A landmark case against Takeda Pharmaceutical Co.’s diabetes drug Actos that caused a California man to be inflicted with terminal bladder cancer saw testimony from an expert witness on Tuesday, March 23.

On December 2011, the plaintiff, 79-year-old Jack Cooper of San Diego, was diagnosed with bladder cancer  after taking Actos for more than five years and was given two to eight months to live, according to his attorney.

University of Chicago Medical Center associate professor of surgery and urology Dr. Norm D. Smith testified before a Los Angeles jury, saying that “the most substantial causative factor” for Cooper’s bladder cancer was his prolonged exposure to Actos.

Although the defense argued that several medical records stated that it was Cooper’s continued cigarette smoking, age, and gender that increased his risk for bladder cancer, Cooper’s lawyers dismissed the argument, stating the lack of cancer history in Cooper’s family and that cigarette smoking alone wasn’t enough to explain the cancerous tumor in his bladder.

According to Takeda, Actos was the world’s highly sought after diabetes drug, reaching $4.5 billion sales, and was declared safe and effective by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Takeda Pharmaceutical Co.’s diabetes drug Actos is a Type-2 diabetes medication that has been blamed for countless Americans suffering serious health problems and side effects after prolonged use. If you took Actos and have developed bladder cancer as a result, discover if you are owed financial compensation from the negligent manufacturer by calling 800-641-9810. The legal team at Williams Kherkher may be able to help you through this difficult time.