New court order states all future and current valsartan cancer lawsuits in the valsartan multidistrict litigation (MDL) must complete a “short-form” to help in tracking and coordinating cases. The seven-page form helps both parties and the Court to categorize valsartan cancer cases more efficiently as more cases pour into the valsartan multidistrict litigation.

Currently over 100 valsartan cancer cases pend in the federal court system, each raising similar claims that poor valsartan manufacturing caused the pills to become contaminated with confirmed human carcinogens. These carcinogens, including N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) and N-Nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA), allegedly contributed to the cancer diagnoses of valsartan patients across the United States.

On August 20, U.S. District Judge Joel Schneider released a case management order mandating all plaintiffs in the valsartan MDL, even those with previously filed cases, must submit the short-form complaint within 30 days of order approval. According to the order, all future cases filed into the valsartan multidistrict litigation must fill out the short-order form, as well, along with lawsuits moved from other U.S. District Courts into the MDL.

The Short Form Complaint’s structure helps parties and the Court organize the large number of valsartan cancer claims by providing case-specific options for parties to select from, such as types of cancer, names of valsartan manufacturers, etc. The short-form provides options of over 50 manufacturers, repackagers, distributors, pharmacies, etc. involved in the distribution and sales of contaminated valsartan medication. The form also lists seven different kinds of cancer tied to contaminated valsartan for plaintiffs to choose from, such as liver, kidney, colorectal, pancreatic, esophageal, stomach, and small intestine cancer.

Valsartan Cancer Lawsuits

While the number of lawsuits may seem low currently, experts suggest that over 2,000 valsartan lawsuits may be brought forth in the upcoming months and years. As part of coordinated pretrial proceedings, it is likely Judge Kugler will create a “bellwether” trial process to gauge how juries will react to testimonies and evidence brought forth and repeated throughout the litigation process. The potential bellwether process will also help encourage parties to reach a valsartan settlement over the contaminated pills.