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Valsartan Lawsuits

Valsartan lawsuit plaintiffs say hundreds of batches of the blood pressure medication were contaminated with cancer-causing substances. In March 2024, more than 1,200 lawsuits were ongoing. The federal cases are consolidated into multidistrict litigation in New Jersey.

This is an active lawsuit

See If You Qualify for a Valsartan Lawsuit

If you developed cancer or liver damage after taking valsartan, you may be entitled to compensation. Get a free case review today.

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Last Modified: March 2, 2024
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Drugwatch.com writers gather lawsuit information by studying court records, watching lawsuit proceedings and speaking with experienced attorneys.

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Latest Valsartan Lawsuit Updates

As of March 2024, 1,231 valsartan lawsuits were pending and 1,398 total cases had been filed. So far there are no jury verdicts or known settlements of any legal claims. Cases are consolidated into multidistrict litigation in the U.S. District Court of New Jersey and are ongoing.

The latest news about valsartan lawsuits include:
  • February 2024: Plaintiffs and defendants are filing motions to exclude certain experts from depositions and plaintiffs' fact sheets.
  • December 2023: The Valsartan MDL judge certified three classes of plaintiffs including Consumer Economic Loss, Medical Monitoring, and Third Party Payor ("TPP") Class, as well as some some subclasses in the litigation. The Court has not yet decided on the Defendants' wrongdoing or the Plaintiffs' personal injury claims.
  • August 2023: There are 1,230 cases pending in the MDL.
  • July 2023: There were 1,223 cases pending in MDL 2875.
  • February 2023: Federal judge Robert Kugler in New Jersey certified consumer and insurance companies’ claims against manufacturers and distributors of tainted valsartan. MDL plaintiffs requested medical monitoring of valsartan’s adverse effects.
  • January 2023: There were an estimated 1,072 ongoing valsartan lawsuits.
  • December 2022: Judge Kugler rejected valsartan drug makers and distributors’ motion to exclude expert testimony linking the contaminated drug to cancer. His ruling allowed valsartan trials to proceed with scientific study findings usable as evidence against the implicated parties.
  • March 2022: Judge Kugler appointed retired judges Gregory M. Sleet and Lawrence F. Stengel to manage valsartan MDL settlement negotiations.

Some generic drug versions were recalled in July 2018, leading to investigations of harmful side effects and then lawsuits. Valsartan was taken off the market because of its potential to cause certain cancers.

Every year, about 3 million people in the U.S. take valsartan-containing medications. More than 1 million people may have taken contaminated variations of the medication in 2018. Given the widespread use of the blood pressure drug, experts expect more plaintiffs in the foreseeable future.

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Why Are People Filing Valsartan Lawsuits?

People who filed valsartan lawsuits say they developed health complications like cancer after taking N-nitrosodimethylamine and N-nitrosodiethylamine contaminated valsartan. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration classifies NDMA and NDEA as carcinogenic or potentially cancer-causing substances.

Attorney Daniel Nigh explains who qualifies to file a valsartan lawsuit.
Personal injury claims include:
  • Bladder cancer
  • Colorectal cancer
  • Kidney cancer
  • Liver cancer
  • Liver injury
  • Pancreatic cancer
  • Stomach cancer

Valsartan can cause other serious side effects as well. Life-threatening complications from taking the hypertension drug include low blood pressure, difficulty breathing and swelling of body parts (eyes, lower legs, tongue and throat). Not all valsartan-related cancer lawsuits include these side effects.

Conveyor belt with valsartan medicine
Certain batches of valsartan medications were manufactured with NDMA.

Companies Involved in Valsartan Litigation

Plaintiffs in valsartan lawsuits have filed suits against multiple local and overseas companies involved in producing or distributing the generic version of the blood pressure drug Diovan. China-based Zhejiang Huahai Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. and India-based Hetero Labs manufactured contaminated batches of valsartan.

These companies are the primary defendants. Patients are suing them because of an alleged failure to test for, detect and prevent toxic contamination in their products.

Some U.S.-based distributors and re-packagers of tainted valsartan are also named in suits. Degree of liability for cancer-related personal injuries will depend on the role each defendant is determined to have played in the valsartan supply chain.

Defendants in valsartan lawsuits include:
  • Actavis LLC
  • A-S Medication Solutions LLC
  • AvKARE Inc.
  • Bryant Ranch Prepack Inc.
  • Camber Pharmaceuticals Inc.
  • Hetero Labs Ltd.
  • H.J. Harkins Company Inc. (Pharma Pac)
  • Major Pharmaceuticals
  • Northwind Pharmaceuticals
  • NuCare Pharmaceuticals Inc.
  • Preferred Pharmaceuticals
  • Prinston Pharmaceutical Inc.
  • RemedyRepack Inc.
  • Solco Healthcare, U.S. LLC
  • Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Inc.
  • Teva Pharmaceuticals USA Inc.
  • Throggs Neck Pharmacy
  • Torrent Pharmaceuticals
  • Walgreens
  • Zhejiang Huahai Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.

Valsartan isn’t naturally carcinogenic. Not all batches of the medication were contaminated with NDMA during manufacture. The non-tainted brands of the drug weren’t recalled in the U.S. and their manufacturers aren’t involved in the ongoing valsartan litigation.

The FDA’s 2018 recalls in the U.S didn’t include Diovan. Novartis, the patent owner, said the recalls didn’t affect its valsartan or Sandoz valsartan medications. Sandoz’s valsartan is a combination medication that treats high blood pressure.

What Can I Expect in a Valsartan Lawsuit?

Your lawyer will review your case and can assist with documentation. If possible, keep your bottle of recalled valsartan. Your remaining valsartan pills may be tested for NDMA. If you have a valsartan-related cancer diagnosis after using the drug, your attorney can review your medical records for use in the case.

Attorney Daniel Nigh tells people why they should speak to an attorney about valsartan lawsuits.

Eligibility to file a valsartan claim depends on your state’s applicable statute of limitations. That’s the period between your cancer diagnosis and filing the complaint in court. You can discuss any applicable potential exceptions to statutes of limitations in your case with your lawyer. Only a qualified attorney can properly determine your time limit to file.

Possible Compensation From a Valsartan Lawsuit Settlement

In general, the more severe your injuries and the more significant your financial losses, the more compensation you may expect. However, lawsuit settlement amounts vary widely based on many variables. Compensable financial damages often include cancer medical costs and lost wages during treatment.

In cases of long-term or permanent disability that limits the ability to work and earn a living, settlements typically consider loss of future earnings. Damages such as physical pain and mental stress from serious side effects are also compensable under personal injury law.

Speak with a Top Valsartan Lawyer

Were you diagnosed with cancer after taking valsartan?

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Valsartan Lawyers

Questions Valsartan Lawyers May Ask

Was your valsartan part of the recall?

In July 2018, the FDA recalled several lots of valsartan after investigators found contamination with the cancer-causing chemical NDMA. To find out if your drug was part of the recall, locate the name of the drug’s manufacturer and the lot number on the prescription bottle or warning label and compare this information to the FDA’s recall list.

What is your diagnosis?

People filing valsartan lawsuits have typically been diagnosed with liver, kidney, intestinal or stomach cancer. Your lawyer can confirm review your medical records to confirm your diagnosis.

How has your daily life been affected?
Cancer can take a toll on your daily life. Let your attorney know what impact your diagnosis has had on you physically, mentally and emotionally.
What treatments are you undergoing?
There are various ways to treat cancer, including surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. Your attorney will want to know about your cancer treatment plan as well as how effective it’s been for you.
Please seek the advice of a medical professional before making health care decisions.