NY Family Wins $9 Billion in Trial Over Cancer Linked to Diabetes Drug Actos

LAFAYETTE, La., April 8, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- A Louisiana jury has awarded $9 billion to a New York man and his wife following a trial over the man's claims that his bladder cancer was caused by the popular prescription diabetes drug Actos.

Attorneys W. Mark Lanier of The Lanier Law Firm, Richard J. Arsenault of Neblett Beard & Arsenault and Paul J. Pennock of Weitz & Luxenberg represented Terrence and Susan Allen in the two-month trial before Judge Rebecca Doherty in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana.

In the April 7 verdict, jurors assessed punitive damages totaling $6 billion against Actos manufacturer Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. of Osaka, Japan, and $3 billion against Indianapolis-based Eli Lilly & Co. (NYSE:LLY), which marketed the drug in the U.S. from its debut in 1999 to 2006. Actos generated more than $16 billion in sales since its release.

Trial evidence showed that experts warned of Actos' link to bladder cancer a full seven years before Takeda issued related warnings to patients. Mr. Allen began taking the medication in 2006 and was diagnosed with bladder cancer in 2011.

"Eight people from Lafayette, Louisiana, spoke loudly about how business is to be conducted in America," says Mr. Lanier. "This should be a wake-up call to any business that acts with reckless disregard for the safety of people."

Mr. Lanier and the other attorneys who won the $9 billion verdict on behalf of the Allen family also represent clients in many of the additional Actos cases that are currently pending. More than 2,700 Actos lawsuits have been consolidated in Judge Doherty's federal court, and Takeda and Eli Lilly face hundreds of state court claims throughout the U.S.

With offices in Houston, Los Angeles, and New York, The Lanier Law Firm is committed to addressing client concerns with effective and innovative solutions in courtrooms across the country. The firm is composed of outstanding trial attorneys with decades of experience handling cases involving pharmaceutical liability, personal injury, asbestos exposure, business litigation, product liability, maritime law, and sports and entertainment law.

For more information on the Actos verdict or to speak with Mr. Lanier, please contact J.D. Cargill at 713-659-5200.

SOURCE The Lanier Law Firm