Karina Basso  |  June 1, 2015

Category: Legal News

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Risperdal Drug LawsuitThree years of legal battles has paid off for Johnson & Johnson and its Janssen Pharmaceuticals subsidiary, as the companies settled a Risperdal lawsuit in Arkansas state court and agreed to pay $7.5 million, a fraction of the original verdict of $1.2 billion.

According to Arkansas news sources, the proposed $7.5 million Risperdal settlement is awaiting approval from Judge Tim Fox in Pulaski County Court, though he has already approved the $2 million payment of legal fees in this Risperdal lawsuit. Judge Fox ordered both plaintiffs and defendants into mediation earlier this month, which led to the settlement agreement.

The original $1.2 billion verdict handed down by the Arkansas state court was the biggest Risperdal lawsuit award. The lawsuit alleged J&J and Janssen improperly marketed the atypical antipsychotic’s benefits and potential risks to doctors and patients.

The next largest Risperdal judgment was a $327 million award decided upon in South Carolina state court, though following an appeal of this particular Risperdal lawsuit this verdict was reduced to $135 million.

But why was this $1.2 billion Risperdal verdict in Arkansas court reduced to $7.5 million?

The Arkansas Supreme Court rejected the original $1.2 billion Risperdal lawsuit verdict in March 2014, because the claim was filed under a state law that only applies to healthcare facilities, not pharmaceutical companies like Janssen.

Despite agreeing to this Risperdal settlement, Janssen and J&J say they deny all liability when it comes to the Risperdal claims in this Risperdal lawsuit. This Risperdal settlement will, however, resolve the claims brought forth by the plaintiffs against J&J and Janssen.

Janssen and J&J are still facing over 1,000 Risperdal lawsuits in state and federal courts, some concerning the improper marketing of the drug, but a many more claiming Risperdal caused young men to develop male breasts, a condition known as gynecomastia.

What is Risperdal Gynecomastia?

Gynecomastia is a medical condition in which a male’s breast will become unnaturally enlarged. This condition is typically seen in adolescent boys, especially in those young men taking Risperdal.

Risperdal (risperidone) is an atypical, antipsychotic drug used by thousands of individuals to treat some mental health disorders including: schizophrenia, bipolar mania, and autistic disorder.

Risperdal is designed to block dopamine in order to manage certain mental disorders, which, in turn, may cause an individual’s pituitary gland to release prolactin as a response. The prolactin hormone then stimulates milk production, which in young men can lead to unnatural male breast growth as a Risperdal side effect.

While gynecomastia can also occur because of an individual’s low testosterone, the majority of young men represented in Risperdal gynecomastia lawsuits did not have a history of low testosterone and also did not have a medical or genetic predisposition to gynecomastia. This may indicate Risperdal might be the main culprit of their gynecomastia.

While gynecomastia is physically benign, it is the source of severe psychological stress for young men. Risperdal gynecomastia may lead to ongoing issues with body image and body acceptance.

Some symptoms of gynecomastia include:

  • Nipple discharge
  • Tenderness in the breast area
  • Pain in breast tissue
  • Swelling of breast tissue and nipples

Many young men, or their families, are choosing to file Risperdal lawsuits or Risperdal gynecomastia lawsuits against J&J and Janssen for the alleged male breast growth side effects. Among improper marketing allegations, these plaintiffs also claim that their development of Risperdal gynecomastia has caused them physical, emotional, and mental pain.

Do YOU have a legal claim? Fill out the form on this page now for a free, immediate, and confidential case evaluation. The Risperdal attorneys who work with Top Class Actions will contact you if you qualify to let you know if an individual lawsuit or Risperdal class action lawsuit is best for you. [In general, Risperdal lawsuits are filed individually by each plaintiff and are not class actions.] Hurry — statutes of limitations may apply.

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If you or your son took Risperdal between the ages of 10 and 18 years old and suffered gynecomastia (male breast growth), male breast pain, nipple pain, or nipple discharge, you may be entitled to compensation. See if you qualify by submitting your information below for a free and confidential case review.

An attorney will contact you if you qualify to discuss the details of your potential case at no charge to you.

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Please note: Top Class Actions is not a settlement administrator or law firm. Top Class Actions is a legal news source that reports on class action lawsuits, class action settlements, drug injury lawsuits and product liability lawsuits. Top Class Actions does not process claims and we cannot advise you on the status of any class action settlement claim. You must contact the settlement administrator or your attorney for any updates regarding your claim status, claim form or questions about when payments are expected to be mailed out.