Zantac, an over-the-counter drug that was well-known and used to treat heartburn for about four decades, has been tied to causing several different types of cancer. This information came to light in 2020 when researchers determined that the drug developed NDMA, which is a chemical known to cause cancer, in warmer temperatures.
After this information was revealed, many people across the country started filing lawsuits to obtain justice for the harm they had endured from the dishonest and deceptive Zantac manufacturers. If you have been diagnosed with cancer and want to know whether it is too late to enter a Zantac lawsuit, please consider consulting with a product liability attorney from Kwartler Manus, LLC right away.
Can I file a lawsuit against the manufacturers if I took Zantac?
Even though Zantac was determined to be dangerous and taken off the market by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2020, you cannot simply file a lawsuit against the manufacturers because you consumed the drug. Instead, you must be able to prove that you took Zantac regularly, it caused your cancer, you were never informed about the risks, and as a result, you suffered losses. If you are completely fine and healthy after regularly taking Zantac in the past, you will not be eligible to file a Zantac lawsuit.
It is important to know that in 2021, a new medicine called Zantac 360 was released to the market. Similar to the original Zantac, this medicine helps individuals with heartburn. However, Zantac360 is made with famotidine instead of ranitidine, meaning that there is no NDMA found in the product. As a result, there is no concern of Zantac360 causing cancer to consumers. It is critical that you are aware of the difference between these two products because the lawsuits are only for those who took the original Zantac medicine that was recalled in 2020.
Is there a deadline to file a product liability claim for Zantac in Philadelphia?
According to Pennsylvania Statute § 5524, individuals in Philadelphia and the rest of the state must file a product liability claim within two years from the date of their diagnoses. Therefore, if you are thinking about taking action for your cancer diagnosis caused by Zantac, your timer starts when a doctor officially diagnoses you. If you need help filing your paperwork and submitting information within the given timeframe, the product liability lawyers at Kwartler Manus, LLC are happy to help.
What types of cancers are eligible for a Zantac lawsuit?
There are many different types of cancers that are being linked to Zantac. The following are some of the most common cancers that our clients have been diagnosed with due to frequently taking Zantac in the past:
- Lung cancer
- Breast cancer
- Stomach cancer
- Colon cancer
- Prostate cancer
- Liver cancer
- Pancreatic cancer
- Ovarian cancer
- Bladder cancer
- Thyroid cancer
- Esophageal cancer
- Kidney cancer
Is it too late to enter a Zantac lawsuit?
If you received your cancer less than two years ago, it is not too late to enter a Zantac lawsuit. People are continuously finding out that they have cancer or another serious condition years after taking Zantac. Therefore, it does not matter when you last took Zantac; it only matters when you were diagnosed with your medical condition. Even if you think that the two-year timeline has already expired, you should speak with a product liability legal professional as soon as possible.
There may be certain exceptions or other available options when it comes to your claim. However, if you continue to put this very important matter off, there is a strong possibility that you will lose out on the chance to hold the responsible corporations and pharmaceutical companies accountable for their negligent and deceiving actions and obtain compensation to cover your losses.
Who can I sue in a Zantac lawsuit?
When filing a Zantac lawsuit, you must be able to prove that the at-fault party knew about the risks of cancer and other health-related conditions associated with consuming the product and failed to warn you about them. There are currently several different at-fault parties that have received lawsuits for manufacturing and selling Zantac, including:
- GlaxoSmithKline
- Pfizer
- Sanofi Consumer Healthcare
- Boehringer Ingelheim
GlaxoSmithKline is the original manufacturer of Zantac. However, throughout its 40 years on the market, the product has had several other sellers and investors, such as Pfizer, Sanofi, and Boehringer Ingelheim.
What types of losses can I claim in a Zantac lawsuit?
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with cancer or passed away from cancer after taking Zantac, you may qualify to file a product liability lawsuit to obtain compensation for your losses. Your losses are the negative effects and consequences that you have experienced since being diagnosed with cancer or losing your loved one due to taking Zantac, such as:
- Medical costs (surgeries, emergency room visits, hospitalizations, chemotherapy, radiation, physical therapy, occupational therapy, prescriptions, medical devices, etc.)
- Lost income
- Lost benefits
- Loss of earning capacity
- Emotional distress
- Mental trauma or anguish
- Depression or anxiety
- Loss of enjoyment of activities
- Diminished quality of life
- Loss of companionship
- Physical and chronic pain
- Funeral and burial expenses
What forms of evidence should I gather in a Zantac case?
Evidence is essential in a Zantac case. By submitting convincing and supportive evidence, you can strengthen your claim and prove that there is a connection between your cancer diagnosis and your use of Zantac as well as the damages you need to recover your losses. Various forms of evidence that you and your attorney may gather for your Zantac case includes:
- Medical records
- Doctor reports
- Journal entries
- Photos and videos
- Receipts, bills, and invoices
- Pay stubs or tax forms
- Medicine bottles or packages
- Eyewitness statements
- Expert witness testimonies
The Philadelphia product liability lawyers at Kwartler Manus, LLC are here to help individuals who have fallen victim to Zantac. Therefore, if you have been diagnosed with cancer in the last two years and want to enter a Zantac lawsuit, our team will meet with you, assess your situation, inform you of your rights, and prepare to take legal action. These cases can be difficult to understand, which is why we are devoted to answering your questions and concerns, helping you prove your illnesses and injuries, and taking all necessary steps to hold the drugmakers accountable for their behaviors. Please contact our firm to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation in Philadelphia today.