420 Risperdal Lawsuits Pending Against Johnson & Johnson

Risperdal (risperidone) is a therapeutic medication for children with autism and bipolar disorder, approved in 2006. Despite being on the international market since 1993, it was only approved in the United States recently due for the need for antipsychotic medication for children and young adults. At the time of its approval, the side effects of Risperdal were not known, resulting in hundreds of product liability lawsuits against the drug’s manufacturer, Johnson & Johnson, alleging that many male patients developed breasts from the drug.

Male breast growth (gynecomastia) is a condition where breast tissue in a male patient grows despite the lack of estrogen. This condition can sometimes be painful and may require surgery to correct it. While it is currently unknown as to what exactly causes this Risperdal side effect, many medical experts believe that the main component of the drug, risperidone, may increase the body’s levels of prolactin, the same hormone which triggers breast development in women. As mentioned earlier, this hormone may cause boys to develop breast tissue, and may experience painful breasts, nipple pain, and even lactation discharge.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and medical experts have severely criticized Johnson & Johnson for releasing this drug without knowing its consequences, and not labeling this condition as a side effect. The first Risperdal lawsuit was settled in 2012, when a 21-year-old plaintiff sued Johnson & Johnson for the injuries he sustained from using Risperdal. These injuries included the trauma of developing man boobs, the treatment he had to undergo, and the corrective surgery. While this plaintiff won the trial, the settlement terms of this case are confidential.

At one point, Johnson & Johnson was accused of negligent advertising and public endangerment for misrepresenting Risperdal to mentally challenged clientele.

Risperdal Litigation Movement

Currently, there are approximately 420 Risperdal lawsuits pending against Johnson & Johnson, and its Janssen Pharmaceuticals’ unit, each alleging injuries induced by Risperdal. About 130 of these lawsuits involve young men who allege that the drug caused them to grow man breasts. Luckily, at least 250 Risperdal lawsuits are currently pending in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas in Pennsylvania, all of which were filed on behalf of individuals who were allegedly harmed by the drug. Most of these plaintiffs are seeking damages for medical compensation, pain and suffering, and other punitive charges. The charges these plaintiffs are beginning include: negligence, false advertising, misrepresenting a product, and concealing information.

>>Johnson & Johnson Lawsuits

As of November 4th, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced that Johnson & Johnson had agreed to pay $2.2 million to settle several civil claims. Each of these claims alleged that the company improperly marketed Risperdal and other drugs, and that the company had marketed for pediatric purposes long before it was approved to do so by the FDA, in 2006. Federal prosecutors also charged that the company knew that Risperdal posed serious risks to children, especially with the side effect of male breast growth.

The Risperdal lawsuits have been consolidated into the U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Pennsylvania as Case No. 04-cv-1529.

File a Risperdal Lawsuit Today

If you or a loved one took Risperdal between the ages of 10 and 18 and experienced male breast growth, you have legal options. Please visit the Risperdal Male Breast Growth Side Effect Class Action Lawsuit Investigation page. 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.