Whistleblowers Were Deciding Factor in Risperdal Settlement

According to a recent report from Bloomberg.com, eight whistleblowers, including five former Johnson & Johnson employees, were vital to a landmark lawsuit settlement pertaining to Risperdal side effects. These whistleblowers were instrumental in presenting evidence in the case, which involved a 10-year investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice against the company.

As a reward for their cooperation, seven of these whistleblowers will receive a multimillion dollar share of the federal government’s recovery from the Risperdal settlement. The eighth whistleblower received $20.3 million last year from Johnson & Johnson’s $158 million Risperdal settlement with the state of Texas.

On Nov. 4, 2013, the Justice Department announced that Johnson & Johnson had agreed to settle the Risperdal lawsuits for $2.2 billion. Each of the lawsuits involved alleged that the company illegally marketed the medication to children when it had not been approved to be used as such, and that the medication caused embarrassing and painful side effects for adolescent male patients. According to the Risperdal lawsuits, the medication caused young male patients to develop breasts, breast pain, nipple pain, and even nipple discharge.

Overview of Risperdal Complications

Risperdal (risperidone) is an antipsychotic medication for minor patients with autism and bipolar disorder. Although the drug was not approved in the U.S. until 2003, it was discovered that Risperdal had been sold to treat these conditions by Johnson & Johnson long before its approval date. Even at the time of the drug’s official approval, the side effects of Risperdal were not known, resulting in the unintentional development of gynecomastia.

Gynecomastia is the condition in which male breast growth occurs due to the development of tissue in the breast area. According to medical experts, risperidone, the main component of Risperdal, may increase the body’s levels of prolactin, which is the same hormone that promotes breast development in women. Gynecomastia may require surgery to correct, and can result in permanent side effects if not treated properly.

Currently, there are approximately 420 Risperdal lawsuits pending against Johnson & Johnson, each alleging that Risperdal induced some form of injury in them. Of these lawsuits, 130 allege that Risperdal caused the plaintiff to develop gynecomastia.

The Risperdal lawsuits have been consolidated into In re: Risperdal Litigation, Case no. 100300296, in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas.

File a Risperdal Lawsuit Today

If you or a loved one have been victim of a Risperdal male breast growth injury, you have legal options. Please visit the Risperdal Male Breast Growth Side Effect Class Action Lawsuit Investigation. There, you can submit your claim for a free legal review and if it qualifies for legal action, a seasoned Risperdal lawyer will contact you for a free, no-obligation consultation. You will be guided through the litigation process at no out-of-pocket expenses or hidden fees. The male breast growth attorneys working this investigation do not get paid until you do.