Zantac

Product Liability Attorneys Representing People Harmed by Dangerous Drugs

Heartburn and acid reflux are common ailments, and many people rely on prescription or over-the-counter medications to alleviate their symptoms. People who took Zantac for heartburn or other gastrointestinal issues generally assumed that, while it may cause minor side effects, it would not cause them to suffer grave harm. Unfortunately, recent evidence indicates that Zantac contains carcinogens and that the companies that manufacture Zantac knew or should have known of its harmful effects. If you suffered harm due to Zantac, it is in your best interest to speak to a Zantac injury lawyer regarding the damages that you may be able to recover. The product liability attorneys at Stephen Law Group are skilled at handling these complex cases.

Harm Caused by Zantac

Zantac, which is the brand name of the drug Ranitidine, decreases the amount of acid in a person’s stomach. Thus, people frequently took Zantac to treat heartburn, acid reflux, ulcers, Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, and other stomach ailments. Zantac works by reducing the amount of acid created in a person’s stomach, but only for a limited time. Therefore, many people took it daily. Recently, however, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration stated that testing has revealed that Zantac contains N-Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), a known carcinogen. Specifically, NDMA can lead to stomach and bladder cancer, liver damage, and tumors in the lungs, liver, and kidneys. Furthermore, there is evidence that the companies that manufacture Zantac knew that it contained unsafe levels of NDMA and knew of the risks associated with NDMA well before the information was publicly disclosed.

Elements of a Product Liability Lawsuit

People who became ill due to taking Zantac may want to retain a Zantac injury attorney to pursue damages in a product liability lawsuit from the companies that made and distributed Zantac. Generally, there are numerous claims that an injured person can potentially assert in a product liability lawsuit, including negligence, strict liability, breach of warranty, and intentional misrepresentation. The precise claims available vary from state to state.

Negligence claims usually require a plaintiff to show that the defendant failed to exercise reasonable care in developing, designing, or distributing a product, which resulted in a defective product that caused the plaintiff’s harm. In contrast, a strict liability claim does not require the plaintiff to show any reckless or careless behavior on the part of the defendant. Instead, to recover damages in a strict liability claim, the plaintiff must merely prove that the product was defective, and the defect caused his or her harm. Typically, a plaintiff alleging a breach of warranty must show that the defendant sold or distributed the product and that the plaintiff used the product in the way in which it was designed to be used (or in a foreseeable way), and the product’s defect caused the plaintiff’s harm. Lastly, if the plaintiff can prove that the defendant knew of the harmful nature of the product but acted to conceal its risks, the defendant may be liable for intentional misrepresentation.

The issues presented in most product liability lawsuits are beyond the knowledge of the average person. Therefore, regardless of the precise theories of liability asserted, the plaintiff and their Zantac injury lawyer usually will need to retain one or more experts to explain the way in which the product’s defects led to the plaintiff’s harm.

Damages Recoverable in a Defective Drug Lawsuit

Plaintiffs who successfully prove liability in a defective drug lawsuit may be awarded the cost of any medical treatment needed for the illness caused by the defective drug, including the cost of future treatment. They can recover compensation for lost wages if they could not work due to their illness. They also may be able to recover compensation for their emotional distress, pain, and suffering.

Consult a Knowledgeable Product Liability Attorney

If you or a loved one took Zantac and were subsequently diagnosed with cancer or another illness due to Zantac, you should find out more about your potential legal claims. At Stephen Law Group, our experienced attorneys are committed to helping people harmed by defective products protect their rights. You can reach our Zantac injury attorneys via our online form or at 877-663-1007 to set up a meeting.