Valsartan Lawsuit

Perenich, Caulfield, Avril & Noyes Personal Injury Lawyers | Product Liability

Valsartan Lawsuit

Many people throughout the United States take blood pressure medications. Valsartan (Diovan) is a popular medication that treats hypertension and congestive heart failure. Unfortunately, some lots of Valsartan may have been contaminated with a substance known to cause cancer.

What Is Valsartan?

Valsartan or Diovan (brand name) is prescribed to treat high blood pressure, heart failure, and other related health conditions. The medication is an ARB or angiotensin II receptor blocker. 

ARBs relax blood vessels so that blood flows more freely throughout the body. Many doctors prescribe Valsartan because it has fewer side effects than other medications. 

Valsartan Contaminated with NDMA

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) stated in a press release on July 13, 2018, that some products containing Valsartan were being recalled. The FDA posts updates about Valsartan recalls here.

Traces of NDMA were discovered in some of the Valsartan pills manufactured in China. NDMA (n-nitrosodimethylamine) is a known probable human carcinogen. Exposure to NDMA has been linked with an increased risk of developing cancer.

Valsartan Lawsuits Filed Alleging Various Causes of Action 

Individuals who had taken Valsartan and developed cancer or other health issues filed lawsuits seeking compensation for damages. The lawsuits allege several key issues, including but not limited to the following:

  • Failure to warn individuals of the potential for injury, harm, or death 
  • A manufacturing defect resulted in Valsartan products being contaminated with NDMA
  • Inadequate labeling and Black Box warnings to notify consumers of life-threatening side effects 

To date, thousands of lawsuits are pending against the drug manufacturer, Zhejiang Huahai Pharmaceuticals, and other parties. The lawsuits allege that the defendants are guilty of negligence, failure to warn, strict liability, fraud, breach of warranty, and other wrongdoing. 

Because of the large number of Valsartan lawsuits, the courts consolidated the lawsuits into a multidistrict litigation case. As a result, the Valsartan MDL is being tried through the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey. The presiding judges are Robert B. Kugler and Joel Schneider.

None of the Valsartan cases have gone to trial yet, and there have been no settlements to date. 

There are deadlines for filing Valsartan lawsuits and claims. If you took Valsartan and developed cancer or other health issues, immediately talk with a Clearwater Valsartan lawsuit attorney. You could be entitled to compensation for the harm you sustained because of contaminated Valsartan pills.

Talk to your doctor immediately if you have concerns about Valsartan. If necessary, your physician can evaluate your risk and screen you for cancer. 

Injuries and Cancer Caused by Taking Contaminated Valsartan 

All medications have side effects. Therefore, always talk with your physician and read the information given with the medication to learn about the potential side effects and risks of taking prescription drugs.

However, when drugs are contaminated with foreign substances, they can cause damage and harm in addition to the known side effects. Exposure to NDMA can cause severe liver damage. Symptoms of liver damage include:

  • Vomiting
  • Abdominal pain
  • White or chalky stools
  • Jaundice
  • Headaches
  • Swelling
  • Nausea
  • Low platelet counts
  • Unexplained weight loss and/or loss of appetite
  • Fatigue

If you experience any symptoms of liver damage or other side effects, talk with your doctor immediately. Waiting to seek medical advice could result in your condition worsening or becoming life-threatening.

Unfortunately, in addition to damaging the liver, NDMA increases the risk of developing specific types of cancer. Exposure to NDMA can increase the risk of developing:

  • Liver cancer
  • Stomach cancer
  • Colon cancer
  • Kidney cancer
  • Multiple myeloma
  • Prostate cancer
  • Leukemia
  • Cancer of the gastrointestinal tract
  • Esophageal cancer
  • Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma

Talk with a Clearwater Valsartan lawsuit attorney if you received a cancer diagnosis after taking Valsartan. A defective drug lawyer can evaluate your case to determine whether you might have a product liability claim or another personal injury claim.

Damages Recoverable for a Valsartan Lawsuit 

Individuals who developed cancer or other conditions after taking Valsartan could be entitled to compensation for their economic and non-economic damages. The damages and the amount they receive depend on the facts of their case

However, the types of damages a person might receive for a defective drug lawsuit include:

If your loved one died from cancer after taking Valsartan, your family could be entitled to compensation for your loss under wrongful death laws. The parties responsible for contaminated Valsartan should be held responsible for the damages and harm their negligence and wrongdoing have caused. 

Contact the Clearwater Product Liability Law Firm At Perenich, Caulfield, Avril & Noyes Personal Injury Lawyers for Help

For more information, please contact the Clearwater and St. Petersburg product liability law firm of Perenich, Caulfield, Avril & Noyes Personal Injury Lawyers at the nearest location to schedule a free consultation today.

We serve in Pinellas County and its surrounding areas:

Perenich, Caulfield, Avril & Noyes Personal Injury Lawyers – Clearwater
1875 N Belcher Rd. STE 201,
Clearwater, FL 33765,
United States
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(727) 796-8282

Perenich, Caulfield, Avril & Noyes Personal Injury Lawyers – St. Petersburg
2560 1st Ave S,
St. Petersburg, FL 33712,
United States
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(727) 349-1728