Actos Lawsuits
Actos (generic name pioglitazone) is an oral diabetes medication that has been linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular complications, as well as liver damage. Patients who have experienced heart or liver problems while taking Actos may be able to recover compensation for costs associated with medical treatment, as well as other expenses arising from the effects of the drug.
In some instances, patients have experienced fatal cardiovascular side effects that have left their families and heirs with expensive medical bills and funeral costs. The heirs of a defective drug victim are entitled to file suit in order to seek compensation from the drug's manufacturers and distributors. Victims and their families who wish to file a defective drug claim should contact an injury attorney as soon as possible, in order to adhere to the strict time constraints imposed by statutes of limitations.
Compensation for Actos Side Effects
Victims of the life-threatening complications of Actos may file a defective drug claim seeking compensatory damages to offset the cost of medical bills, lost income, lost opportunities and pain and suffering. Treating heart and liver diseases can require extensive medical care and ongoing treatment, which can interfere with a person's career and social life.
If a victim dies before a resolution is reached in his or her personal injury claim, the victim's family members can continue the case by filing a survivor claim. In addition, the family can file a wrongful death lawsuit seeking compensation for funeral expenses, lost future financial aid, and emotional distress.
Actos Lawsuits
Actos is intended to treat Type-2 diabetes by controlling blood glucose levels and increasing patients' tolerance to insulin. In June 2007, the manufacturers of Actos and a similar-acting drug, Avandia, were required to add a “black box” warning to the drugs' packaging. (Black box warnings are the FDA's strongest action short of a recall.) The warning followed research conducted by the Cleveland Clinic, which discovered that Actos and Avandia increased the risk of heart attack (by as much as 42 percent), hepatitis, liver failure, liver inflammation and elevated liver enzymes, a sign of liver damage.
Many believe the manufacturer of Actos, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company, failed to properly warn consumers of the potentially fatal side effects of Actos. Others believe Eli Lilly Pharmaceuticals, the co-marketer of Actos, is also liable for inadequately highlighting the risk on the packaging and in marketing campaigns.
Depending on the state, victims may pursue a personal injury claim based on negligence or strict liability. Strict Liability does not require that negligence be proved. Some states have pharmaceutical laws that contain elements of negligence as well as strict liability. If your loved one has died as a result of taking Actos, you may be eligible to file a wrongful death claim seeking compensation for pain and suffering, loss of financial aid, medical bills and other expenses. Speaking with a defective drug attorney will help you determine the best way to build a case against those responsible for your suffering.
Defective Drug Attorneys
Victims who have suffered from side effects of Actos that severely affected their health may wish to speak with a personal injury lawyer. Attorneys who specialize in defective drug claims have the expertise necessary to file claims against large pharmaceutical companies and can identify and build strong components in your defective drug claim. In some instances, lawyers suggest joining a class action lawsuit, which has the potential to award hundreds of millions of dollars to those harmed. To learn more about filing a claim, contact a defective drug attorney today. 
[Last revision: October 2009]
Women taking Actos or Avandia have shown a higher incidence of bone fractures, particularly in the upper and lower limbs.
More than 18 million Americans suffer from Type-2 diabetes. Actos is one of the most widely prescribed oral medications for this disease. It is also one of the best-selling drugs on the market, generating $2 billion in revenues annually.