Jill Kolodner | July 6, 2022 | Product Liability
Thousands of people have filed Valsartan lawsuits alleging that defective lots of the drug caused some to develop cancer after taking the medication. The lawsuits seek compensation for damages caused by the defective drug.
Product liability lawyers in Baltimore represent clients in lawsuits against the drug manufacturers, drug stores, retailers, and other parties involved in making, distributing, and selling Valsartan.
Valsartan Recalled Because of Contamination by NDMA
Valsartan is a blood pressure medication. It is used to treat congestive heart failure and hypertension and is widely prescribed in the United States.
In July 2018, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a recall of angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs). The recall included Valsartan, Irbesartan, and Losartan. However, the recall only affected specific lots of the medications.
The FDA discovered that specific lots of medication contained NDMA (N-nitrosodimethylamine). Exposure to NDMA can cause serious health risks, including cancer. It has been identified as a probable human carcinogen.
The FDA provides a search list of recalled angiotensin II receptor blockers, including Valsartan. The FDA recommends contacting your physician to discuss whether or not your medication is part of the recall and any potential adverse events related to the defective drug.
What Are the Effects of Exposure to NDMA in Valsartan?
Acute exposure to NDMA can cause severe liver damage. The symptoms include vomiting, nausea, headaches, swelling, fatigue, jaundice, and low platelet counts. It can also cause white, chalky stools, loss of appetite, unexplained weight loss, and upper abdominal pain.
Exposure to NDMA is also associated with multiple types of cancer, including:
- Liver cancer
- Kidney cancer
- Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
- Stomach cancer
- Leukemia
- Cancer of the gastrointestinal tract
- Pancreatic cancer
- Colon cancer
- Multiple myeloma
- Prostate cancer
- Esophageal cancer
If you sustained liver damage or were diagnosed with cancer after taking Valsartan or any of its generic versions, you should immediately contact a Baltimore Valsartan lawsuit lawyer. You could be entitled to compensation from one or more parties. Family members could also be entitled to compensation for wrongful death if a loved one died from cancer after taking the drug.
What is the Status of the Valsartan Lawsuits?
Because of the number of lawsuits, the court created Multidistrict litigation (MDL) to manage them. The Valsartan MDL is consolidated in New Jersey.
An MDL is not a class-action lawsuit. Instead, it merely consolidates the cases in one court for efficiency during the discovery and pre-trial phases. Then, each case is heard on its own merits by a jury chosen for that case.
The lawsuits allege several causes of action under product liability law against numerous defendants.
The lawsuits allege:
- Manufacturing defects
- Strict liability for defective products
- Inadequate and/or improper Black Box Labels
- Breach of implied and/or express warranties
- Fraud
- Failure to warn consumers of the potential for severe injury, harm, or death
Drug manufacturers can be held strictly liable for damages caused by defective products. Therefore, you do not need to prove that the company intended to harm you or was negligent. The pharmaceutical company can be held liable if you prove that it manufactured and sold a defective product.
What Damages Could I Receive for a Valsartan Lawsuit?
Product liability laws allow injured parties to seek compensation for monetary losses, physical injuries, and emotional suffering.
Examples of economic damages in a defective drug lawsuit include:
- The cost of medical treatment to treat the cancer or other medical condition caused by the defective drug
- Expenses related to in-home nursing care or long-term nursing care
- Travel expenses to and from medical appointments and treatment
- Out-of-pockets expenses for personal care, household services, and other costs
- Loss of income and benefits, including future decreases in earning potential and lost wages
In addition to the financial losses incurred because of the defective medication, injured parties may also seek compensation for non-economic damages.
These damages include:
- Emotional distress and mental anguish
- Physical pain and suffering
- Disfigurement and scarring
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Permanent impairments and disability
- Diminished quality of life
It is crucial to hold big pharma accountable for the pain and damages caused by their negligence, intentional acts, and other wrongdoing.
If you are unsure whether you have a Valsartan cancer claim, talk with a Baltimore product liability lawyer. An attorney will evaluate your case, explain your legal rights, and answer your questions about product liability claims.
However, the time to file Valsartan lawsuits is limited. Therefore, it is best to seek legal advice as soon as possible to avoid losing your right to file a claim and recover compensation for the harm and damages caused by this defective and dangerous drug.
Contact the Baltimore Product Liability Law Firm of WGK Personal Injury Lawyers Today For Help
For more information, contact the Baltimore product liability law firm of WGK Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free initial consultation with a personal injury expert.
WGK Personal Injury Lawyers
14 W Madison St, Baltimore, MD 21201, United States
(410) 837-2144
WGK Personal Injury Lawyers – Dundalk Office
7329 Holabird Ave Suite 3, Dundalk, MD 21222
(410) 970-3080