Zantac lawsuits are legal claims filed by people who developed cancer because of the extended usage of the medication, Zantac. Some years ago, it was found out that the very popular, over-the-counter medication, Zantac, has a component of Ranitidine in it. Ranitidine, which was used for treating gastrointestinal problems, was found to be an unstable chemical that tends to get contaminated with N-Nitrosodimethylamine or NDMA, thought to cause bladder cancer and other forms of cancer.
If you are one of those who have suffered from cancer because of the regular usage of Zantac, you might be eligible for filing a Zantac lawsuit. Read along to understand the process of the lawsuit better.
What makes the Zantac Lawsuits so important?
Many people across America, with no family history or genetic markers of cancer, started developing cancer in various parts of the body like the bladder, gastrointestinal paths, and liver after prolonged usage of Zantac. Thus, many legal claims against Zantac manufacturers started arising because the companies failed to warn the general public against the possible outcomes of long-term Zantac usage.
Because of the Zantac lawsuits filed by different people at different times, the FDA looked into the matter. Eventually, the FDA issued notice for the Zantac manufacturers to stop manufacturing and supplying Zantac with Ranitidine in it, since Ranitidine often gets contaminated with NDMA.
Who is eligible to file a Zantac lawsuit?
If you have developed cancer because of extended use of Zantac, you are eligible to file a Zantac lawsuit and sue the major manufacturers for compensation. However, to succeed, you must be able to prove that you used Zantac, you developed cancer, and the possible link between these two.
Consulting with professional law firms can be a good idea if you think you might be eligible to file a lawsuit since professional injury lawyers can evaluate the eligibility better.
Here’s how to prove the lawsuit you are filing.
Usage of Zantac
To file a lawsuit successfully, you have to prove that you have been using the Ranitidine drug under the brand name Zantac. You also have to prove that you have at least used it for a year (at least one tablet every week). The easiest way to prove this claim is to present a prescription.
If you don’t have a prescription and have only used Zantac as an over-the-counter medicine, the receipt of the purchase and a referral from a practicing doctor can be used as proof.
Cancer Diagnosis
Zantac Lawsuit claims majorly include cancer diagnosis. The time gap between your first diagnosis and last usage of Zantac should be at least 20 years. The patient should be diagnosed before they are the age of 89. You can also present the fact that your family has no history of cancer or your DNA showed no early markers of cancer.
The link between the two
You can prove the link between your Zantac usage and your cancer diagnosis based on the dosage of the medication that was prescribed to you. In simple words, the higher the dosage, the more the chances of your body developing cancer. Prolonged periods of usage can also prove a connection between the two.
Which types of cancers are included in the lawsuit?
The main types of cancer that are included in the Zantac Lawsuit are,
- Stomach Cancer
- Gastrointestinal Cancer
- Pancreatic Cancer
- Esophageal Cancer
- Bladder Cancer, and,
- Liver Cancer
What kind of compensation does the lawsuit cover?
The compensation that a claimant receives in the Zantac lawsuit is mostly financial compensation. While filing the lawsuit, you can claim the following-
- Loss of earning ability
- Suffering
- Physical pain
- Loss of a loved one
- Medical and diagnostics expenses
- Travel expenses for availing treatment
- Funeral expenses
The companies that you can sue under this lawsuit include;
- Pfizer
- Sanofi
- Chattem Inc.
- GlaxoSmithKline, etc.
Questions that you must be prepared to answer
Once you engage a lawyer to handle your case against a company, he may ask you a series of questions in order to build your case. The most important clarifications and details that your lawyer shall seek include:
- Details of your diagnosis, such as what type of cancer have you been diagnosed with and when.
- The length of the period for which you consumed Zantac
- Details of your ongoing cancer treatment
- Your family’s medical history
- Any other serious side effects that you may be facing such as issues related to your central nervous system, heart, digestive system or liver.
Conclusion
That was everything you needed to know in order to successfully file a Zantac lawsuit. We hope that this information is helpful and will enable you to get justice.
Featured Image Credit: Florin