A Tennessee teenager was just awarded $70 million by Risperdal manufacturer, Johnson & Johnson, due to a medical condition he developed after taking the drug. Risperdal is an antipsychotic medication designed to treat multiple disorders, including bi-polar disorder and schizophrenia, but one of its side-effects is particularly disturbing. Multiple cases of male breast development are linked to the drug. In fact, an Alabama man sued J&J in 2015 after developing size 46 DD breasts. Contact a nationwide drug injury lawyer today.
J&J Challenges the Verdict
J&J officials plan to challenge the verdict, claiming that the safety label provided adequate warnings about gynecomastia, the medical term for male breast development. “We believe this verdict is not justified by the evidence, and that the award is clearly excessive and far out of line with any factual assessment of actual damages,” said Kristina Chang, a spokeswoman for J&J’s Janssen unit, which sells Risperdal.
1,500 Cases Against J&J Currently Pending
This landmark verdict is the fifth time J&J has been found to have neglected to provide adequate warnings about the risk of male breast development. Currently, the pharmaceutical giant is facing approximately 1,500 cases in PA over claims of emotional trauma and distress due to the drug. And this isn’t the first substantial settlement involving Risperdal. J&J agreed to pay $2.2 billion in 2013, following allegations that it had illegally marketed the drug to elderly patients and children. That settlement was one of the the nation’s largest health-fraud cases of all time.
The Tennessee teenager claims to have been using Risperdal for a psychiatric disorder since the age of five and that he was never warned about the risk of gynecomastia. And this isn’t the only large settlement for male breast development. In 2015, two Alabama men received large settlements for the same; one was for $2.5 million and the other was for $1.75 million. If you or your child is undergoing Risperdal treatment, you may want to talk to your doctor about the risk of gynecomastia.
The Goldwater Law Firm – Nationwide Drug Injury Lawyers
If you or a loved one has been harmed due to the use of Risperdal or any other defective or dangerous medication, the Risperdal attorneys at the Goldwater Law Firm can help. We have extensive experience fighting the big pharmaceutical companies, and an impressive track record of obtaining large settlements. We understand that Risperdal cases are highly sensitive due to the nature of the side effects. Many young men and adolescents have suffered severe emotional harm due to the failure of J&J to adequately warn the public. Our attorneys are as compassionate as they are skilled. When big drug companies fail to properly warn physicians and patients about harmful side effects, we feel they should be held accountable for their negligent actions. Contact the Goldwater Law Firm today for a free and confidential consultation about your case.