The first of over 3,000 Actos bladder cancer lawsuits to go to trial resulted in a $6.5 million jury verdict against Japanese drug maker Takeda Pharmaceutics for failing to provide an adequate warning that its diabetes drug could cause bladder cancer. However, a judge later threw out that verdict on the basis of a doctor’s testimony. Although unfortunate, it is not the end of the road for Actos bladder cancer lawsuits.
California Jury Said Takeda Should Have Warned Consumers
A California jury recently awarded Jack Cooper, the plaintiff in the first of thousands of Actos bladder cancer lawsuits to go to trial, $6.5 million in damages – $5 million in compensatory damages and another $1.5 million to his wife for loss of consortium. According to Drug Watch, it was a big victory for Actos bladder injury plaintiffs. However, Takeda was able to convince Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Kenneth Freeman to throw the case out based on the ‘inherently unreliable’ testimony of one of the plaintiff’s doctors. Cooper will appeal that decision.
How Does This Affect Other Actos Bladder Cancer Victims?
The bottom line is that it probably doesn’t affect other people with potential claims. The judge threw the case out because it was based on testimony specific to this plaintiff’s medical condition. Actos bladder cancer lawyers watching the litigation say that this is certainly not the end of the road for injured victims awaiting their day in court, especially after Takeda internal documents show that the company was aware of the increased risk for bladder cancer but consciously decided not to warn patients.
Takeda is currently facing 3,000 lawsuits filed against it over Actos bladder cancer injuries. Approximately 1,500 lawsuits are pending in Illinois, 200 in California and another 1,200 are consolidated in multidistrict litigation in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana.
If you’ve been injured by Actos use, contact The Driscoll Firm, LLC, to discuss your situation and determine whether you or your family may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost income, physical and emotional pain and suffering and more. We’ve recovered over $170 million for our clients. Let our experience help you!
