March 14, 2016 / by Brett Katsma / Risperdal Lawsuits
The Wall Street Journal reported that a Philadelphia jury held Johnson & Johnson (J&J) liable for failing to warn that its antipsychotic drug Risperdal could cause gynecomastia and ordered the company to pay $2.5 million in damages. The family of an autistic boy who took Risperdal between 2002 and 2006 and later developed size 46DD breasts brought the suit, claiming J&J hid the risks of male breast development with the use of Risperdal in young boys and men. While J&J settled a number of these claims over the past few years, this was the first one to go to trial where J&J was accused of hiding data from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as well as prescribing doctors and parents. One law school professor from the University of Richmond commented that the verdict “doesn’t bode well for the company,” but cautioned that J&J would most likely want to see more jury verdicts before seriously considering settlement negotiations for the 1,200 similar lawsuits filed against the company. For its part, J&J said it would consider its options going forward, including a possible appeal of the verdict.
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J&J’s Janssen Pharmaceuticals Under Fire Again in Risperdal Trial
July 20, 2016 / by Brett Katsma / Risperdal Lawsuits
Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen Pharmaceuticals came under fire again when a Philadelphia jury awarded $70 million to the family of a boy who developed breasts while taking the company’s antipsychotic drug Risperdal. Apparently the jury found that Janssen intentionally falsified, destroyed or concealed evidence in the case in reaching its decision. These allegations come after J&J and Janssen already paid over $2.2 billion back in 2013 to resolve civil and criminal investigations by the U.S. Department of Justice into its marketing of Risperdal and several other drugs. The $70 million verdict here dwarfs the next largest jury award in a Risperdal case which was $2.5 million. Perhaps this could be a sign that people are tired of J&J and Janssen putting its revenues ahead of the health and well-being of its consumers. This trend in jury awards could be particularly troubling for the company as J&J is still facing over 12,000 claims regarding Risperdal.
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Jury Awards $70 Million in Risperdal Trial
July 20, 2016 / by Brett Katsma / Risperdal Lawsuits
In early July, a jury in a Philadelphia courtroom awarded $70 million to the family of a boy who developed breasts after taking the antipsychotic drug Risperdal. The jury found that the maker of Risperdal, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, failed to warn the boy’s healthcare providers that there was a risk of gynecomastia (breast growth in men) with use of the drug. The boy’s lawyers say he developed gynecomastia at the age of five as a result of taking Risperdal. A Janssen spokeswoman said the $70 million award was “clearly excessive” and said the company plans on asking the court to review it.
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Troubling Allegations in Risperdal Trial
March 14, 2016 / by Brett Katsma / Risperdal Lawsuits
The most troubling aspect of a recent case decided against Johnson & Johnson (J&J) concerning its antipsychotic drug Risperdal is the allegation that the company deliberately withheld data from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. An expert witness testified that J&J knew about the risk of gynecomastia associated with Risperdal but failed to show the complete extent to which young people may develop it when using the drug. This is troubling because it appears to be proof that the company is putting its bottom line ahead of the health and wellbeing of our country’s children. Apparently J&J decided its revenues were more important than the psychological trauma suffered by young men who took Risperdal and had their lives turned upside down when they began to develop breasts. These companies should be held liable for their actions and it was good to see a Philadelphia jury decide accordingly.
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Jury Awards $2.5 Million in Risperdal Trial
March 14, 2016 / by Brett Katsma / Risperdal Lawsuits
The Wall Street Journal reported that a Philadelphia jury held Johnson & Johnson (J&J) liable for failing to warn that its antipsychotic drug Risperdal could cause gynecomastia and ordered the company to pay $2.5 million in damages. The family of an autistic boy who took Risperdal between 2002 and 2006 and later developed size 46DD breasts brought the suit, claiming J&J hid the risks of male breast development with the use of Risperdal in young boys and men. While J&J settled a number of these claims over the past few years, this was the first one to go to trial where J&J was accused of hiding data from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as well as prescribing doctors and parents. One law school professor from the University of Richmond commented that the verdict “doesn’t bode well for the company,” but cautioned that J&J would most likely want to see more jury verdicts before seriously considering settlement negotiations for the 1,200 similar lawsuits filed against the company. For its part, J&J said it would consider its options going forward, including a possible appeal of the verdict.
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