Federal Court Selects Five Additional Valsartan Cancer Lawsuits for Bellwether Trials

Second Round of Trials Prepared as Litigation Approaches 1,200 Cases

The U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey announced five additional Valsartan cancer lawsuits for potential bellwether trials on December 31, 2024. Special Master Judge Thomas Vanaskie selected these cases from the growing multidistrict litigation involving contaminated blood pressure medication. The court’s decision prepares for the possibility that the first round of trials, scheduled for September 2025, may not lead to a settlement agreement. These cases represent various types of cancer allegedly linked to NDMA and NDEA contamination in generic Valsartan medications.

5 Key Points

• The litigation involves over 1,200 cancer cases linked to contaminated generic Valsartan.
• Cases selected include kidney, colorectal, stomach, and esophageal cancer plaintiffs.
• The first bellwether trials begin September 2025 under Judge Renee M. Bumb.
• Selected plaintiffs come from Louisiana, Texas, South Carolina, and Tennessee.
• Cases stem from manufacturing changes that occurred approximately 10 years ago.

Court Selects Diverse Cancer Cases for Second Bellwether Round

U.S. District Court Judge Renee M. Bumb and Special Master Thomas Vanaskie carefully selected five cases that showcase the range of cancers allegedly caused by contaminated Valsartan. The selections include Lana Dufrene’s kidney cancer case from Louisiana, where doctors removed her kidney in February 2016 while she continued taking the medication, unaware of its contamination until 2018. Robert Garcia’s colorectal cancer case from Texas and Evon Smalls’ stomach cancer case from South Carolina, both filed in June 2020, demonstrate the geographical spread of the litigation. These cases will help determine how different juries across various jurisdictions might respond to the scientific evidence linking Valsartan to other types of cancer.

Manufacturing Changes Led to Widespread Contamination

The litigation centers on fundamental changes in the manufacturing process that occurred approximately a decade ago, introducing dangerous levels of N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) and N-nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA) into generic versions of Valsartan. These chemical contaminants, known carcinogens, remained undetected in the medication until mid-2018 when testing revealed their presence. Multiple manufacturers subsequently issued recalls, but by then, thousands of patients had potentially been exposed to these cancer-causing agents for years. The contamination affected various generic versions of the popular blood pressure medication, leading to a complex web of liability involving multiple manufacturers and suppliers.

Get a free legal case review today

Did you develop any of the following injuries after being exposed to Fire Fighting Foam (AFFF)? * Choose one Ulcerative Colitis Kidney Cancer Pancreatic Cancer Testicular Cancer Prostate Cancer Bladder Cancer Thyroid Disease Liver Cancer Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma None of the above Were you exposed to Fire Fighting Foam (AFFF)? *

YesNo

Which medication(s) did you take during your pregnancy? * Choose one Tylenol Acetaminophen Alka-Seltzer Coricidin Dayquil Excedrin FluTherapy Midol Mucinex Nyquil Panadol Robitussin Sinex Sudafed Theraflu Other Medication(s) Was your child diagnosed with Autism, ADHD or another condition? * Choose one Autism/Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Asperger’s Syndrome Kanner’s Syndrome Childhood Disintegrative Disorder Pervasive Developmental Disorder Other Medical Condition How old was your child at the time of diagnosis? *

Under 18 years old18+ years old

Did the accident occur within the last 2 years? *

YesNo

First Name *

Last Name *

Email Address *

ZIP Code *

Phone Number *

What is your case type? * Choose one -------------------- Asbestos Baby Formula Camp Lejeune Clergy Abuse CPAP Elmiron Exactech Firefighting Foam FTX Exchange Hair Relaxer Hernia Mesh Paraquat PFAS Roundup Sex Abuse Social Media Talcum Powder Tepezza Tylenol -------------------- Birth Injury Car Accident FELA Medical Malpractice Motorcycle Accident Slip and Fall Trucking Accident Uber & Lyft Rideshare Workplace Injury Weight Loss Wrongful Death -------------------- Something Else

Human Verification *

I understand and agree that (a) submitting this form does not create an attorney-client relationship, (b) I am not already represented by an attorney for this matter, (c) the information I submit will be shared with a law firm, and (d) I have read and accepted the terms and conditions of the Privacy Policy, Terms of Service and Legal Disclaimer. Further, I consent to being contacted by a law firm or its agent after submitting this request.

Thank you! Your submission has been received!

Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

Wrongful Death Claim Highlights Severe Patient Impact

The selection of Sandra Meeks’ wrongful death lawsuit from Louisiana represents one of the most devastating outcomes in the litigation. Her husband, Ronald Meeks, took Valsartan from November 2016 to October 2017, developing an aggressive case of esophageal cancer that later metastasized to his liver. His death in May 2019 underscores the potential severity of the contamination’s health impacts. The case includes both personal injury and wrongful death claims, making it particularly significant for understanding how juries might view cases involving fatal outcomes. Another notable selection involves James and Cynthia Suits from Tennessee, whose case details James’ battle with colon cancer after taking generic Valsartan from 2014 through 2017, resulting in permanent injuries and ongoing suffering.

Settlement Negotiations Continue as Trial Dates Approach

While the first round of bellwether trials approaches its September 2025 start date, the selection of these additional cases indicates the court’s strategic preparation for extended litigation. Judge Bumb has established a comprehensive pretrial process, including coordinated discovery proceedings that will help streamline handling over 1,200 cases. The upcoming status conference on January 10, 2025, will allow parties to object to any selected cases, with proposed agendas due January 9. If global settlement negotiations fail following the initial trials, Judge Bumb has indicated she may begin remanding individual cases back to their original jurisdictions, potentially leading to hundreds of separate trials across the federal court system. This possibility pressures both sides to reach a reasonable settlement agreement that addresses the diverse range of injuries and damages claimed by plaintiffs.