If you or a loved one used Valsartan and developed cancer as a result, you may go after the company for damages. The Valsartan lawyers at Babin Law, LLC in Columbus, Ohio may be able to represent you in your product defect lawsuit.
As a consumer, you expect that a prescribed medication should work as intended and solve problems, not create new ones. Unfortunately, this does not always hold true.
Although products are FDA-approved when they hit the market, the organization does not always have time to fully test products. They leave it up to the pharmaceutical companies to do the testing.
Companies who make the products may not test adequately or may alter the results. Because of this, the products they release can do more harm than good.
Valsartan is an antihypertensive drug used to treat high blood pressure and heart failure. Recently, it has been found that it may cause cancer.
What is Valsartan?
Valsartan is a medication used to treat high blood pressure and heart failure. It has also been shown to improve the likelihood of living after a heart attack. It can also lower the chances of going to the hospital after heart failure.
The medication belongs to the angiotensin receptor blockers drug class. It works by relaxing blood vessels to improve blood flow. This results in low blood pressure and a reduced risk of strokes, heart attacks, and kidney problems.
Valsartan Issues
Valisure, the company that manufactures Valsartan, alerted the Food and Drug Administration that dimethylformamide (DMF) had been found in the medication. DMF is considered a probable human carcinogen by the World Health Organization and American Cancer Society. People who have taken Valsartan, Losartan, and other blood pressure medications have developed the following cancers:
- Liver cancer
- Pancreatic cancer
- Bladder cancer
- Colon cancer
- Kidney cancer
- Stomach cancer
Additionally, many plaintiffs claim that batches of Valsartan have been contaminated with the cancer-causing toxins N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) and N-Nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA) and/or N-Methylnitrosobutyric acid (NMBA). As a result, medications containing Valsartan have been recalled.
Those who filed claims against the product are seeking damages for manufacturing defects, failure to warn, design defects, corporate negligence, and consumer fraud. They are looking to be compensated for medical expenses, emotional and physical pain and suffering, and punitive damages.
Why is Drug Litigation Necessary?
When a company produces contaminated products that cause injuries, a lawsuit is the only way to keep the medication off the market. In addition to getting compensation for the victim, it can also prevent others from getting sick. It causes the organization to take action by making the product safe or removing it from shelves.
How are Valsartan Cases Handled?
Pharmaceutical cases are quite complex. They involve regulation, science, and questions of law across various jurisdictions. They become centralized in the federal multidistrict litigation process. They are not typically class action lawsuits, but they are very similar.
Due to the volume of the Valsartan cases being filed, most are being dealt with through Multidistrict Litigation which is guided by the Judicial Panel for Multidistrict Litigation where the case is centralized for the purposes of pre-trial discovery.
The MDL process is used when there are common questions of fact in multiple cases pending in different courts. While there are often similar state proceedings, the MDL process is supported by both plaintiffs and defendants. It allows for increased efficiency when it comes to processing millions of documents and testimonies.
MDLs are not assigned based on a specific number of cases filed, but motions are reviewed by the Multidistrict Litigation to determine if the assignation is necessary.
Has My Medication Been Recalled?
If you are taking a blood pressure medication, it is important to find out if it has been recalled. That way, you can stop taking a product that is potentially harmful. You can check on the status of your medication by asking your doctor or checking the FDA website.
The Drug Label and the FDA
If a product is dangerous, companies are required to reveal harmful side effects on the label. However, many do not for fear that it will harm sales.
The FDA is too busy to review every product and leaves it up to pharma to do their own testing. However, a government approval does not protect the company from the law. If the organization does not properly warn of side effects, they may be liable for damages.
It is important to note that the FDA and government do not provide compensation in medical product injury cases. Plaintiffs must seek damages through the company itself.
What Kind of Compensation Can I Receive for My Valsartan Lawsuit?
The compensation you receive for your Valsartan lawsuit will vary depending on your personal situation and the extent of your injuries. Here is what you may be looking at.
Economic Damages: Economic damages cover loss of wages for time taken off work to recover. They may also compensate the victim if they are unable to go back to work due to their injuries or if their injuries cause them to take a lower paying position.
Noneconomic Damages: A drug injury can greatly reduce quality of life causing physical and emotional pain and suffering. It is difficult to put a monetary value on these nontangible elements, but your lawyer will use his or her years of experience to come up with an amount that is fair.
How Could Babin Law Help With Your Ohio Valsartan Lawsuit?
Going up against big pharma is intimidating. A good lawyer will stand up to them, and fight on your behalf.Â
Babin Law, LLC has years of experience with product defects and personal injury cases. They know the ins and outs of the law and they have what it takes to go against big business. They will fight relentlessly to see to it that justice is served.
If you took Valsartan and got sick as a result, do not hesitate to call Babin Law to schedule a free consultation. We will provide you with the care and respect you deserve. If retained, we will do all we can to get you a positive outcome.Â
