Following a trial regarding Johnson & Johnson’s Risperdal drug, a Philadelphia judge clashed with company lawyers over “fabricated” accusations.

After a verdict handed down a $8 billion verdict in a Risperdal lawsuit trial, lawyers for Johnson & Johnson subsidiary Janssen Pharmaceuticals asked Judge Kenneth Powell to step down from overseeing the post-trial decisions. The company lawyers claimed that Judge Powell displayed “bias and hostility” during the trial in his rulings.

Judge Powell strongly protested this motion, saying that the lawyers “fabricated” accusations of his behavior in order to support their argument. The judge contested defendant claims that he high fived jurors after they handed down the $8 billion verdict, calling these claims a “fabrication” and “disingenuous.”

Instead, the judge reportedly shook hands with the jurors following the trial and handed out certificates. Judge Powell argued that these actions are completely normal and in no way reflect his personal thoughts on a verdict’s outcome.

The judge argues that instead of blaming the judge, the lawyers should look at their own actions.

“You lost the case, period,” Judge Powell told Janssen’s lawyer, Law360 reports. “It was not tried well, and if you don’t know that, then I don’t think you’re the lawyer I thought you were.”

Judge Powell maintains that he made his decisions based on the evidence brought during the trial and notes that any errors he may have made can be disputed in appeal.

Risperdal Drug Concerns

The plaintiff in the Risperdal drug trial claimed that the medication caused abnormal breast growth – a side effect that was allegedly withheld by Johnson and Johnson.

Risperdal (risperidone) is a mental health and mood medication used to treat a variety of conditions and symptoms including schizophrenia, bipolar, and irritability associated with autism. The atypical antipsychotic reportedly works by changing the way certain substances work in the brain.

Plaintiff Nicholas M. claimed in his lawsuit that drug manufacturer Johnson & Johnson failed to warn him and other consumers that they may develop gynecomastia (a condition involving the enlargement of breast tissue in men).

Nicholas was allegedly prescribed the drug off-label when he was a minor in 2003 to help treat his autism symptoms. Afterwards, he allegedly developed enlarged breast tissue as an unwarned side effect.

Following the Risperdal trial, Nicholas was reportedly awarded $8 billion in punitive damages along with $680,000 in compensatory damages, CNBC reports.

Johnson & Johnson responded to the award in a statement saying: “This award is grossly disproportionate with the initial compensatory award in this case, and the company is confident it will be overturned.”

The company argues that the $8 billion in punitive damages is in “stark contrast” with the $680,000 compensatory damages award. This double digit multiplier difference is allegedly a “clear violation of due process,” which they reportedly plan to appeal.

The Supreme Court has reportedly determined that double digit multiplier differences between punitive awards and compensatory awards are a often a violation to due process. Few awards reportedly justify this massive difference.

The Risperdal Drug Lawsuit is Case No. 130401990 in the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania.

Join a Free Risperdal Side Effects Lawsuit Investigation

If you or your son took Risperdal and experienced any of the following Risperdal side effects listed below, you may qualify to pursue compensation for your injuries:

• Male breast growth
• Man boobs
• Gynecomastia
• Painful breasts
• Nipple pain
• Nipple discharge

See if you qualify by filling out the form on this page for a free case evaluation by a Risperdal gynecomastia attorney. 

Learn More