At the Krause and Kinsman Law Firm, we have been at the forefront of the fight for justice on behalf of individuals who took Zantac and developed cancer as a result. For nearly five years, we’ve been tirelessly battling some of the world’s largest pharmaceutical companies to hold them accountable for the dangerous effects of their products. Our dedicated team of attorneys is proud to represent those who have suffered from the cancer risks associated with Zantac, and we continue to work toward securing the compensation and justice our clients deserve.
With that said, we’d like to provide you with some important updates on the ongoing Zantac litigation and the recent developments in the case.
$2.2 Billion Settlement: A Major Step Forward
In a significant development, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), the maker of Zantac, has reached a $2.2 billion settlement to resolve around 80,000 lawsuits in U.S. courts. These lawsuits involve individuals who have alleged that their cancer was caused by using Zantac, which contains ranitidine, a drug that has been linked to the formation of NDMA, a known carcinogen.
The settlement resolves 93% of the claims against GSK, with the agreement covering individuals who have suffered from cancers such as bladder, stomach, esophageal, and liver cancer. However, it’s important to note that GSK has not admitted any wrongdoing as part of this agreement.
Here are the key takeaways from this settlement:
- The Settlement Amount: GSK has agreed to pay $2.2 billion to resolve claims related to the cancer risks associated with Zantac.
- No Admission of Wrongdoing: GSK has not admitted any liability in connection with the settlement.
- Impact on Claims: This settlement represents a major step in the Zantac litigation, but for those whose claims are not part of this settlement, the litigation will continue.
For those who are part of this settlement, the process will now shift to determining individual compensation amounts, which will depend on the specific details of each case. We will be in touch with these clients on next steps regarding their case.
Recent Zantac Mistrial: Boehringer Ingelheim Case
In another important development, a California state judge declared a mistrial in a product liability case against Boehringer Ingelheim, another company involved in the production of Zantac. This case centered around a bladder cancer survivor who alleged that Boehringer had failed to warn consumers about the cancer risks of its Zantac heartburn medication.
After seven days of deliberation, the jury found that Zantac was dangerous and that Boehringer had failed to properly warn about its risks. However, the jury was divided 6-6 on whether the drug had substantially contributed to the individual’s cancer, leading to a mistrial being declared by the judge.
While a mistrial doesn’t result in an immediate verdict, there are some positive aspects to this outcome:
- Strong Jury Findings: The jury was unanimous in their conclusion that Boehringer had been negligent in failing to warn consumers about the dangers of Zantac.
- Causation Issue: The split verdict was based on a case-specific issue—whether Zantac had substantially contributed to the individual’s cancer. While the case ended in a mistrial, the jury’s strong stance on the company’s negligence is a positive sign for future litigation.
This mistrial shows that juries are finding significant grounds for liability against the makers of Zantac, and it may pave the way for stronger cases moving forward.
What Does This Mean for Zantac Lawsuits?
The GSK settlement and the recent Boehringer mistrial both represent important developments in the ongoing Zantac litigation.
- For those involved in the settlement: If your case is part of the $2.2 billion settlement, the next steps will focus on determining how much compensation you may be eligible to receive. This is a positive development for many individuals whose claims are now moving toward resolution.
- For others pursuing litigation: The mistrial in the Boehringer case highlights that there is still strong momentum in holding companies accountable for their failure to warn the public about the dangers of Zantac.
As always, we at Krause and Kinsman Law Firm are closely monitoring these developments and will continue to fight for justice for those who have been affected by Zantac.
Stay tuned for further updates as the litigation continues to unfold.
