The Zantac lawsuit is one of the most widely talked about lawsuits in the medical industry. A popular heartburn and GERD drug, Zantac is taken by many people across the globe. If you're not familiar with the brand Zantac, you may know it from its generic term, ranitidine. These two have the same chemical composition.
The Zantac lawsuit emerged and became famous because of patients claiming that this drug had caused their cancer. That is indeed the case, and the cancer types are widespread: stomach, esophagus, throat, lung cancer in people who are non-smokers, and even leukemia in some cases. As authorities found a positive correlation between Zantac's chemical composition and cancer, a widespread recall was also ordered.
That said, you may be reading this as a person who also took Zantac earlier or perhaps know someone who has taken it. If so, this article provides you some of the basic information that you should know about the Zantac lawsuit and recall.
What Is My Recourse If I Feel I'm Affected By Previous Zantac Intake?
If you've previously taken Zantac for a prolonged period and are now starting to feel ill and experiencing negative side effects, have yourself checked by a doctor first. The physician can advise whether or not your use of Zantac correlates with your illness. If the correlation is confirmed, you've got recourse under the law.
Speak with an experienced personal injury attorney regarding how to go about your Zantac case. Most personal injury lawyers will have in-depth information and expertise about how to handle your case.
Bryant Law Center, for instance, is taking clients negatively affected by the drug Zantac.
What Is The Basis Of The Zantac Lawsuit?
The Zantac lawsuit didn't just surface and gain worldwide attention for no good reason. It arose from the basic fact that specific chemical components in Zantac or ranitidine were proved to have a positive correlation to cancer. One of these major chemical components is NDMA or n-nitrosodimethylamine. This is a hepatotoxic chemical that's found to cause any of the following side effects:
- Bladder cancer
- Tumors in the lungs, liver, and kidneys
- Stomach cancer
- Liver fibrosis and scarring, amongst many others
Because of the highly dangerous effects that NDMA brings, it was classified by the World Health Organization as a distinctly carcinogenic substance.
Do I Need To Change Medications Now?
One of the worrying concerns of patients taking ranitidine, and becoming dependent on it, is whether or not they need to change medications as soon as possible. In most cases, this matter is something that you can discuss with your doctor. The fact remains that other medications can also be prescribed that are safer to use. In measuring safety, this means that these alternative medications don't contain traces of NDMA.
That said, the bottom line is that ranitidine isn't safe for long-term use. You have the more prudent choice of discontinuing the intake of this medicine.
What Will It Cost To Hire A Personal Injury Attorney?
Another compelling matter on the minds of those who have to file a case is the dilemma as to whether or not they can afford the lawyer's fees. This problem is especially heightened in patients who already have cancer or other medical conditions. With costly cancer treatments, the last thing they want to worry about is having to pay exorbitant fees for a lawyer to claim just compensation for the damages due to them.
In this instance, the firm involved in the Zantac lawsuit isn't going to charge you anything. All consultations and processes are going to be free. For Zantac cases, lawyers charge on a contingency fee basis. This means that they don't get paid until a favorable settlement of your claim is achieved. It's only then that the lawyers charge a minimal percentage of the settlement that you received as their fee. This fee schedule is what's known as a contingency fee.
What Are The Possible Types Of Settlement That I Can Gain?
For patients who have previously taken or are taking Zantac, you might also want to know more about the possible types of claims that you can receive. When affected with cancer due to Zantac, possible damages due to you include the following:
- Punitive damages
- Medical expenses resulting from your injuries, disease or condition
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Pain and suffering, both physical and mental, before, during and after the treatment period
- Compensation for current wage loss and loss of potential earning capacit
If, thankfully, you don't have cancer but have taken Zantac or ranitidine, there's still a recourse or settlement for you as well. In that case, you can file a class-action lawsuit. This can help you get back all the money that you've spent to buy Zantac in your entire life. In so doing, this also strengthens all the litigation cases against the manufacturers of ranitidine. You can fight for the following:
- Further recall of other drugs containing high levels of NDMA
- Future consumer protection and higher levels of transparency
- Updated labeling on each box or container
What Are The Signs And Symptoms To Look Out For?
If you've taken Zantac or ranitidine over a long time, now you may also be concerned about the negative effects and possibility of developing cancer. To help you detect adverse side effects early on, symptoms to look out for include the following:
- Change in bowel or bladder habits
- Persistent cough or blood-tinged saliva
- Sores that don't heal
- Blood in stool
- Unusual bleeding or discharge
- Anemia or unusually low blood count
- Breast and testicular lumps or discharges
- Indigestion or difficulty swallowing
- Changes in warts or moles
- Nagging cough or hoarseness
If you've previously taken Zantac and experience any of the symptoms enumerated above, don't panic right away. In its early stages, cancer can often be cured. What's important is you're transparent with your doctor about it. Have yourself checked immediately. Don't forget to mention any medical history you might have along with all the medications you've taken.
Conclusion
Zantac is a drug useful in treating heartburn and GERD. Unfortunately, as it heals these minor discomforts, it has also been found to lead to more severe problems in the long run, with cancer being one of the most serious side effects. Because of the rising number of claims and complaints, a Zantac lawsuit and recall have come about. These facts, as you read above, form the basis of all you need to know about this global medical fiasco.
