You could be eligible to join a Zantac class action lawsuit if you:
- Personally took Zantac or another medication containing ranitidine and later developed cancer
- Have a loved one who took Zantac or another medication containing ranitidine and later developed cancer
Due to the often high-profile and involved nature of class actions, you could benefit from having a lawyer on your side. Our team can explain your legal options, including whether you are eligible to join the ongoing multidistrict litigation (MDL) regarding Zantac: MDL 2924.
You May Be Eligible to Join MDL 2924
Currently, the most prominent lawsuit involving the dangers of Zantac is MDL 2924, which is being brought in the U.S. District Court Southern District of Florida. According to the United States Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (JPML), MDL 2924 had 1,619 total actions, with 1,573 actions pending as of October 2021.
Some of the assertions made when victims initially filed MDL 2924 include that:
- Anybody who took Zantac or a similar medication was put at risk of cancer due to the inherent instability of the ingredient ranitidine.
- The number of cases recognized in MDL 2924 is only the “tip of the iceberg,” and more will likely emerge in the next “couple of years.”
If you choose to move forward with legal action based on your or a loved one’s injuries from Zantac use, our firm is here to help. Understanding the claims against Zantac and similar drugs containing ranitidine can inform your decision.
The Dangers of Zantac and Ranitidine Became Known in 2019
In 2019, online pharmacy and laboratory Valisure alerted the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of an issue detected when testing Zantac. These tests revealed that ranitidine, the active ingredient in Zantac and similar drugs, could produce an unsafe level of the chemical N-Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) in the body.
This revelation was concerning for several reasons. According to MDL 2924, NDMA:
- Is used primarily to intentionally produce tumors in laboratory animals, with the tumors being the subject of testing
- May also produce tumors in humans, resulting in various forms of cancer
- Can occur in levels astronomically higher than is medically acceptable in drugs containing ranitidine, such as Zantac
NDMA has Been Linked to Cancer
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) cites additional facts about NDMA that shed greater insight into its dangers. According to the EPA, NDMA:
- Is a “probable human carcinogen”
- Is the byproduct of industrial processes, such as rocket fuel production and wastewater treatment
A Stanford Study cited in MDL 2924 found that ingesting ranitidine may lead to levels of NDMA in the body that are 400 times greater than the FDA’s “acceptable” level, which is particularly alarming. As a probable carcinogen, having that amount of NDMA in the body could be extremely dangerous and ultimately result in cancer.
Cancers That May Result From Taking Zantac
According to findings cited in MDL 2924, some of the cancers that may result from ingesting ranitidine in Zantac include:
- Liver cancer
- Bladder cancer
- Kidney cancer
- Esophageal cancer
- Intestinal cancer
- Stomach cancer
- Pancreatic cancer
Potential Damages From a Zantac-Related Cancer Diagnosis
If you were diagnosed with any of these forms of cancer, you may face:
- Significant mental anguish from the trauma of a cancer diagnosis
- A lengthy string of hospital stays, doctor’s appointments, and intense treatments to address the cancer
- Significant bills related to visits with specialists, various cancer treatments, and any in-home care you had to hire for yourself or your family
- Lost income during times you could not work while attending medical appointments and receiving treatment
- Strained relationship with loved ones
- Inability to participate in activities you once enjoyed
If you have suffered these and other hardships because of cancer from taking ranitidine, you could seek compensation for these expenses and losses through the MDL. When our team pursues compensation on your behalf, you could recover:
- Medical expenses related to your cancer treatment
- Income and work-related benefits you missed
- Pain and suffering
- Reduced quality of life
Other damages may be recoverable if your loved one received a cancer diagnosis.
Damages Related to a Loved One’s Cancer Diagnosis
If your loved one developed cancer after taking Zantac or another ranitidine drug and subsequently died, you could recover compensation for damages like:
- Their outstanding medical bills related to the cancer
- Income you lost while caring for them
- A loss of household income they would have contributed
- Loss of their companionship, comfort, and guidance
- Funeral and burial expenses
As part of our legal services, we help clients identify the damages they qualify to seek and their potential value before proceeding with the case.
A Lawyer Could Help You Seek Justice in a Zantac Lawsuit
If you or a loved one developed cancer after taking Zantac or another medication containing ranitidine, you may be eligible to join MDL 2924 or bring a lawsuit of your own. When you hire us, a lawyer from our firm will assist you in joining a Zantac class action lawsuit, should you choose.
Some of the services that our law firm can provide include:
- Investigating the facts of your case and compiling relevant evidence
- Handling all legal paperwork and actions necessary to complete your lawsuit
- Representing you in hearings and other legal proceedings
- Working alongside industry experts and other legal professionals who can offer support for your case
- Calculating the value of your damages
We advocate for each client’s best interests, regardless of the type of lawsuit they file.
Reach Out to Our Firm for a Free Case Review
If you want assistance with bringing or joining a lawsuit against the Zantac manufacturers, do not hesitate to reach out to our law firm. The team at Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers fights for those who have been victimized by negligence.
We can seek compensation for your damages after you or a loved one took Zantac or ranitidine and then developed cancer. Call our team to hire a Zantac cancer lawsuit lawyer today at (337) 777-7777 and receive a free consultation.