A major pharmaceutical liability judgment was recently rendered against drug makers Takeda Pharmaceutical and Eli Lilly, awarding $9 billion in punitive damages to individuals harmed by the diabetes drug, Actos. The judgment, the seventh-largest in American history, maybe reduced to conform with U.S. Supreme Court precedent, but the ruling is a win for patients across the country. Not only will this recovery help victims ease their pain and suffering, but it will send the message that harmful drugs will not be tolerated in the pharmaceuticals field.
The lawsuit arose after claims were made against the manufacturers alleging they downplayed risks that takers of Actos could develop bladder cancer. In fact, it was not until 2011, several years after the cancer danger had been discovered, that Takeda warned consumers of the risk. Therefore, many consumers of the drug were put at unnecessary risk of developing bladder cancer. Takeda was also found to have improperly destroyed documents relating to the dangers of taking Actos.
Unfortunately, harmful and defective drugs like this are common in the marketplace. Manufacturers place pharmaceuticals on the market that are improperly produced or they fail to notify consumers of the potential side effects of taking the drug. These negligent practices can leave an individual with an injury that is long-lasting and life-changing. In some instances, the results can be fatal.
When an individual is harmed by a drug, he or she may incur medical expenses, loss of enjoyment of life, and maybe rendered unable to work. Luckily, these damages may be recoverable through a lawsuit. In Texas, a Dallas-based attorney can be powerful in bringing such a claim, which may be joined with other, similar cases to gain class-action status. Then, an attorney will dig deep into the facts of the situation and applicable law to develop the best possible legal argument, thereby fighting for the compensation those who were unjustly wronged deserve.
