Man sues over claims Actos medication caused bladder cancer

A drug manufacturer is facing a lawsuit over claims one of its drugs increases the risk of bladder cancer.

Gerald Klima filed a lawsuit Nov. 21 in the Circuit Court of Cook County against Takeda Pharmaceutical U.S.A. Inc., formerly known as Takeda Pharmaceutical North America Inc., and Eli Lilly & Co., citing negligence, strict product liability, defective design, fraud by misrepresentation and fraud by concealment.

The suit also names the following as defendants: Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Takeda Pharmaceuticals LLC, Takeda Global Research & Development Center Inc., Takeda Pharmaceuticals International Inc., Takeda California Inc., formerly known as Takeda San Diego Inc., and Takeda Pharmaceuticals America Inc.

According to the suit, Klima was prescribed Actos, a medication typically used to help control blood sugar levels in people with diabetes.

Klima claims he was diagnosed with bladder cancer and had re-occurrences of bladder cancer. The complaint alleges that the defendants concealed knowledge that Actos can cause bladder cancer.

Klima is seeking damages in excess of $50,000. He is being represented by several attorneys, including Edward A. Wallace, Mark R. Miller and Corey Raines of Wexler Wallace LLP in Chicago.

Cook County Circuit Court Case No. 2013L013345.

This is a report on a civil lawsuit filed in the Cook County Circuit Court. The details in this report come from an original complaint filed by a plaintiff. Please note, a complaint represents an accusation by a private individual, not the government. It is not an indication of guilt, and it only represents one side of the story.