Jury In Risperdal Lawsuit Trial Orders Johnson & Johnson to Pay $2.5 Million in Damages, Southern Med Law Reports

Jury in Risperdal Lawsuit Bellwether Trial Awards $2.5 Million to Plaintiff As J&J Faces Over 1,000 More Cases in The Mass Tort Litigation

Southern Med Law reports that a Pennsylvania jury has decided that pharmaceutical giant Johnson & Johnson will pay millions in damages to the family of an autistic boy who developed size 46 DD breasts after taking antipsychotic Risperdal in 2002. The court found that J&J failed to warn patients and their physicians that Risperdal could cause abnormal breast tissue development in males, a condition called gynecomastia. The case also notes that the boy was taking the drug at least four years before Risperdal was approved for use in children by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. According to documents filed with the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas, the jury awarded the plaintiff $2.5 million in damages.(Case No. A-196444)

“Southern Med Law is pleased with the jury’s decision and the insight it gives into what a jury may award in similar cases. Our firm continues to represent clients that have filed a Risperdal lawsuit alleging they have developed gynecomastia after taking the medication Risperdal.” Southern Med Law is committed to protecting the rights of all individuals injured by dangerous drugs, defective medical devices, and harmful products, due to companies putting profits before people. A dedicated leader in medical injury litigation, Southern Med Law has successfully taken on some of the largest medical companies on behalf of their clients. Southern Med Law now offers free legal consultations to men who have developed gynecomastia after taking Risperdal. Call 1-205-547-5525 or fill out our online form located on the www.southernmedlaw.com website.

Risperdal Lawsuit Litigation

Court documents show this case is the first of nearly 1,300 hundred Risperdal breast growth lawsuits that have been filed on behalf of men who allegedly suffered Risperdal side effects, including the development of abnormal breast tissue. This case was the first to go to trial, as J&J has settled Risperdal cases prior. (In Re: Risperdal Litigation, Case Number 100300296)

A former FDA commissioner was a paid expert witness for the plaintiffs and testified that the company was aware of the risks the drug posed to children but failed to disclose the statistical data showing the drug’s side effects of gynecomastia. The former FDA commissioner also prepared a report for a case that was settled in 2012 stating that the company’s marketing of the drug violated the law. In 2013 J&J paid $2.2 billion to resolve criminal and civil claims of illegally marketing Risperdal to youth and the elderly. [http://blogs.wsj.com/pharmalot/2015/02/24/johnson-johnson-loses-trial-over-risperdal-and-male-breasts/]

J&J’s Response to Risperdal Lawsuit Verdict

A spokesperson for Johnson & Johnson subsidiary Janssen, which marketed the drug, said in a note to the Wall Street Journal, that the company is “disappointed and will consider all of our options going forward, including appeals. We firmly believe this verdict should be overturned. During the trial, Janssen presented abundant evidence showing that the FDA-approved label properly warned of the medication’s potential side effects and the plaintiff’s physician was aware of those side effects.” the spokesperson also said, that “evidence also showed [the plaintiff] was not harmed by using Risperdal and, in fact, his quality of life was significantly improved during the time he was taking Risperdal.” How the drug has affected his life since taking Risperdal was not addressed in the notes.

Legal Help For Victims Of Risperdal Side-Effects And Gynecomastia

Throughout his career, Dr. Blaudeau has worked hard to develop a strong reputation in healthcare litigation. His first-hand knowledge of medicine has made Southern Med Law an aggressive and effective advocate for those who were harmed due to dangerous and defective drugs. If you or a loved one developed gynecomastia allegedly after taking the antipsychotic Risperdal, please contact the Firm today to learn more about your legal rights. You can arrange for a free, no obligation Risperdal breast development lawsuit review by filling out our online form, or by calling the office directly at 205-547-5525.