Zantac Lawsuit: The Product Liability Case Against the Big Shots of Pharma

Until and unless you have been living under a rock, it is impossible that you have not heard about the ongoing Zantac Lawsuit, which has sent tremors in the healthcare and pharmaceutical industry.

Every time my family and I came back home after a party or a family gathering where we had to eat our hearts out, I saw my mother take out medicines for acidity (as a precaution). This was the first thing that she would do.

And I think this is something that most people of our parent’s age would do. But, after reading about the latest Zantac Lawsuit, I have been strict with this poor lady. And trust me when I say this: if you get to know what’s happening, you would do too.

Hi. In today’s blog, I will be talking about the lawsuit against this popular antacid that has been around for decades. Additionally, I will explain how you can claim your compensation if you are eligible for the settlement.

So, if this is something you want to know, keep on reading this blog till the end and thank me later!

About Zantac: The Antacid in Question

Also popular as its real name, ranitidine, Zantac is an antacid that has helped millions of people for years to deal with acid reflux and manage heartburn.

It was first approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the early 1980s and has been one of the best-selling drugs when it comes to antacids.

The medicine works by reducing the secretion of gastric acid. Thus, it is able to manage and treat heartburn and acid reflux.

While everything was going great with the drug, in 2019, independent lab tests on Zantac made some shocking discoveries that raised concerns. They found out that the medicine contained NDMA or N-nitrosodimethylamine.

Now, THIS is a chemical that is classified as a potential human carcinogen. Which means they can cause cancer. This alarming discovery led to several investigations and lawsuits in the year 2020.

What is the Zantac Lawsuit About?

The Zantac lawsuit is basically a case of product liability against the manufacturers of the drug that aimed to help people deal with acidity, stomach problems, and heartburn.

People have come together to hold the manufacturers responsible for not warning about the potential harm of the dangerous product.

As a result of this, thousands have filed complaints against major pharmaceutical companies like Pfizer, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), and Boehringer Ingelheim.

According to the lawsuit, and after several investigations by expert scientists, people got to know that this medicine could turn into the dangerous chemical NDMA. NDMA is bad because it can cause cancer if someone is exposed to too much of it for a long time.

As per the lawsuit, plaintiffs came together and blamed the manufacturing company for selling a potentially harmful product that could cause cancer without any advisory disclaimer.

They were of the opinion that the people who made Zantac should have checked if their medicine had NDMA. The manufacturers should have tested it properly, warned doctors and patients,

Some came forward and even said that had the manufacturers tested the drug, they could have changed how they made, stored, and sold it to keep people safe. But they didn’t do that.

People took Zantac for years, sometimes every day, without realizing it could be harmful. Scientists discovered the problem years ago, but the companies that made Zantac didn’t tell the public.

Some evidence suggests that GlaxoSmithKline, the company that first developed Zantac, knew about the risks as early as the 1980s but chose to keep quiet.

Now, more than 70,000 people are suing the makers of Zantac, saying that the drug gave them cancer. They believe the company should have warned them much earlier and stopped selling Zantac before it could harm anyone.

Major Legal Allegations in Zantac Lawsuit

Plaintiffs have come together to claim that they would have chosen a safer alternative to this drug if they knew about its potential harm.

Their main issue is with the fact that Zantac manufacturers did not warn the patients about the reality of side effects in the long run.

Here are some of the major allegations that the Zantac lawsuit revolves around:

1. Failure to Warn: The drug manufacturers did not warn people or the doctors about the presence of NDMA even when they knew.

2. Defective Drug Design: Plaintiffs also mentioned that considering the chemical composition of the drug can change and become a harmful carcinogen, the manufacturers should have designed it better.

3. Negligence: The manufacturers were negligent when it came to testing the medicine. They should have kept the scientific evidence in mind, which clearly mentioned the presence of NDMA.

4. Fraud and Misrepresentation: Some of the lawsuits claimed that the manufacturers of this drug misled the public by not warning them about the dangers to protect their company’s profit.

5. Wrongful Death: Studies have shown that several people who took this medicine for years died from cancer. Therefore, families of the deceased have filed for claims related to wrongful deaths.

Settlement You Can Expect in Zantac Lawsuit

As of now, the Zantac Lawsuit has not reached any official settlement globally. However, one time the case reached a place where the judges thought of paying the settlement in a rather complicated point system.

There have been several small settlements which the defendant has made. For instance, the manufacturer confirmed to have made a “confidential settlement” in California on 25th December 2022.

Then, again, on 29th February 2024, Glaxo settled another plaintiff’s case in another confidential case in California.

On 8th May 2024, Pfizer decided to settle more than 10,000 cases and reached an agreement with them. However, these settlements have not even reached half of what they should have.

According to these settlement systems, the plaintiffs would get the settlement based on the severity of the damage that this drug has caused. Additionally, it would also depend on the duration for which this medicine was taken by an individual.

As per several resources, the initial Zantac lawsuit settlements reached an average amount of about $25,000. However, this is much lesser than what people originally assumed it to be.

But why has that happened? Well, for those who don’t know, there have been several MDL dismissal of the plaintiffs’ claims which ultimately reduced the value of the settlement amount.

So, who has settled their lawsuit?

• GSK is still paying $2.2 billion, which covers about 93% of the remaining claims.
• Sanofi also settled around 4000 cases, but the amount had not been made public yet.
• Pfizer has also settled around 10.000 cases but kept the settlement amount confidential

This means, the only manufacturing company who has not settled yet is Boehringer Ingelheim. They have cherry-picking their legal battles and trying their best to not admit to any wrongdoing.

Eligibility for Filing a Claim in Zantac Lawsuit

You can still file a case and be a part of the Zantac lawsuit. But for that, you need to prove that you are eligible for the claim.

You can file a case if you:

• Took the medicine regularly or even for a substantial amount of time
• Were diagnosed with cancer later on, like:
  • Stomach cancer
  • Bladder cancer
  • Liver cancer
  • Esophageal cancer
  • Pancreatic cancer

• Are able to prove that the reason for your cancer was the usage of Zantac.

Filing a Zantac Lawsuit: Know Your Options

Now that you know about the updates related to the Zantac lawsuit, you might want to know if you can still file a claim for this case. And the answer to that is yes.

So, even if we don’t know when will Zantac lawsuit be settled, there are a few things that you need to keep in mind when you file a personal injury lawsuit against the now-discontinued drug. Additionally, you also need to have a few proofs ready and at hand.

Zantac Personal Injury Lawsuit

Most people have been filing for a personal injury lawsuit that stems from Zantac usage. This is mainly because this drug was the primary reason for cancer.

Here’s what you need to show as proof to file the case:

• Pain and suffering.
• Lost wages.
• Medical bills.
• Emotional distress.

These lawsuits can guarantee you the maximum compensation. So, it is best that you choose wisely.

Zantac Wrongful Death Lawsuit

If someone in your family passed away because of cancer that was related to their intake of Zantac, you can file a wrongful death lawsuit.

In such a case, you will be eligible to seek compensation for the following:

• Lost wages.
• Medical costs.
• Pain and suffering.
• Funeral cost.

Zantac Class-Action Lawsuit

If you want to be a part of an ongoing class action lawsuit, you can do that as well. These lawsuits are designed for a huge number of people who want to come together for the same cause.

Even if you have not developed cancer (which is great!), you can still file for monetary compensation from the manufacturers for buying the drug.

Who Can Help You in a Similar Situation?

If you think that you have suffered because of a product or drug, just like in the case of Zantac Lawsuit, you can file your case. There are professionals who are ready to provide you with the legal help that you need.

But who can help you? Let me tell you!

• Product Liability Lawyers: These attorneys specialize in cases where companies sell dangerous products. They can file your claim, gather evidence, and fight for compensation.
• Consumer Protection Groups: Organizations like the FDA, Consumer Reports, and Public Citizen provide information on dangerous drugs and recalls.
• Medical Experts: Your doctor or an independent medical professional can help connect your illness to Zantac use.
• Legal Aid Services: If you can’t afford a lawyer, some nonprofit legal groups provide free legal assistance for product liability claims.

Many law firms offer free consultations and work on a contingency basis, meaning you only pay if you win your case.

Read Also:

• ZYN Lawsuit: Consequences of Deceptive Marketing to Minors
• Bard Hernia Mesh Lawsuit Update: A Classic Case of Product Liability
• 600+ Suboxone Class Action Lawsuits Make It the BIGGEST Product Liability Case?