Takeda Pharmaceuticals Loses Another Actos Bladder Cancer Lawsuit
Takeda Pharmaceuticals must pay another penalty, this time $2.3 million, for Actos bladder cancer injuries caused by the blockbuster Type 2 diabetes drug Actos, which has been tied to bladder cancer in numerous patients.
On Thursday, February 12th, plaintiff John Kristufek was awarded $2.3 million for pain and suffering caused by developing Actos bladder cancer after taking Actos for some years to treat his Type 2 diabetes.
The jury also ruled that Takeda showed “reckless indifference” to Kristufek’s and other patients’ health by hiding the risks of Actos. The finding could lead to punitive damages against Takeda, which the judge will award.
During the course of the trial, Takeda argued that Actos could not have directly caused the plaintiff’s bladder cancer, and instead must be related to his long history of smoking. Although Kristufek smoked for 25 years, he quit in 1990, and a University of Colorado oncologist, Shandra Wilson, testified in his trial in mid-January that Actos is the only drug that could have caused Kristufek’s bladder cancer.
“To me it appears that the higher the dose, the more likely it is that Actos causes bladder cancer,” Wilson said. “I do believe it was a substantial factor.” She added that Kristufek’s smoking history did increase his chances of developing cancers, including bladder cancer, about 10 to 20%, but that Actos was 4 times more likely to cause the development of those specific tumors.
Kristufek took Actos for 3 years for his Type 2 diabetes, and was diagnosed with bladder cancer after his doctor found tumors in his bladder in 2008.
Kristufek is the fifth patient in a long line of Actos patients who filed a personal injury lawsuit against Takeda for pain and suffering due to bladder cancer, who has won his personal injury trial.
Currently, Takeda Pharmaceuticals faces over 3,500 personal injury lawsuits in a multidistrict litigation (MDL) that alleges that Actos caused the plaintiffs’ bladder cancer. In a previous ruling, Takeda managed to drastically reduce a penalty from $9 billion between Takeda and former partner Eli Lilly to $37 million between the two.
The Strom Law Firm Can Help with Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Cases, Including Actos Bladder Cancer Lawsuits
Evidence strongly links Actos to increased risk of bladder cancer, but the drug also has other dangerous side effects. If you or a loved one takes Actos or the generic pioglitazone to treat Type 2 diabetes and has since developed bladder cancer, heart disease, liver failure, or diabetic macular edema, you may be entitled to compensation.
There are several side effects associated with Actos®.
You should seek medical attention if you experience:
- shortness of breath or trouble breathing,
- chest pain,
- extreme fatigue,
- irregular heartbeat,
- dilated neck veins,
- swelling of face, fingers, feet, or lower legs,
- decreased urine output, and
- weight gain
If you or a loved one have taken Actos to treat Type 2 diabetes, and have since suffered dangerous side effects including developing bladder cancer you may be entitled to compensation. The attorneys at the Strom Law Firm can help with personal injury cases, including against Actos manufacturer Takeda Pharmaceuticals. We offer free, confidential consultations to discuss the facts of your case, so do not hesitate to contact us. 803.252.4800
