Zantac, known also by its generic name ranitidine, is histamine-2 blocker that helps in decreasing acid produced in the stomach. Combined together, histamine-2 blockers are also known commonly as antacids and are typically used for treatment of heartburn. Zantac is sold as an over-the-counter drug and on prescription, and it went on to become the best-known and popular heartburn medications in the US and world. However, the popularity of the drug hit a roadblock, when lab tests found unacceptable amounts of carcinogen called NDMA. The basic premise of a Zantac lawsuit is its link with cancer. Below is an overview of these lawsuits.
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Understanding the grounds
Patients who have consumed the drug and have been diagnosed with cancer may have the scope to file a Zantac lawsuit. However, for that, it is important to prove that the patient was taking Zantac for at least six months. As such, the prescription of a doctor, or purchase receipts of Zantac, can be considered evidence. Also, it must be proved that consumption of the drug led to cancer.
Are these individual lawsuits or class-action lawsuits?
Most lawyers are accepting individual lawsuits, but these lawsuits will be eventually joined into a multi-district litigation, or MDL. The purpose of multi-district litigation is to streamline and speed up the proceedings. Only a handful of cases will go to trial in case of multi-district litigation, called bellwether cases, and the eventual judgement will set the roadmap for settlements and future negotiations. It should be noted that cases joining an MDL will be eventually treated as individual lawsuits, and therefore, plaintiffs will get separate compensation, depending on the facts and circumstances of their case.
What about settlements?
For now, no settlement has been reached, because for that, at least a bunch of cases need to go to trial. However, bellwether cases have a big role to play when it comes to what patients can demand. Attorneys are expecting and asking for high compensation, considering how cancer can impact a person’s life. There were some delays in the litigation because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, but things are in process.
If you, or a loved one, have been diagnosed with cancer because of extensive Zantac use, the first step should be about talking to a lawyer. Your lawyer can guide you further on whether you have a valid Zantac lawsuit, because for your claim to stand, there should be enough evidence.