Fort Lauderdale Zantac Attorneys

Handling Pharmaceutical Malpractice Claims Nationwide

The Law Offices of John D. Ameen, P.A. has experience handling a variety of product liability claims, including those that involve pharmaceutical malpractice. Though we expect the medication we’re prescribed and use to not only be safe, but to make our health conditions better, sometimes this doesn’t always happen. People can take medications for years, only to experience adverse side effects and complications that can put their health in danger. One of these medications that are being removed from shelves across the U.S. is the heartburn drug known as Zantac. If you or a loved one has developed cancer after using this medication, call out Zantac attorneys in Fort Lauderdale immediately. We’re available 24/7 to get you the caring and professional legal counsel you need during this dark and stressful time and seek justice for your pain and damages.

For a free consultation, reach out to our team online or call 954-763-4950. We’re pleased to offer Spanish and Creole language options in addition to English.

What is Zantac?

Zantac is the brand name for ranitidine, which is a known H2 (histamine-2) blocker that works to treat heartburn, ulcers, and other stomach and throat problems by decreasing the amount of acid the stomach produces. Zantac is available both over the counter and by prescription, and has been accessible to patients for over 30 years and was even endorsed by the World Health Organization (WHO). It came as a shock to many, then, when the FDA announced the presence of a suspected carcinogen known as N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) in Zantac in September 2019. NDMA is a chemical that has been proven to increase the risk of cancer, and overexposure to the carcinogen has been linked to symptoms like vomiting, jaundice, fever, dizziness, and abdominal cramps. Pharmaceutical companies like Novartis and Apotex have since recalled all of their generic ranitidine products sold in the United States.

Determining Your Eligibility

Since the FDA’s announcement, thousands of people across the country have joined lawsuits filed against various Zantac drug manufacturers for failing to warn consumers about the drug’s dangerous, potentially cancer-causing effects. If you’re wondering whether you’re eligible to file a claim, there are certain components you must satisfy that our lawyers can help you with. Eligibility is determined based on the following elements:

• You have proof that you’ve taken Zantac: This can come in the form of medical records that show your primary physician prescribed the drug to you, receipts from your drug purchase, and other documents.
• You were diagnosed with cancer: You must be able to show that you were diagnosed with cancer after taking Zantac for a certain length of time. This is necessary to show the link between your cancer and Zantac use.
• You must clearly prove your Zantac use is tied to your diagnosis: This is the trickiest element to prove. Though Zantac is often prescribed for short-term use, some people take it over long periods of time, which can increase your chances of developing cancer. If you can prove you were on Zantac for a long period of time and later developed cancer, you might have a valid claim.

There are a variety of cancers that can develop from prolonged Zantac use. If you’ve been diagnosed with liver cancer, leukemia, pancreatic cancer, prostate cancer, stomach cancer, bladder cancer, kidney cancer, multiple myeloma, small intestine cancer, esophageal cancer, or non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, you might qualify to take legal action.

Damages We Can Recover

By filing a personal injury claim against Zantac manufacturers or distributors, you may be able to recover compensation to cover the costs of your damages. Our lawyers believe consumers who have been wronged and misled deserve justice, and pharmaceutical companies shouldn’t be let off the hook for their malpractice and negligence. The amount we can recover for you depends on a range of factors, such as the type and severity of your cancer. We can help you calculate the extent of your damages based on other factors, such as Zantac’s short and long-term effects on your health, quality of life, and finances. Some of the damages we’ve collected for clients include:

• Medical bills, both emergency and long-term costs (hospital bills, medications, at-home nursing care, and more)
• Lost wages or income
• Pain and suffering
• Burial or funeral expenses (in a wrongful death claim)

Our lawyers have experience handling product liability claims and can meet with you personally to determine whether you qualify to file a claim against a Zantac manufacturer. To learn more, contact our office at 954-763-4950.