Risperdal patients and their loved ones continue to cope with life-altering side effects caused by the controversial antipsychotic medication. Many of those who experienced male breast growth from the drug have filed Risperdal lawsuits against manufacturer Ortho-McNeil-Janssen Pharmaceuticals, a Johnson & Johnson subsidiary.
Hundreds of plaintiffs claim that Risperdal labeling was inadequate, and that drug manufacturers failed to warn about negative reactions including gynecomastia, diabetes, tardive dyskinesia and the possibility of stroke in elderly patients. Moreover, J&J has been accused of employing illegal and deceptive practices in the marketing of Risperdal, leading to a $2.2 billion settlement to resolve one the nation’s largest health-fraud penalties.
Practicing for more than two decades, Eisbrouch Marsh product liability lawyers offer complimentary case reviews to patients who’ve been affected by side effects of dangerous and defective pharmaceuticals. Our legal professionals have kept a watchful eye on the progress of Risperdal litigation and settlement negotiations, and can help you determine whether pursuing damages through the courts is prudent. Call 201-342-5545 today.
How Our Attorneys Can Help
Allegations raised by the U.S. government mirror those cited in dozens of product liability cases arising from Risperdal injuries. Janssen is accused of promoting Risperdone to younger patients in spite of knowledge that the medication can increase prolactin levels, causing abnormal breast tissue growth in male children and adolescents. The FDA had only approved the atypical antipsychotic for use in adults until 2006, but J&J sales representatives aggressively marketed Risperdal for off-label or unapproved uses during meetings with psychiatric clinics that treated minors.
Patients who developed gynecomastia after taking Risperdal under false impressions or without sufficient warning may be entitled to significant compensation with the help of a qualified attorney. Well-versed in dangerous drug litigation, the Risperdal lawyers at Eisbrouch Marsh can ensure victims have the best chances of financial recovery. Pharmaceuticals giants like Johnson & Johnson are prepared to defend their products and have at their disposal a team of highly skilled attorneys.
We are prepared to balance the scales of justice by offering our clients the following:
- A long track record of taking on “Big Pharma” cases with considerable success
- Commitment to attentive, personal service throughout the litigation process
- Experience in mediation and pre-trial settlement negotiations
- Access to a wide range of industry specialists who can provide expert testimony
- A team of seasoned trial lawyers
Risperdal Side Effects
Risperdal (also available in the generic version Risperdone) was originally approved by the FDA in 1993. At that time, the atypical antipsychotic was only indicated for treating schizophrenia in adult patients. Later, the drug’s uses were expanded to include treatment for symptoms of bipolar disorder in adults. In 2006 and 2007, U.S. health regulators further amended Risperdal’s uses to include children with autisim, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.
J&J and its subsidiary have been accused of unethical and deceptive marketing of Risperdal prior to 2006, in which kickbacks, outings and other incentives were offered to health care providers in attempt to encourage off-label Risperdal prescriptions for children and teens.
A black box warning – the FDA’s most stringent — was added to Risperdal in 2006, alerting consumers and the medical community that elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis were at increased risk of suffering heart failure, stroke and sudden death when treated with atypical antipsychotic medications. Despite evidence of Risperdal risks in seniors diagnosed with dementia, J&J reps heavily promoted its blockbuster drug to nursing home facilities and mental institutions as a means to calm agitated or otherwise troublesome patients.
Reported side effects of Risperdal include:
- Male breast growth (gynecomastia)
- Painful, lasting erections
- Libido problems
- Unregulated blood sugar levels and diabetes
- Tardive Dyskinesia – a movement disorder with no known cure
- Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome, a neurological disorder
- Dysmenorrhea
- Dystonia (involuntary muscle contractions)
- Cardiac failure in the elderly
Gynecomastia is by and large one of the most commonly alleged complications cited in Risperdal lawsuits, with more than 400 personal injury cases brought by adolescent males and their families to date. In 2012, J&J settled five gynecomastia claims in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas. One of the plaintiffs, a young teen, was forced to have a double mastectomy after Risperdal triggered excessive breast growth. Court documents show about 350 cases pending in the Risperdal mass tort, with hundreds more in the wings.
Gynecomastia Lawsuits
In one complaint brought in Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois an 18-year-old plaintiff argues his Risperdal use as a young boy caused him to suffer gynecomastia, rapid weight gain, damage to his endocrine and sexual systems, and other permanent physical and emotional injuries. The defendants are being sued under several causes of action including fraud, negligence, strict product liability, failure to warn, and breach of implied and express warranties.
At the law firm of Eisbrouch Marsh, our attorneys can help Risperdal victims pursue fair compensation for both economic and non-economic damages such as:
- Related medical expenses – past and future
- Loss of income
- Reduced earning ability
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Emotional anguish
- Pain and suffering
- Permanent disfigurement
- Punitive damages
We understand the humiliation, heartache and emotional trauma caused by Risperdal side effects, and are dedicated to helping consumers stand up for their legal rights. After establishing liability, our lawyers stand prepared to fight for maximum damages through settlement negotiations, or a trial by jury.
Risperdal Settlements
In July 2016, a jury in Philadelphia handed down a $70 million Risperdal verdict against Johnson & Johnson for negligence in regard to the manufacture and distribution of risperdone. The plaintiff was a teenage boy from Tennessee who claimed that the drug caused him the develop female-sized breasts. Four previous Risperdal lawsuits ended with outcomes favorable to the plaintiffs, including a case in which an Alabama man was awarded $2.5 million after his breasts grew to a size of 46DD after using Risperdal as directed by his doctor. Another case was resolved before trial with an undisclosed Risperdal settlement.
Eisbrough & Marsh: Legal Advocacy You Can Count On
If you or a family member experienced adverse effects from Risperdal and are considering legal action, we encourage you to contact our firm today. As respected and highly experienced product liability lawyers handling cases nationwide, we operate on a contingency basis. This eliminates any financial risk our clients, as we only collect compensation when you do.
To learn more about your options for filing a Risperdal lawsuit, we invite you to call 201-342-5545 to schedule a no-obligation consultation.
Resources
- Bloomberg, J&J Hit With $70 Million Risperdal Verdict Over Male Breasts, https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-07-01/j-j-faces-record-70-million-verdict-over-male-breasts
- PubMed - Antipsychotic medication in children and adolescents: a descriptive review of the effects on prolactin level and associated side effects, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19702492
- Bloomberg, J&J Will Pay More Than $2.2 Billion to Settle U.S. Cases https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2013-11-04/j-j-settlement-over-risperdal-said-to-be-announced-today
