Millions Awarded To Plaintiffs In Risperdal Lawsuit Verdicts

LegalHerald.com reports on the verdicts of two Risperdal lawsuits which resulted in plaintiffs being awarded millions. The defendant, Janssen Pharmaceuticals (a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson), has been found liable in the case of a young man who grew large breasts after taking the drug (a condition known as gynecomastia) and been found responsible for marketing fraud in another lawsuit filed by the state of South Carolina.

The first case took place in Philadelphia, where the jury awarded the plaintiff and his family $2.5 million after they claimed that Risperdal, a powerful antipsychotic drug, caused him to develop gynecomastia, or male breast growth. The now 20-year-old began taking the drug “off-label” at the age of 8 to treat symptoms of autism, and from that time developed size 46DD breasts. In his suit, the plaintiff claimed that the manufacturers failed to properly inform consumers and medical professionals of the potential side effects that could occur when taking the drug.

“Off-label” marketing is a very controversial tactic at the center of many lawsuits involving Risperdal. If a drug is prescribed “off-label” it means that it is being prescribed in a way that has not been approved by the FDA. This case was not the first time Janssen has been in legal trouble with regard to their marketing tactics. In 2013, Johnson & Johnson paid $2.2 billion to settle off-label marketing claims for several drugs including Risperdal. Those claims were brought against the company by the U.S. Department of Justice and several states.

The second Risperdal lawsuit was filed by the state of South Carolina in 2007. The complaint alleged that the pharmaceutical company illegally marketed their drug by sending out over 7,000 letters to doctors which downplayed the side effects of Risperdal and embellished its benefits. They were ordered to pay $4,000 per letter that was sent out. The original jury verdict instructed the company to pay $327 million but this amount was later reduced by Judge Kittredge to $136 million.

The attorneys at Banville Law understand how concerning the recent news regarding Risperdal can be for individuals who have taken the drug. The firm is working to ensure that anyone who has used the drug and who has suffered from adverse health events that they attribute to its use will have the opportunity to explore their legal options. Banville Law is currently offering complimentary consultations for affected parties who could be entitled to substantial compensation.

For more information on Risperdal lawsuits, or to ask questions, contact the attorneys of Banville Law by calling (888) 997-3792.