Source: Mansfield Melancon Personal Injury Lawyers
For more than four decades, Zantac was the best-selling medicine for acid reflux and heartburn. It was prescribed to and sold over-the-counter by millions of individuals to alleviate digestive pain.
However, it was discovered later that Zantac and its generic versions contained N-Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), which is a known suspected human carcinogen.
As a result, the FDA requested that it be removed from the market, and throughout the nation, people who developed cancer due to taking the drug.
If you or a loved one took Zantac and later received a cancer diagnosis, you may be wondering whether you qualify to file a lawsuit.
Understanding the background and the basic eligibility requirements is the first step toward pursuing Zantac lawsuit.
Zantac Background
Zantac (ranitidine) was introduced in the 1980s and quickly became one of the most popular medications in the United States. It was marketed in prescription and over-the-counter strengths for decades as a drug to treat acid reflux, heartburn, and other ailments.
The problem arose when testing revealed that Zantac could form NDMA when exposed to heat or stored for long periods.
NDMA has been linked to various cancers, including stomach, bladder, liver, and esophageal cancer. Companies were hit with thousands of lawsuits after this became public knowledge, claiming they didn’t make consumers aware of the risk.
However, not all people who took Zantac are eligible to bring a claim. In order for you to bring a Zantac lawsuit, you must be able to demonstrate that there is some connection between taking Zantac and your cancer diagnosis. Lawyers handling such cases usually look for a couple of different things when deciding whether or not to bring a claim in your name.
You might be eligible if you can show:
- Prescription or over-the-counter use of Zantac. You will need receipts, pharmacy reports, or a prescription history of repeated use of Zantac or generic drugs.
- Cancer diagnosis resulting from NDMA exposure. The most common cancers caused by NDMA exposure are colorectal cancer, stomach cancer, bladder cancer, liver cancer, and esophageal cancer.
- Temporal correlation (diagnosis after repeated use of Zantac). The cancer diagnosis has to be made after frequent or prolonged use of the drug.
Factors That May Affect Your Claim
Below are some factors that may affect your claim;
- How long and how much you took Zantac — The amount of time and the amount of the drug you took will help determine how strong your case is, as long-term and frequent ingestion will likely correlate with higher levels of N-nitrosodimethylamine, or NDMA, which has been associated with cancer.
- Other potential causes of cancer – Lifestyle factors (like smoking or heavy alcohol use), family history of cancer, or exposure to certain environmental factors- might muddy the waters of your claim by providing defendants with alternative explanations for your disease.
- Jurisdiction – Laws regarding product liability, how long you have to file a claim (statute of limitations), and the types of damages you may recover all differ by state.
- Medical and scientific evidence — Courts will tend to rely on medical records, testimonies of experts, studies that are scientific in nature, and the connections between NDMA and your type of cancer. Strong documentation increases your chances.
Conclusion
Eligibility to sue using a Zantac lawsuit differs depending on your drug use history, drug use records, and the type of cancer that developed. Not all drug users will qualify, but in the event that you have evidence of a direct relationship between your drug use and sickness, you may seek compensation.
Below are the key points that should make you realize if you might qualify for a Zantac lawsuit:
- You must present evidence of ongoing use of Zantac or ranitidine.
- Your cancer diagnosis must be caused by exposure to NDMA.
- Time is of the essence—your sickness should arise after your drug intake.
- Accepting valid paperwork strengthens and improves your case for the likelihood of recovery.
An attorney can assist you in proving your qualification and right to receive compensation.
