Actos Lawsuit

All across the country, families have been filing Actos lawsuits after learning that the drug caused life-threatening medical conditions, including bladder cancer and heart failure. As leading product liability lawyers with more than two decades of experience litigating dangerous drug cases, the team at Ellis Law understands the ramifications involved with the diagnosis of a life-threatening illness.
When patients are prescribed medications such as Actos to treat their diabetes, a certain level of trust is involved. Patients are often led to believe that the drug they are prescribed is safe when in fact it can lead to death. Often, the blame for this sense of betrayal is placed on the physician when the real culprit is the drug manufacturer, who may have neglected to issue adequate side effect warnings, or conduct rigorous pre-market tests.
We know that no amount of money can erase the cancer from your body or restore the health of your heart. However, the Actos attorneys of Ellis Law can fight for justice on your behalf. We can demand that the drug company pay for its negligence, giving you the valuable resources you need to pursue medical treatment and care for your family despite economic losses caused by your diagnosis. When you need help filing an Actos lawsuit, the legal professionals at Ellis Law have your back.

History of Actos

Actos (pioglitazone) was FDA approved in 1999 for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. It works by stabilizing blood sugar levels by improving insulin sensitivity. In other words, it helps the body use insulin more effectively. Within just a few years of its approval, patients nationwide began complaining of life-threatening side effects.
Many of those who have filed lawsuits against manufacturer Takeda Pharmaceuticals  argue that the defendants failed to issue adequate safety warnings until 2011. Specifically, the company reportedly waited to warn patients they were at an increased risk of life-threatening bladder cancer.

Side effects and FDA warning

In addition to life-threatening bladder cancer and heart failure, Actos has been linked to other serious complications, including the following:

• Bone fractures
• Respiratory complications
• Lactic acidosis
• Edema

The causal relationship between Actos and bladder cancer and other adverse health reactions has been substantiated in scientific studies. In May 2012, the British Medical Journal published a study that demonstrated an 83% increased risk of bladder cancer among patients taking Actos. And after conducting an analysis of 12 years of data, Swiss scientists discovered that the risk of bone fractures was doubled or tripled.
In 2011 the FDA issued a safety communication stating that patients had a 40% increased risk of bladder cancer when Actos was used for longer than one year. The 2011 FDA bladder cancer warning prompted a slew of Actos lawsuits. Labeling changes to the product included the addition of a black box warning for the risk of heart failure.

Actos recalled in Europe

Despite these life-threatening risks, Takeda has not recalled Actos in the U.S. However, the drug has been pulled from the market elsewhere. In 2011, Takeda announced that it was complying with a request by the French health regulatory authority to withdraw all products containing pioglitazone from the market in France. Germany also followed suit, halting sales of Actos.

Bladder cancer litigation escalates

With the help of the Actos lawyers at Ellis law, many families have already filed complaints against Takeda to hold the company liable for its diabetes drug. Many have chosen to file lawsuits in state court, either individually or as part of a mass proceeding. Other claims have been centralized in federal court; they are proceeding as part of a multidistrict litigation (MDL). At least 3,000 Actos lawsuits regarding bladder cancer have been filed as of early 2014. In addition to the MDL, Takeda faces mass torts in both California and Illinois.
MDL No. 2299 is proceeding in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana before the Honorable Judge Rebecca Doherty. The first lawsuit in the MDL, known as a bellwether trial, is already underway. The trial of Terrence Allen versus Takeda began on January 27, 2014. Allen is demanding compensation from Takeda, claiming the manufacturer is liable for marketing a dangerous drug which caused his cancer.  The jury is expected to hear testimony regarding the alleged willful destruction documents related to Actos on the part of the defendants.
Other Actos litigation efforts have already resulted in jury verdicts. Jack Cooper, a California resident, filed his Actos lawsuit in state court. He was awarded a verdict of $6.5 million for his bladder cancer; however, the verdict was later overturned due to insufficiency of evidence.

Actos lawsuit eligibility

If you or a loved one took Actos and suffered complications, you could be eligible for substantial compensation for your medical bills and pain and suffering. The team at Ellis Law includes medical experts who can review your records and determine if you have grounds for legal action. While many of those who sued Takeda suffer from bladder cancer and heart failure, other complications may form the basis of a lawsuit, including bone fractures and respiratory complications.
If your loved one took Actos and later passed away from bladder cancer or heart failure, you have our deepest sympathies. We can help you hold Takeda Pharmaceuticals accountable for their actions with a wrongful death lawsuit. Takeda may be held liable for failure to warn of the risks, breach of express and implied warranties, and designing and manufacturing a defective product that poses unreasonable danger to consumers.

Compensation obtained from litigation can help patients with the following:

• Past and future medical expenses
• Lost wages
• Loss of future earning capacity
• Physical disability
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional anguish

Helping victims of Actos bladder cancer

The personal injury attorneys at Ellis Law will explain your legal rights and options during a free legal consultation. We pride ourselves on our attentive and personalized representation, and always remain available should you have questions throughout the course of the proceedings.
Every day, our legal team works with families who have suffered the devastating effects of cancer, heart failure, and other serious complications caused by dangerous drugs. Our attorneys will stop at nothing to ensure your family receives the compensation you rightfully deserve.  To find out if you’re injuries warrant a product liability lawsuit against Takeda, please call 310-641-3335.