What Valsartan Victims Need to Know About Getting Compensation
Valsartan (Diovan) is a prescription medication that is most frequently used to treat high blood pressure, certain heart problems, and kidney disease.
It is one of the more popular medications in the United States. According to recent research, there were 8.5 million valsartan prescriptions issued in 2016 alone — making it the 92nd most prescribed medication in the country.
Sadly, we now know that a large number of generic valsartan batches have been contaminated by toxic substances. In July of 2018, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced initial recalls for many medicines containing the active ingredient in valsartan. The announcement followed the detection of an impurity.
At the Sonn Law Group, our valsartan lawsuit attorneys are effective and aggressive advocates for injured victims and their loved ones. If you or your family member developed cancer, liver damage, or any other type of serious medical condition, and you believe that these complications are related to valsartan, it is imperative that you seek immediate legal guidance. Negligent companies must be held liable for putting dangerous, defective, or contaminated prescription drugs on the market.
Cancer or liver damage from Valsartan? We want to hear about it.
Valsartan Lawsuits
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Valsartan Lawsuits: Understanding the Basics
Originally patented in back in 1990, valsartan first came into medical use in the United States starting in 1996. You may also know this drug as Diovan, as it is often marketed under that trade name. Novartis — a Swiss-based multinational pharmaceutical company — is the manufacturer of Diovan, the brand name version of this drug.
In its internal reports, the company notes that it sells $2 billion worth of valsartan in the United States and $6 billion globally each year. Though, as valsartan is a generic drug, it is manufactured by other companies as well. Most importantly, this includes a Chinese company called Zhejiang Huahai Pharmaceutical (ZHP).
The valsartan recall is based on evidence that there was a serious contamination in the manufacturing of the drug. Please note that this problem is still being actively investigated by federal regulators in the United States and other regulators around the world. At this point, there is already very strong evidence linking valsartan manufactured by ZHP to the contamination.
Alarmingly, many major U.S. drug makers use valsartan obtained from ZHP in other medications. In fact, more than a dozen drug manufacturers are connected to the valsartan recall. The FDA has published a full list of the valsartan products that have been recalled after serious safety concerns.
Linking Valsartan to Cancer and Liver Damage
The primary issue in this case is that certain batches of valsartan have been contaminated with known carcinogens. The safety problem is not merely linked to the United States. Authorities believe that the contaminated batches originated in China or India. At least two dozen countries have issued product recalls related to serious worries of valsartan cancer, valsartan liver damage, and valsartan kidney disease. For instance, the European Medical Agency issued a recall.
The chemical impurity that was discovered in valsartan testing is known N-nitrosodimethylamine, or more simply NDMA. For reference, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) classifies NDMA as a probable human carcinogen. It is used in things like jet fuel and other heavy industrial products.
It is also a byproduct of certain pesticides and dangerous manufacturing processes. Simply put, NDMA is very unsafe for human consumption. Unfortunately, this carcinogen has been linked to cancer, liver damage, and kidney disease. It has been discovered in the contaminated valsartan.
Valsartan Contamination and 2018 FDA Recall
In the summer of 2018, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued an initial recall for contaminated valsartan and related medications. The impure valsartan does not meet the strict drug safety standards required by United States law. The preliminary investigation into this contamination and the recall has brought some distributing information to life: the FDA believes that impurities can be linked to a change in how the generic manufacturer ZHP produced this drug.
This change occurred back in 2012. In other words, dangerous valsartan may have been on the U.S. market for at least six years before it was discovered. Many people have been unknowingly and unwittingly taking these potentially dangerous and defective contaminated drugs.
A valsartan recall lawsuit is now being filed by many victims and their family members. In December of 2018, the FDA released an official warning to Zhejiang Huahai Pharmaceutical — requiring the company to produce additional information to victims. As quoted in the press release, the company is currently subject to an “ongoing FDA investigation into probable cancer-causing impurities.” Patients who took these dangerous drugs and then developed cancer, liver damage, or kidney problems are encouraged to consult with an experienced attorney right away. You may have a viable legal claim.
Compensation Available Through a Valsartan Lawsuit
If you or your family member suffered harm as a result of taking valsartan, you deserve justice. Financial compensation may be available for economic damages and for any intangible losses. Our valsartan lawsuit attorneys are standing by, ready to help you take the proper steps to get the maximum available financial compensation. Money damages may be available for:
- Emergency room care;
- Medical expenses;
- Physical therapy/rehabilitative treatment;
- Loss of current and future wages;
- Pain and suffering;
- Mental anguish;
- Permanent disfigurement;
- Long term disability; and
- Wrongful death.
Unfortunately, contaminated valsartan is now being linked to deaths. Life-threatening cancers may be associated with the defective batches of valsartan. Wrongful death lawsuits have been filed in valsartan cases in several jurisdictions across the United States. If your family member died of cancer, liver damage, or kidney disease after taking valsartan, you should speak to an experienced attorney. Our law firm is prepared to review the case and protect your rights.
How Our Valsartan Injury Attorneys Can Help
Similar to other dangerous pharmaceutical drug claims, valsartan injury lawsuits are complex. Our defective drug lawyers have the skills and legal experience needed to protect your rights. We will fight tirelessly to hold negligent companies accountable for the damage that they have done to innocent people. When you reach out to our law firm, you will get an attorney who will:
- Conduct a free, comprehensive evaluation of your case;
- Answer all questions or concerns that you have;
- Explain your rights and options to you;
- Work with medical professionals and other experts to obtain evidence and build a strong case; and
- Take legal action to identify and hold all negligent defendants liable.
As a general matter, many defective drug and defective medical device lawsuits are eventually settled prior to litigation. However, as valsartan lawsuits are brand new, there has been little in the way of settlement proceedings as of yet. These cases are in the early stages. You need to take action to protect yourself now. Our law firm always advocates for the rights and interests of our clients. We represent victims in settlement negotiations and we are trial-tested attorneys, always ready to take your case to court.
Get Help From Our Valsartan Lawsuit Attorneys Today
At Sonn Law Group, our defective medical device attorneys are committed to providing strong and effective legal representation to injured victims. If you or your family member developed cancer, liver damage, kidney disease, or any other medical complications after taking valsartan, we are here to help. All negligent companies that manufactured or distributed this drug must be held legally responsible for their misconduct. To set up a free, strictly confidential review of your legal case, please do not hesitate to contact our law firm today.
DISCLAIMER: This article contains opinions and not statements of fact in any way whatsoever. The information here is general information that should not be taken as legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is established between you and our attorneys by reading this article. This article is attorney advertising and should not be used as a substitute for legal advice from a qualified lawyer.
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