Valsartan Lawsuit

Paul Brannon | September 26, 2022 | Personal Injury

High blood pressure is a common health condition treated by medication. A popular drug used to treat congestive heart failure and hypertension is Valsartan, also known by its brand name Diovan. Millions of Americans take Valsartan to lower blood pressure, prevent kidney malfunction from diabetes, and prevent stroke. 

Valsartan is an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB). ARBs relax blood vessels to allow blood to flow more freely. The medication became a widely prescribed treatment because it appeared to have fewer side effects, even though it was less effective than other medications used to treat heart failure, hypertension, and other related conditions.

Unfortunately, Valsartan contaminated pills manufactured in China were linked to increased cancer cases. The pills contained n-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), a probable human carcinogen. 

FDA Announces Voluntary Recall of Valsartan Products

On July 13, 2018, the FDA issued a press release announcing the recall of some products containing Valsartan (FDA updates are located here). Traces of NDMA had been discovered in Valsartan during the manufacturing process. Exposure to elevated levels of NDMA has been linked with the risk of developing cancer.

As a result, individuals begin filing Valsartan cancer lawsuits against Zhejiang Huahai Pharmaceuticals. The lawsuits alleged:

  • A manufacturing defect led to the NDMA contamination of Valsartan pills and tablets
  • Failure to warn consumers of potential harm, injury, or death
  • Improper or inadequate Black Box warnings and labeling to identify life-threatening side effects

Thousands of Valsartan lawsuits were filed against drug manufacturers and retailers alleging fraud, failure to warn, breach of warranty, strict liability, negligence, and other causes of action. The courts consolidated the lawsuits into a multi-district litigation (MDL) in New Jersey. 

The Valsartan MDL is still pending. None of the cases have gone to trial or settled as of yet. 

Valsartan NDMA Exposure and Cancer

Exposure to NDMA can cause liver damage. Symptoms of liver damage include:

  • Jaundice
  • Vomiting
  • Swelling
  • Lose platelet counts
  • Fatigue
  • Headaches
  • Nausea
  • Abdominal pain
  • Unexplained weight loss
  • Loss of appetite
  • Chalky or white stools

In addition to liver damage, exposure to NDMA has also been associated with a higher risk of developing certain types of cancer. NDMA exposure can increase your risk of developing:

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

Contact a Fort Walton Beach Valsartan lawsuit attorney if you were diagnosed with liver damage or cancer damage after taking Valsartan. You could be entitled to compensation for your injuries and damages. However, your time to file a Valsartan lawsuit is limited by the statute of limitations, so don’t delay seeking legal advice. 

What Damages Could You Receive for a Valsartan Lawsuit?

People harmed or injured because of a defective drug can seek compensation for their damages by filing a product liability lawsuit. The damages they can receive depend on the facts of their case. 

However, defective drug claims often include claims for economic damages. These damages represent the financial losses sustained by the victims, including:

  • The initial cost of diagnosing the harm or health condition
  • Medical treatment for the injuries or health conditions caused by the defective drug
  • Reimbursement for in-home and long-term nursing care 
  • The loss of wages, benefits, salaries, and other forms of income
  • Expenses related to household services and personal care 
  • Out-of-pocket expenses and costs related to the injury, treatment, and recovery
  • Diminished earning capacity and future lost wages
  • Ongoing medical bills and expenses 

The individuals harmed by Valsartan and other defective drugs can also seek compensation for their non-economic damages. These damages represent the pain and suffering caused by the defective drugs and include:

  • Emotional distress and mental anguish
  • Loss of enjoyment of life
  • Permanent disability and impairment
  • A decrease in the person’s quality of life
  • Physical suffering, discomfort, and pain
  • Scarring and disfigurement 

Some defective drug lawsuits seek punitive damages. These damages “punish” defendants for their gross negligence or intentional conduct. However, not all claims justify an award of punitive damages. 

The value of a Valsartan cancer claim depends on the facts of your case. The Valsartan lawsuits in the MDL action are tried separately on their own merits. Therefore, a different jury will decide each case that proceeds to trial.

Do You Have a Claim for Injuries or Cancer Caused by Contaminated Valsartan?

If you took Valsartan to treat hypertension, heart failure, or other conditions, you should immediately talk to a physician. A doctor can evaluate your risk and also screen you for cancer.

The best way to know if you have a claim is to talk to a Fort Walton Beach Valsartan lawyer. A lawyer can assess your situation to determine if you could have a claim against the drug manufacturer and other parties for being exposed to NDMA by taking contaminated Valsartan medication.

Contact Our Personal Injury Law Firm in Northwest Florida

If you need legal assistance, contact the Fort Walton personal injury lawyers at Brannon & Brannon Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers at your nearest location to schedule a free consultation today.

We have two convenient locations in Northwest Florida:

Brannon & Brannon Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers – Destin Office
4507 Furling Ln Suite 214
Destin, FL 32541
(850) 790-0243

Brannon & Brannon Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers – Fort Walton Beach Office
975 Mar Walt Dr
Fort Walton Beach, FL 32547
(850) 863-5297