Over the last year, information has come out that ranitidine, known by the brand name Zantac, has been contaminated with a potentially cancer-causing material. Since the information came to light, there have been more than 100 lawsuits against the makers of the medication. Recently, these lawsuits were consolidated and put under one judge in order to expedite the process. At Colson Hicks Eidson, our nationally-recognized team wants to discuss the status conference phase of these cases and how this could affect future lawsuits related to Zantac and cancer.
What Is The Progress Of These Cases?
We have recently reported that the U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (JPML) ordered a consolidation of all Zantac lawsuits that were filed federally. These consolidated cases were sent to the Southern District of FloridaDistrict Judge Robin L. Rosenberg. Judge Rosenberg ordered a status conference on these cases for March 20, 2020.
What is a status conference?
A status conference is when the judge and the lawyers meet together to discuss all aspects of the pending legal matter to determine how the case is progressing. The judge may ask about:
- What discovery has been conducted in the case so far
- Whether the parties have tried to settle the case
- Other pretrial issues
At a status conference, the judge may also schedule dates for any pretrial motions, for the completion of discovery, and for the trial.
A Reminder Of How Zantac Could Cause Harm
As of this writing, there have been more than 140 federal cases filed against the makers of Zantac, and more cases are expected to be filed in the coming months. Plaintiffs in these cases say that the manufacturer did not warn consumers of the potential dangers of using the heartburn medication and that they concealed knowledge that it could potentially cause cancer.
After testing by an independent pharmaceutical company, it was discovered that there were very high amounts of a probably human carcinogen N-Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) in Zantac. The FDA quickly issued a recall for the medication. Researchers discovered that in tests of those who took the 150 mg tablet of Zantac, urinary NDMA levels increased from 110 to 47,600 nanograms, well above the FDA’s set safe daily limit of 96 nanograms.
We Are Ready To Get You Through This
If you or someone you care about has been diagnosed with cancer and you suspect it was caused by taking Zantac, you need to speak to an attorney as soon as possible. At Colson Hicks Eidson, you can count on us to investigate every aspect of your case. Our goal is to secure the compensation you deserve, which can include:
- Cost of any medical bills related to the cancer
- Lost income and benefits if you cannot work
- Pain and suffering damages
- Loss of enjoyment of life damages
- Possible punitive damages against Zantac’s manufacturer, Sanofi
When you need a trusted and award-winning product liability attorney in Florida or anywhere in the US, you can contact us for a free consultation by clicking here or by calling us at 305-476-7400.
