
An irregular heart rate.
Shortness of breath.
Bruising, bleeding.

As mentioned, people who have taken Zantac in the past may have developed a life-threatening or fatal cancer, including cancer of the pancreas, liver, bladder, stomach, and esophagus.

How Much Is a Zantac Cancer Lawsuit Worth?

There have been thousands of Zantac cancer lawsuits, and it is likely that the litigation will be resolved through a global settlement for all the cases. News reports have shown that a group of three manufacturers agreed to shell out $500,000 to settle an Illinois Zantac lawsuit in Sept. of 2022.

Eventually, the Zantac litigation will most likely be resolved with a global settlement. These could be grouped in settlement tiers that reflect the severity of plaintiff injuries and strength of claims. Although these figures are just estimates, they are based on similar mass tort cases that have been settled in the past:

Top-tier cases might be worth more than $500,000.
Second-tier cases might be in the range of $250,000.
Third-tier cases might be worth $100,000 or less.

Am I Eligible to File a Zantac Cancer Lawsuit?

To seek damages in these kinds of cases, there are criteria you must meet:

You must have taken the drug once a week or more for a minimum of one year before being diagnosed with cancer.
You used Zantac within 20 years before a cancer diagnosis.
You must have been diagnosed with cancer at 89 years old or younger.
You have evidence showing a link between Zantac and your cancer diagnosis, such as medical records or receipts.

Additionally, Drugwatch indicates that you must have taken brand name Zantac.

If you did use Zantac regularly and have (or had) cancer, you might want to contact an experienced lawyer to see if you have a case.

Philadelphia Zantac Cancer Lawyers at McCann Dillon Jaffe & Lamb, LLC Can Help if You Have Been Harmed by a Dangerous Drug

Drug manufacturers who market and sell dangerous products can be held accountable for their actions, and one of our skilled Philadelphia Zantac cancer lawyers at McCann Dillon Jaffe & Lamb, LLC may be able to help. For a free consultation, complete our online form or call us at 215-569-8488. Located in Philadelphia and Abington, Pennsylvania, as well as Wilmington, Delaware, we serve clients throughout the surrounding areas.