Victor Waite | November 28, 2025 | Product liability

The valsartan lawsuit involves claims that certain batches of the blood pressure drug valsartan were contaminated with dangerous chemicals. These chemicals are called nitrosamines, and they are linked to cancer. After the contamination was discovered, many manufacturers recalled their products.
People in Delray Beach and across the country are now filing lawsuits, saying the contaminated medication exposed them to serious health risks and long-term medical problems. Continue reading to learn more about these suits.
What Went Wrong With Valsartan
Valsartan is widely used to treat high blood pressure and some heart conditions. Problems began when testing showed that some batches were contaminated during production overseas.
The contamination involved nitrosamines, including:
- N-Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA)
- N-Nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA)
- Related compounds from the same chemical group
These chemicals are considered probable human carcinogens. Regulators linked the contamination to unsafe manufacturing steps, poor chemical controls, and reactions that occurred during the production process. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) began issuing recalls over five years ago after confirming the risk.
Why Patients Are Filing Lawsuits
People filing lawsuits claim that valsartan manufacturers and distributors failed to protect users from contamination.
The claims often focus on failures to:
- Maintain safe and clean production methods
- Test the drug for impurities
- Warn doctors and patients
- Follow required federal safety standards
Lawsuits say that exposure to NDMA, NDEA, and similar chemicals increased users’ risk of developing cancer. These claims fall under product liability, which allows individuals to hold drug manufacturers responsible when a medication is unsafe or contaminated.
Common legal claims include negligence, failure to warn, defective design, defective manufacturing, and breach of warranty.
Types of Cancer Linked to the Lawsuit
Long-term exposure to nitrosamines has been linked in studies to several cancers.
Valsartan lawsuits often involve:
- Liver cancer
- Stomach cancer
- Colorectal cancer
- Kidney cancer
- Esophageal cancer
- Pancreatic cancer
- Prostate cancer in some cases
Not every person who took the medication developed cancer, but plaintiffs argue the contamination increased their risk and required extra testing or medical care.
Who May Qualify to File a Claim
People may qualify for a valsartan lawsuit if they:
- Took recalled valsartan or a combination drug containing valsartan
- Used recalled lots for a sustained period (duration varies by case)
- Were diagnosed with a related cancer or significant liver damage
- Have pharmacy records showing they used contaminated lots
Some people who did not develop cancer may still qualify for medical monitoring claims depending on the facts.
Evidence Used in Valsartan Lawsuits
These cases rely on detailed records to link the medication to the injury.
Evidence often includes:
- Pharmacy labels and lot numbers
- Prescription records
- Medical records
- Cancer diagnoses
- FDA recall information
- Expert medical opinions
- Internal manufacturing documents
This evidence helps show whether the person took contaminated medication and whether it contributed to their illness.
Since contamination became public several years ago, filing deadlines may vary based on when the person learned about the risk.
Settlements and Litigation Status
Many valsartan lawsuits have been combined into federal multidistrict litigation (MDL). This process groups similar cases into one court to handle shared issues more efficiently. Some settlements have occurred, but many claims remain open.
Settlement amounts depend on:
- The type of cancer
- The severity of the illness
- Medical costs
- Age and health of the plaintiff
- Strength of the evidence
There is no single settlement structure. Each case is evaluated on its own facts.
The most common types of payments are economic damages for clear financial losses and non-economic damages for the impact the injury had on the patient.
Contact the Delray Beach Product Liability Attorneys at The Injury Law Firm, PA for Help Today
The valsartan lawsuit focuses on claims that contaminated medication exposed users to harmful chemicals linked to cancer. Plaintiffs argue that manufacturers and distributors failed to keep the drug safe and did not warn the public after learning about the risk. The lawsuits continue to develop as courts review evidence, and new claims are filed.
If you’ve been injured by taking valsartan, The Injury Law Firm, PA is here to help. Our product liability lawyers can explain your legal options and protect your rights. Contact us today for a free consultation.
If you’ve been injured in Delray Beach, and need legal help, contact our Delray Beach personal injury lawyers at The Injury Law Firm, PA to schedule a free consultation.
The Injury Law Firm, PA.
301 W. Atlantic Ave, Suite O-1, Delray Beach, FL 33444
(561) 800-4357
