Parker Waichman LLP

North Carolina man claims bladder cancer the result of taking diabetes drug Actos

A North Carolina man is the latest to claim that taking the popular type 2 diabetes drug Actos led to his bladder cancer diagnosis. The man has taken the same route as a growing number of other Americans and filed a lawsuit against the makers of the drug and the companies responsible for marketing it […]

actos carolina lawsuitA North Carolina man is the latest to claim that taking the popular type 2 diabetes drug Actos led to his bladder cancer diagnosis.

The man has taken the same route as a growing number of other Americans and filed a lawsuit against the makers of the drug and the companies responsible for marketing it in the U.S. He claims in his complaint that Takeda Pharmaceuticals and Eli Lilly & Co. knowingly hid evidence that showed taking this particular diabetes drug – especially at high doses or for a prolonged period of time – could lead to bladder cancer.

The Plaintiff in this case is being represented by the national law firm of Parker Waichman LLP. The firm is actively representing other victims of Actos’ life-threatening side effects and has been busy in recent months filing lawsuits similar to the one on behalf of the North Carolina man. In fact, the firm has been appointed to serve in a leading role representing all victims of Actos-related bladder cancer.

This latest lawsuit was filed in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana. It joins other and a growing number of similar lawsuits all making similar claims as the most recent as the Re: Actos (Pioglitazone) Products Liability Litigation (MDL No. 6:11-md-2299). Jerrold S. Parker, a founding partner at Parker Waichman LLP, has already been appointed to serve on the Plaintiffs’ Steering Committee, actively taking part in the pre-trial decision making that aims to set an even platform for any future trials or agreed-to settlements.

MDL are approved by a federal judicial panel and combine lawsuits which make like claims. The process streamlines the pre-trial process and decides on matters of admission of evidence, approved witnesses, and other matters that could be used as grounds for appeal after a decision has been reached. The MDL process aims to eliminate the basis for any appeals.

In the Actos MDL, Takeda Pharmaceuticals America, Inc., Takeda Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc. f/k/a Takeda Pharmaceuticals North America. Inc., Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited and Eli Lilly and Company have been named as Defendants.

The North Carolina man claims in his lawsuit that he was prescribed to take Actos in 2002 and after taking the drug he developed bladder cancer. He believes that Takeda knew of the risk of bladder cancer associated with the drug for some time but failed to inform the public of this risk in favor of higher sales.

Revenues generated from Actos sales have ballooned recently since the previous top-selling type 2 diabetes drug, Avandia, was near-entirely removed from the market by the Food and Drug Administration due to its link to several life-threatening side effects like heart attack and stroke. Prior to that, Actos had avoided the focus of much research and since it has supplanted Avandia as a top-selling drug, more attention has been given to its dangerous side effects.

As evidence, even though the North Carolina man was prescribed Actos in 2002 – it was formally approved by the FDA in July 1999 – it was not until last year that the agency first informed the public of this dangerous side effect risk. The FDA formally added a Black Box warning to Actos safety information that notes taking the drug for more than a year can increase the risk of suffering bladder cancer, a life-threatening disease.

A recent study showed that taking Actos over another type 2 diabetes medication could increase a person’s risk of developing bladder cancer by 22 percent.

What Our Clients Say About Us
We have worked with thousands of clients and we appreciate them and their positive reviews. Here are just a few recent client reviews...
5 Star Reviews 150
Thank you Michelle Josama at Parker and waichman for being so great from day one with my family and myself! It was a pleasure meeting and working with you! Thank you for your care and professionalism.
bfst6611 st
4 years ago
5 Star Reviews 150
Positive: Professionalism , Quality , Responsiveness , Value PW already a reputable Law Firm still exceeded my expectations. PW did an outstanding job.
Charles Jones
3 years ago
5 Star Reviews 150
The best lawyer company I have ever met, very attentive, very concerned about my case, especially Jorge Peniche, who helped me with everything with my medication, my therapy, and followed up on my case from the beginning. It is a company that I recommend to all my friends. Friends Parker Waichman
Nestor Herrera
5 years ago

Why Choose Us to Help You?

We Take Care of Everything
Your situation is stressful enough: Let us take on the deadlines, paperwork, investigation, and litigation. We'll handle every detail so you don't have to worry.
No Recovery = No Legal Fees
We work on a contingency-fee basis, meaning that we only get paid from a portion of your settlement or jury award. If you don't get compensation, you owe us nothing.
Decades of Experience
Your situation is stressful enough: Let us take on the deadlines, paperwork, investigation, and litigation. We'll handle every detail so you don't have to worry.
Respected by Our Peers
Judges, insurance adjusters, and fellow attorneys all speak highly of our skills, and we've earned numerous accolades, including a flawless rating from AVVO.
We Have Many Locations To Serve You
We have the experience and the skilled litigators to win your case. Contact us and speak with a real attorney who can help you.
Long Island – Nassau
Parker Waichman LLP
6 Harbor Park Drive
Port Washington, NY 11050
Long Island – Suffolk
Parker Waichman LLP
201 Old Country Road – Suite 145
Melville, NY 11747
New York
Parker Waichman LLP
59 Maiden Lane, 6th Floor
New York, NY 10038
Queens
Parker Waichman LLP
118-35 Queens Boulevard, Suite 400
Forest Hills, NY 11375
Brooklyn
Parker Waichman LLP
300 Cadman Plaza West
One Pierrepont Plaza, 12th Floor
Brooklyn, NY 11201
New Jersey
Parker Waichman LLP
80 Main Street, Suite 265
West Orange, NJ 07052
Florida
Parker Waichman LLP
27299 Riverview Center Boulevard
Suite 108
Bonita Springs, FL 34134
Nationwide Service
Parker Waichman LLP
59 Maiden Lane, 6th Floor
New York, NY 10038