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Originally Posted On: https://www.rloky.com/zantac/

Who Can File a Zantac (Ranitidine) Lawsuit to Recover Damages?

As of April 2020, the Food and Drug Administration requested that all manufacturers of prescription and over-the-counter Zantac and other ranitidine drugs remove their medications from the market. If you took Zantac or any other ranitidine medications for an extended period of time and developed cancer, you may be able to pursue a personal injury or defective product claim to hold the manufacturer liable.

What is Zantac (Ranitidine), and What Makes it Dangerous?

Zantac is a popular heartburn and acid reflux medication that acts as a histamine-2 receptor antagonist. People take Zantac, which was released back in the 1980s, to decrease the amount of acid created by the stomach in order to prevent and relieve heartburn caused by acid ingestion. The FDA also approved ranitidine drugs to treat and prevent ulcers in the stomach and the intestines, as well as treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). While ranitidine products relieve heartburn, researchers have linked these acid-reducing drugs to a heightened risk of various types of cancer.

Ranitidine can form a cancer-causing agent called N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), which is found in petroleum products such as gasoline. Research has shown that in some ranitidine medications, NDMA impurities increase over time when stored at higher than room temperatures, or in the human body when ingested. In 2019, Zantac and other ranitidine products were pulled from the shelves because research had shown that these drugs contained a probable carcinogen, which made it dangerous to consume.

Qualifying Medical Conditions to File a Zantac (Ranitidine) Lawsuit

Consumption of Zantac and other ranitidine medications has been linked to dozens of medical conditions largely due to the potential exposure to NDMA. Those who took Zantac or another ranitidine drug for a prolonged period of time (at least six months), in either prescription or over-the-counter dosages, and developed cancer or another qualifying medical condition may be entitled to recover damages through a product liability claim. At Roberts Law Office, in Lexington, Kentucky, we provide legal information and recommendations regarding your potential legal claim against Zantac or another ranitidine drug manufacturer.

Symptoms of exposure to NDMA include:

• Fever
• Headaches
• Vomiting
• Dizziness
• Abdominal cramps
• Nausea
• Jaundice
• Enlarged liver
• Reduced function of the kidneys and lungs

The following medical conditions and types of cancer have been linked to NDMA exposure caused by taking Zantac and other ranitidine medications:

• Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
• Multiple myeloma
• Leukemia
• Brain cancer
• Blood cancer
• Breast cancer
• Lung cancer
• Esophageal cancer
• Stomach cancer
• Intestinal cancer
• Kidney cancer
• Liver cancer
• Colon cancer
• Pancreatic cancer
• Ovarian cancer
• Bladder cancer
• Ovarian cancer
• Testicular cancer

Exposure to NDMA from taking Zantac and other ranitidine products can put a consumer at risk for developing the above-mentioned medical conditions and types of cancer. But are you eligible to sue Zantac and recover damages just because you developed one of the qualifying medical conditions mentioned above?

Who is Eligible to File a Zantac (Ranitidine) Lawsuit?

If you have been prescribed or purchased Zantac or any ranitidine medications and have been diagnosed with a qualifying medical condition, you may be eligible to pursue a claim against the drug manufacturer to seek compensation. Numerous Zantac (ranitidine) lawsuits have been filed across the country, and more are expected to follow. You will have to prove the following three elements to qualify as a plaintiff in a class action or individual lawsuit against Zantac:

1. You used the drug. You will have to prove that you took Zantac or another ranitidine product to treat or relieve heartburn or for other purposes through medical records, pharmacy records, receipts, and sworn testimony. A knowledgeable attorney can help gather necessary documentation proving your use of Zantac or ranitidine.
2. You have a qualifying condition. Our attorneys will gather your medical records to prove that you have been diagnosed with one of the qualifying medical conditions linked to NDMA exposure from taking Zantac or another ranitidine drug.
3. Your diagnosis is a direct cause of your Zantac (ranitidine) use. You are also required to prove that your condition is a direct consequence of taking Zantac or ranitidine. A skilled product liability lawyer can help prove the link between your diagnosis and the medication.

Those who were harmed by Zantac or ranitidine use have two options: (1) Joining a class-action lawsuit; or (2) Filing an individual lawsuit. Many people benefit from joining a class-action lawsuit against Zantac because doing so can reduce the cost of conducting a full investigation and makes it easier to prove the link between your diagnosis and Zantac (ranitidine) use.

What Damages are Available in a Zantac (Ranitidine) Lawsuit?

Many Zantac users who were diagnosed with cancer are wondering, “What amount of compensation is available through filing a product liability claim against Zantac?” After all, medical treatment for cancer includes expensive drugs, chemotherapy, radiation, and even surgery. Cancer treatment is not only costly but can also cause pain and suffering and can diminish the victim’s earning potential. The cost of cancer treatment can reach hundreds of thousands – or even millions – of dollars. If you developed cancer due to NDMA exposure from taking Zantac or another ranitidine drug, you might be entitled to monetary compensation. The following damages may be available in a Zantac (ranitidine) lawsuit:

• Past and future medical expenses
• Past and future lost wages and diminished earning capacity due to the treatment and recovery
• Pain and suffering and emotional distress
• Other expenses and damages related to the victim’s condition

So far, Zantac and other ranitidine drug manufacturers have been reluctant to pay settlements, which is why it is recommended to contact an experienced and knowledgeable product liability attorney to pursue your claim. Let our attorney at Roberts Law Office maximize your chances of seeking monetary compensation for the loss and damages you have incurred due to your Zantac (ranitidine) use. We will work with experts and may work with other attorneys to maximize the value of your case.

If you have been diagnosed with one of the conditions listed above and have reason to believe that your diagnosis can be linked to your use of Zantac or other ranitidine products, contact our Lexington-based law firm to discuss your case. Call at (859) 231-0202 for a case review.