San Antonio Zantac Attorneys

Marketed as an antacid and antihistamine for treating heartburn, GERD, and stomach ulcers, Zantac—the brand name for ranitidine—has been readily available to consumers for almost 40 years. Most users didn’t need a prescription to obtain this H2-class inhibitor, which worked by blocking stomach acid. Despite being declared safe for long-term use, this popular drug was recalled in late 2019 and officially withdrawn from the market in April of 2020. The FDA ordered manufacturers to immediately remove Zantac and generic ranitidine medications from their shelves after discovering they contained dangerous levels of cancer-causing chemicals. Unfortunately, this discovery came too late for the tens of thousands of Zantac users suffering from serious cancers. Zantac and generic ranitidine manufacturers now face extensive litigation by affected users and their families. San Antonio residents who developed cancer after long-term Zantac (ranitidine) use might obtain substantial compensation from pharmaceutical companies. However, filing federal litigation and navigating the complex Zantac claims process often requires help from the dedicated Zantac claims attorney at Wyatt Law Firm. Our experienced San Antonio Zantac Lawyers have recovered over one billion dollars in compensation for our clients. If you or a loved one developed cancer, especially stomach, bladder, or breast cancer, after using Zantac (ranitidine), contact our San Antonio office immediately for your free case analysis.

Overview of the Zantac (Ranitidine) Recall

Nearly every major retailer, including San Antonio Walmart, Target, CVS, and Walgreens stores, carried Zantac and its generic versions for decades. Regulators believed this over-the-counter medication was safe enough that most users didn’t need a prescription. They could simply purchase Zantac or a ranitidine generic over-the-counter. Zantac was even deemed safe for prolonged use to treat chronic heartburn. It worked by blocking the stomach chemicals (histamines) that activated the body’s stomach acid pumps, in turn reducing acid reflux. In 2019, an independent pharmacy tested various batches of Zantac and discovered dangerously high levels of the chemical N-Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA). Further studies indicated that ranitidine might produce NDMA, a known carcinogen, as a byproduct. Some reports even indicated Zantac produced ten times the safe amount of NDMA. The levels of NDMA increased over time, especially when people stored the product at higher temperatures. Unfortunately, many users would purchase and then store Zantac to use as needed. Certain batches of Zantac and ranitidine generics contained unsafe amounts of cancer-causing NDMA, leading Sanofi (Zantac’s manufacturer) and major retailers to recall fifteen different ranitidine medications. The FDA confirmed these dangers in early 2020 and subsequently required the immediate withdrawal of Zantac and its generics due to unacceptable cancer risks.

Cancers and Medical Conditions Associated With Zantac

The liver can process small amounts of NDMA naturally occurring in foods and water. However, the toxin begins building up after prolonged exposure to high levels of NDMA. Taking Zantac, an often daily medication, likely contributed to NDMA buildup. This toxicity causes various health conditions, especially cancer. While high NDMA levels contribute to many cancers, ranitidine users often developed:

• Breast cancer (even in men)
• Bladder cancer
• Stomach cancer
• Skin cancer (melanoma)
• Liver cancer
• Ovarian cancer
• Prostate cancer
• Colon cancer
• Kidney cancer
• Esophageal cancer
• Lymphoma (Hodgkin’s and non-Hodgkin’s)

NDMA often causes cancerous tumors, which may require removing part of the patient’s liver, bladder, colon, stomach, or kidney. These serious surgeries may remove the cancer, but they often result in lifetime medical treatments, monitoring, and reduced life expectancy. Some cancers also have low five-year survival rates or require extensive chemotherapy and radiation. Additional conditions associated with NDMA exposure include Crohn’s disease, an inflammatory bowel disorder, and primary pulmonary hypertension (PPH), a rare and dangerous lung disorder. NDMA toxicity might also result in nausea, vomiting, fever, headaches, stomach cramps, dizziness, and various kidney and liver disorders. San Antonio residents diagnosed with cancer or related disorders after prolonged Zantac or ranitidine use should discuss their legal rights with a local pharmaceutical liability attorney.

Understanding the Federal Multidistrict Zantac Litigation (Zantac MDL)

When pharmaceutical companies know (or should have known) about a drug’s potential dangers, including dangerous side effects, they must generally warn the public about the risks. Users can then conduct a risk-benefit analysis with their doctors. If the company fails to adequately warn users about product dangers, injured claimants might file product liability litigation. Product liability cases allege that claimants developed illnesses or suffered injuries due to dangerous consumer products. Zantac claimants must generally allege that (1) the manufacturer knew about the potential side effects and (2) the condition developed (in this case, cancer) stemmed from this undisclosed danger. San Antonio claimants might demand compensation from the product developer, drug manufacturers, and commercial retaliators in product liability cases. Since the Zantac recall in 2019, over 70,000 former patients in 1,300 lawsuits sued Sanofi, generic ranitidine manufacturers, and commercial sellers for damages. These patients reported developing various life-altering cancers linked to long-term ranitidine use. Because the sheer volume of Zantac litigation could result in unacceptable judicial delays and bankrupting attorneys fees, the cases joined together under federal mass tort litigation laws. This procedure resulted in the current federal multidistrict litigation, In Re: Zantac (Ranitidine) Product Liability Litigation, 20-MD-2924, in Florida. The Florida court now controls procedural and factual matters related to the Zantac litigation, but claimants still benefit from their local product liability laws. For example, San Antonio claimants impacted by Zantac may still file litigation under Texas product liability laws, but the case will likely transfer to the Zantac judge in Florida. The Zantac MDL involves numerous attorneys and plaintiffs from nearly every state. As such, hiring dedicated local counsel helps ensure that your claim does not get lost in the sea of related lawsuits. The Zantac litigation lawyers at Wyatt Law Firm fight to ensure that their clients feel heard and receive just compensation from the MDL.

Options for Joining the Zantac Mass Tort Litigation

These claimants might qualify to file litigation against ranitidine manufacturers and join the current Zantac MDL:

• Individuals with cancer: Individual persons who took Zantac or the generic and developed cancer linked to prolonged use might join the MDL.
• Individuals at risk of developing cancer: Claimants must normally develop an illness to recover money damages in product liability lawsuits. However, some high-risk claimants might seek compensation for continued medical and cancer monitoring if they used Zantac (ranitidine) daily over prolonged periods.
• Estate administrators/executors: Many cancers linked to Zantac have a poor prognosis, especially if discovered late. Families of patients who died from ranitidine-related cancers might file wrongful death claims against manufacturers.
• Legal guardians: Late-stage cancer treatments can completely incapacitate claimants, many of whom cannot reasonably participate in litigation. In such cases, an attorney may help spouses or next-of-kin obtain legal guardianship to file ranitidine litigation on behalf of impacted loved ones.

This process generally requires retaining a local mass tort lawyer to draft an individualized federal legal complaint. You may also discuss alternative options for recovering damages from ranitidine manufacturers and distributors, including private mediation or arbitration, with legal counsel. It’s important to contact local San Antonio lawyers with experience handling MDL and mass tort claims, as these cases differ from traditional lawsuits.

Damages Recoverable in San Antonio Pharmaceutical Product Liability Cases

Damages for illnesses linked to Zantac (ranitidine) may include both direct economic damages, like medical expenses, and indirect non-economic damages, such as mental anguish and impairment. Financial demands may also include reimbursement for previous expenses and money for future anticipated needs. Spouses and dependent minors might also demand damages in certain cases. Cancer treatments often result in hundreds of thousands in medical expenses and lost wages. Claimants with NDMA-related cancer frequently need assistance with daily activities, such as cooking and showering, and cannot drive themselves to medical appointments. Nausea, weight loss, brain fog, and overall anguish associated with cancer often necessitate additional medical care. In these cases, direct economic damages most often include:

• Hospital and emergency room bills
• Physician and surgeon costs
• Medications and pharmacy expenses
• Home nursing care
• Hospice and end-of-life care
• Long-term nursing home expenses
• Medical equipment and transportation (medical mileage)
• Physical and occupational rehabilitation
• Lost wages
• Lost business and career opportunities
• Lost employment benefits, like retirement contributions, sick leave, or healthcare premium payments
• Household assistance

San Antonio claimants might also recover non-economic (pain and suffering, mental anguish, impairment) damages after developing Zantac (ranitidine) related cancers and conditions. These non-economic damages assign a monetary value to the real emotional suffering, mental anguish, physical pain, and debilitating side effects commonly associated with cancer diagnosis and treatments. They might also include lost enjoyment of life damages and compensation for the daily frustrations and inconvenience associated with treating life-treating illnesses. Spouses and minor children might further demand loss of consortium and parental guidance damages. Juries often calculate non-economic awards by multiplying the plaintiff’s direct economic damages based on the overall seriousness of their condition. Experienced Zantac litigation lawyers in San Antonio commonly retain economic and medical experts to help claimants calculate the true value of their cases. Cases involving serious cancers necessitating treatment and surgery often result in six or seven-figure damages. Most viable mass tort claims result in the creation of settlement funds. Defense attorneys will generally propose a lump-sum settlement with recommended distributions based on each claimant’s actual financial losses and medical needs. With over 70,000 potential claimants to date and more likely to come, it’s important to have dedicated legal counsel looking out for your unique interests. San Antonio Zantac claimants without experienced local counsel on their side may not receive their fair share of any eventual settlement.

Cost of Retaining a San Antonio Zantac Mass Tort Litigation Attorney

Claimants suffering from serious ranitidine cancers already have enough expenses. As such, our product liability lawyers accept viable cases on a contingency fee basis. This means we don’t receive any fees unless you recover compensation from liable pharmaceutical companies or Zantac distributors. Generally, injury lawyers take about 40 percent of your overall injury settlement/verdict as their fee. Most product liability law firms also front all necessary litigation expenses and expert witness costs. However, fees can differ in mass tort cases when certain local attorneys handle the majority of procedural matters. Health and disability insurers might also demand reimbursement for prepaid medical expenses. In general, plaintiffs who successfully recover compensation in pharmaceutical product liability cases take home about half of their allocated settlements. Consider this example:

• Initial settlement offer: $75,000
• Accepted final settlement: $1 million
• Attorneys’ contingency fee: (40 percent of $1 million = $400,000)
• Balance: $600,000
• Litigation costs & expenses: $20,000
• Balance: $580,000
• Medical liens & reimbursements: $150,000
• Client take home settlement = $430,000

These numbers differ on a case-by-case basis, and our attorneys outline clear fee structures on our retainer agreements. If the fees seem high, represented claimants typically recover three to ten times more damages than unrepresented plaintiffs even after accounting for legal fees (as you can see in the example above). Because you don’t owe anything unless you recover compensation from Zantac or ranitidine manufacturers or distributors, you incur little risk when retaining our qualified Zantac MDL counsel at Wyatt Law Firm.

San Antonio Zantac FAQs

People rely on medications such as Zantac to make them feel better when they are ill. However, when certain medications do not get proper testing before they are made available to the public for purchase, they can cause more problems than they ultimately solve. For example, the medication might cause consumers to experience a severe allergic reaction or side effects after consuming the medication. At other times, the consumer might become seriously ill or even die as a result of taking the medication. If you or a person you love has been injured or ill because of a prescription or over-the-counter medication, such as Zantac, you might be eligible to pursue and recover monetary compensation in the form of damages. In many instances, victims of defective medications pursue compensation through a class action claim or lawsuit that involves numerous plaintiffs who are similarly situated. If you experienced an adverse reaction or long-term injury or illness after taking Zantac, after you see a doctor, consult an experienced attorney about your legal rights and options. The experienced San Antonio drug defect attorneys at the Wyatt Law Firm will review your unique situation and can let you know if you might be eligible to assert a claim for monetary compensation and damages. If so, we can then help you with every step of the legal process, which can be complicated for many people who are already dealing with life-changing cancer diagnoses. We are here to help.

What Is Zantac Used to Treat?

Zantac, which is also known as Ranitidine, is an over-the-counter medication that is popularly used to treat various types of stomach problems, including acid reflux and heartburn. Back in April of 2020, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) asked that Zantac be withdrawn from the market. This recall happened because testing showed extremely high carcinogen N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) levels present in the medication. In some instances, when individuals would consume Zantac, they would experience only minor side effects, including an upset stomach or dizziness. However, experts now know the ingredients used to make the drug can play a role in various types of cancer. Given the potential short and long-term side effects that are associated with taking Zantac regularly, affected consumers may be in a position to take part in an individual or class-action lawsuit against the manufacturer of the drug. If you or a person you care about experienced one or more of these serious side effects, speak with an experienced San Antonio drug defect attorney as soon as you receive medical care. The skilled legal team at the Wyatt Law Firm can explain your legal options to you in clear and easy-to-understand terms and can help you decide on the best course of action for proceeding forward with a product defect claim.

What Is a Drug Recall and When Does it Happen?

The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) can regulate the safety of various drugs, including Zantac, through drug recalls. In some instances, drugs like Zantac were on the market for a while before experts discovered the various health risks they presented. When that happens, several types of drug recalls might occur. The type of drug recall ultimately issued will depend upon the severity of the health risk to the general public. In some instances, a recall might occur because the drug involved violates an FDA manufacturing regulation or labeling regulation. At other times, drug recalls happen when the medication can cause temporary health problems. Finally, at other times, a drug recall might stem from a defective drug causing consumers serious health problems or even killing them. Although the FDA is the entity that issues the drug recall in certain circumstances, drug manufacturers also can initiate the drug recall process. In fact, drug recalls issued by manufacturers are more common than those the FDA issues. In many instances, the drug manufacturer wants to minimize its liability and media exposure to the greatest extent possible. Recalls can involve both prescription medications and over-the-counter drugs, like Zantac. If you regularly consumed a drug that was subject to a recall and if you are experiencing side effects or other impacts from the drug, your first move should be to contact a healthcare provider who can help you with your symptoms and work to alleviate the problem. In addition, speak with an experienced San Antonio drug defect lawyer at the Wyatt Law Firm. Your attorney will determine if you might be eligible to take legal action against the drug manufacturer as part of a class-action lawsuit.

How Are Drugs Like Zantac Defective?

Dangerous drugs can be defective in a variety of ways. In some instances, like in the case of Zantac, they can cause terrible short and long-term side effects. These side effects usually occur for one of two reasons: The drug did not undergo extensive testing before manufacturers sold it to the public, or there was a defect in the manufacturing process. Drugs are sometimes also defective when they do not come with the proper warnings, such as when drug labels are not sufficient to warn consumers of potential side effects associated with taking the drug. At other times, the warning may not be in the proper place on the container or packaging so that the consumer will notice and appreciate it. When scientists and other medical experts determine that a particular drug like Zantac is defective, a recall will typically be issued, and affected consumers might be eligible to bring a class action claim or lawsuit that seeks monetary compensation and damages for their injuries.

What Is a Products Liability Claim? How Do I File One?

A products liability case in San Antonio arises when a person suffers injuries due to a defective product, such as a drug. In many instances, as with Zantac, product liability cases are filed as part of a class-action lawsuit. Therefore, a group of similarly situated plaintiffs who have been adversely affected by drugs come together and file one lawsuit against the manufacturer or distributor of the drug. In a Texas product liability claim, the affected individual or individuals, called the plaintiffs, have the legal burden of proof. Essentially, they must demonstrate that there was a defect in the manufacturing or design process and that as a direct and proximate result of that defect, they suffered one or more injuries or illnesses. In a defective drug case, the defendant drug company does not need to prove anything. Rather, the burden of proof rests solely on the plaintiff or plaintiffs. If the trier of fact determines that the plaintiffs have satisfied their legal burden, then the damages the plaintiffs may recover may depend on their unique situation. For example, the damages available to a plaintiff who suffered a permanent illness or injury as a result of taking Zantac is likely to recover more monetary compensation than a user who simply experienced mild side effects after taking the drug. If you have taken Zantac and experienced side effects, it is important that you have knowledgeable legal representation on your side from the beginning. The knowledgeable San Antonio drug defect attorneys at the Wyatt Law Firm can determine if you are eligible to file a drug defect claim as part of a class action or as an individual. If you are eligible, our legal team can assist you with filing the claim and pursuing the monetary compensation that you deserve for your illness or injury.

How Long Do I Have to File a Products Liability Claim Under Texas Law?

In Texas, individuals injured by a defective drug do not have unlimited time to file a claim or lawsuit against the drug company. Drug recall cases, including those that involve Zantac, are subject to the Texas products liability statute of limitations. Under ordinary circumstances, an affected consumer must file a lawsuit within two years of the date on which the claim accrues. In a defective drug product liability case, the claim will accrue on the date when the consumer suffers some type of legal injury. In some instances, the statute of limitations can halt until the consumer knew or should have known about the facts that created a legal cause of action. Given the unforgiving time limits associated with statutes of limitation in the state of Texas, if you believe that you may have a product liability claim after taking Zantac or another defective drug, seek legal help as soon as possible. If a court determines that you did not file your claim or lawsuit within the necessary deadline, it could permanently bar you from seeking monetary recovery and damages for your injury or illness. The knowledgeable San Antonio drug defect attorneys at the Wyatt Law Firm will review the facts and circumstances of your case with you and ensure that your claim or lawsuit is filed well within the statute of limitations deadline applicable to your case.

What Happens After I File a Product Liability Claim in San Antonio?

After you file a products liability claim in a defective drug case, including one that involves Zantac, the insurance company might reach out to your attorney and offer a financial settlement. Since initial settlement offers in product liability and personal injury cases are usually very low, your lawyer will typically need to negotiate with the insurance company in hopes of obtaining a better offer on your behalf. In some cases, it becomes necessary to litigate the case. The litigation process begins when your attorney files a formal complaint against the drug company in court. Since Zantac and other drugs are regularly distributed throughout the country and are a part of interstate commerce, consumers often file these cases in federal court. Just because you decide to file a lawsuit, however, does not mean that the case will go all the way to trial. In fact, the majority of cases involving personal injuries and defective products settle outside of court. Throughout the litigation process, your lawyer can continue negotiating with the drug company’s insurer to see if the two parties can come to a resolution. If the matter still cannot be resolved favorably and the insurance company refuses to compensate you appropriately, there are several legal options available. First of all, the action may go to trial, in which case the trier of fact (usually the judge or jury) will decide the outcome of your case. Specifically, they will decide what, if any, monetary compensation you can recover in the case. Frequently in defective product cases, a neutral, third-party arbitrator might step in to resolve the legal matter. The arbitrator will hear the evidence and decide what, if any, damages to award you in the case. Damages in a product liability case are meant to compensate consumers for their medical treatment, lost earnings, and all of the pain, suffering, impairment, and inconvenience that they had to endure as a result of consuming the defective drug. If you have suffered an injury or illness after taking Zantac or another recalled drug, consult a knowledgeable San Antonio product liability attorney as soon as possible. The knowledgeable and skilled legal team at the Wyatt Law Firm can negotiate with the insurance company in hopes of pursuing a favorable settlement offer on your behalf. If that is not an option, and the insurance company refuses to compensate you appropriately, your lawyer can take the case to an arbitration proceeding or jury trial. We will zealously advocate for your legal rights and interests in court and pursue the compensation that you need and deserve.

Let Our San Antonio Zantac Attorneys Hold Zantac & Ranitidine Manufacturers Liable For Your Losses

Not every law firm can take on international pharmaceutical companies, but the San Antonio Zantac lawyers at Wyatt Law Firm have the experience their clients need. If you or a loved one developed cancer after prolonged use of Zantac or generic ranitidine medications, you might demand substantial compensation. Now is the time to file your Zantac MDL claims with the help of our San Antonio mass tort litigators. Injured claimants and their families might recover needed damages for the medical expenses, lost wages, and emotional anguish associated with debilitating cancers. Contact our San Antonio office immediately to schedule your free Zantac (ranitidine) case analysis by calling (210) 340-5550 or connect with us online. Remember, we don’t receive payment unless you recover your needed compensation.

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