Many types of cancer in the digestive system have been linked to the NDMA that can be found in Zantac. Research shows that Zantac may cause bladder cancer, as well as other forms of cancer including stomach, colorectal, and intestinal cancers. A study published by the American Association for Cancer Research indicates that Zantac may cause cancer of the bladder.
The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) issued a voluntary recall on all Zantac and ranitidine products because they may contain NDMA, a chemical that causes cancer. Research shows that NDMA is a possible carcinogen and has led to serious cancer-related outcomes in lab tests. To be safe, the FDA issued the recall and the manufacturer stopped producing Zantac entirely. Many people are now considering their legal options for seeking compensation due to the development of different types of cancer after taking Zantac.
Zantac Injuries
Zantac has been shown to cause a variety of injuries. Cancer is one of the leading medical conditions that it can cause, but there are other adverse conditions that can develop. These conditions include:
- Dizziness: NDMA exposure can cause dizziness that is usually temporary but recurring.
- Organ damage: Continuous exposure to NDMA may cause organ damage in the stomach, intestines, liver, gallbladder, and kidneys. Untreated, severe cases of organ damage can lead to organ failure and death.
- Kidney disease: Kidney disease is a condition where kidneys have been damaged and have permanently reduced functionality.
- Liver disease: Liver disease is also a condition where the liver has reduced functionality due to prolonged illness or damage.
- Digestive problems: NDMA can cause digestive problems including indigestion, nausea, and vomiting.
- Difficulty breathing: In some cases, Zantac can lead to difficulty breathing as NDMA can affect lung function and stomach acid can reach higher levels of the esophagus.
Injuries and conditions related to Zantac may not be listed above, as someone people experience rare side effects. If you experience any of these injuries, it is important to seek medical attention as soon as possible. Early intervention greatly improves your chances of making a full recovery. Once you have had treatment from a medical professional, you may want to consult a lawyer to determine your next steps.
Possibly Recoverable Compensation
When people file personal injury lawsuits related to medication injuries, the goal is usually to recover compensation. There are several types of compensation that you can recover in a lawsuit. Medical expenses are likely the largest concern for recovering compensation since treatment can be expensive. Any medical treatments that you have related to your injuries can be included in the lawsuit as long as you can prove that it was necessary and not caused by other conditions.
Lost wages are another area where people worry about compensation. If your injuries keep you from working, then you may be able to seek compensation for the time you lost. This should help ease the financial burdens of not working. Other lawsuits seek pain and suffering damages and other types of compensation based on the specifics of the case.
In the most severe cases, family members of patients who died because of exposure to Zantac can sue the manufacturer for wrongful death compensation. The amount awarded tends to be very high and can be used to cover final expenses and to support the family going forward. In essence, any provable loss in terms of financial losses can be claimed in a lawsuit.
History of Zantac Lawsuits
The FDA’s voluntary recall of Zantac was relatively recent. However, ranitidine has been used for many years, significantly increasing people’s exposure to NDMA. Many organizations, like the FDA and Vanderbilt University Medical Center, agree that everyone should stop taking Zantac as soon as possible to minimize their risk. Unfortunately, the damage may already be done for a lot of people.
Because many agencies agree that the makers of Zantac should have known that NDMA could be in Zantac through more extensive testing, lawsuits against the manufacturer are being developed. There is a class-action lawsuit, which is typical for these types of cases, being developed currently. It is not possible to know just how many individual lawsuits are being worked on as well. A class-action lawsuit rolls many of the individual lawsuits against a company into a single, large-scale lawsuit so that both sides can focus on a single case.
Contact a Lawyer to Discuss Your Case
Zantac can cause bladder cancer and a host of conditions that can severely impact your life. If you or a loved one suffer from bladder cancer or another illness after taking Zantac, then you may want to consult a lawyer to see what your options are. Call Pintas & Mullins Law Firm at (800) 635-1144 to speak to our legal team about your case.