Huge Payouts Expected for Zantac Class-Action Suits
If your firm is currently pursuing clients who have been diagnosed with cancer after taking Zantac, you are not alone. The competition is fierce for attorneys who wish to take on class-action lawsuits against the drug’s manufacturer, Sanofi.
Lawyers are predicting a massive number of lawsuits – and even bigger payouts. One firm, which won $289 million and $2 billion Roundup® verdicts, is expecting litigation to “dwarf what [it] saw in Roundup.” If you are one of the fortunate lawyers who get to take on a mass tort against Sanofi, you should be prepared for the hefty contingency fees that may be coming your way.
But first, let’s talk about Zantac.
What Happened with Zantac?
In September of 2019, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) was alerted to unacceptable amounts of N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) in the heartburn medication, ranitidine. Ranitidine is the active ingredient in the popular heartburn medication, Zantac, and countless generic versions in pharmacies nationwide.
NDMA testing led to Walgreens, CVS, and other drug providers taking all brands of ranitidine off their shelves and a series of manufacturers issuing voluntary recalls of their products. Sanofi was one of the last manufacturers to cooperate, recalling Zantac on October 18, 2019. While the FDA is fastidiously testing each ranitidine drug on the market, its Canadian counterpart, Health Canada, has asked all companies to stop distributing ranitidine drugs, stating:
“Current evidence suggests that NDMA may be present in ranitidine, regardless of the manufacturer.”
Officials in France have taken a similar stance, recalling all ranitidine products in the nation.
What Is NDMA?
N-nitrosodimethylamine is an environmental contaminant found in our food and water. It is especially prevalent in dairy products, vegetables, and grilled meats. Most importantly, NDMA is classified as a “probable human carcinogen” by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
In small doses, NDMA is unlikely to cause cancer, however, some ranitidine products have exceeded the acceptable daily intake limit of 96 nanograms per day or 0.32 parts per million. Extended exposure to heightened levels of NDMA can allow the harmful substance to build-up and cause cancer.
This means anyone who receives a cancer diagnosis after taking Zantac or another ranitidine medication is a potential plaintiff.
Prepare for Your Case with Structures
If your class-action Zantac case yields similar results to Roundup® litigation, you could be looking at up to hundreds of millions of dollars in contingency fees. Receiving this payment in a lump sum can lead to you paying taxes in a lump sum and losing much of the settlement you earned on behalf of your clients and your firm.
At Structures, our program, Fee Structure Plus®, can help you find a better solution. We offer:
- Income tax deferral,
- Diversification of funds,
- Market-related returns,
- Periodic payments, and
- Open architecture solutions.
Whether you are anticipating a lucrative Zantac settlement or accepting other notable contingency fees, our team of consultants and advisors would love to discuss your options with you at (844) 382-8358 or online.