QUESTION

What is the Latest Status of the Risperdal Breast Growth Litigation for Boys with Gynecomastia?

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ANSWER

Thousands of product liability lawsuits are pending throughout the United States on behalf boys and young men who have been diagnosed with male breast growth from Risperdal use as a child.

While a number of juries have ordered Johnson & Johnson to pay substantial damages for failing to warn about the risk of Risperdal problems, a growing number of cases continue to be filed and the litigation is far from over.

Most of the current Risperdal litigation is pending in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas in Pennsylvania, where a small group of cases are going before juries as part of a bellwether trial process and a handful of Risperdal settlements have been reached in certain cases.

Early trials being held in select cases are designed to help gauge how juries may respond to certain evidence and testimony that is likely to be repeated throughout the litigation, went before a Pennsylvania jury. Following evidence that suggested that Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen unit knew about the risk of gynecomastia from Risperdal as early as 2001, a jury in February 2015 awarded $2.5 million in damages to a 20 year old man who started using the drug for autism when he was 8 years old.

At least two additional Risperdal bellwether cases have resulted in substantial damage awards for teens or young men who suffered male breast growth, including a verdict of $1.75 million in November 2015 and $500,000 in December 2015.  

In July 2016, a jury awarded a record-setting $70 million in damages to the family of a five year old boy diagnosed with gynecomastia following use of Risperdal, highlighting the extent of liability the drug maker may face if they continue to defend claims at trial.

Allegations Raised in the Litigation

Risperdal Injury Litigation

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All of the complaints involve similar allegations that Johnson & Johnson failed to provide adequate warnings for consumers and the medical communities about the potential risk of breast growth for young boys given Risperdal.

Side effects of Risperdal have been linked to a condition known as gynecomastia for boys, which involves the growth of breasts among males. This breast development can have serious and devastating effect throughout childhood, with long-lasting effects as a young adult.

Although the first Risperdal trials are now underway and Johnson & Johnson has previously agreed to settle some Risperdal cases, the litigation remains in the early stages and additional claims continue to be reviewed and filed by the Risperdal lawyers at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A.

Potential claims are being reviewed for former users of Risperdal who have experienced symptoms of gynecomastia, including:

  • Breast growth
  • Puffy nipples or enlarged nipples
  • Painful breasts or nipple discharge
  • Mastectomy or surgery to remove male breasts

As the gynecomastia litigation over Risperdal continues, it is expected that additional cases will be scheduled for early trial dates if the manufacturer fails to settle additional claims.

Based on the serious problems caused by breast growth from Risperdal and the substantial damages that juries are likely to award, Johnson & Johnson may face pressure to start negotiating settlements to avoid hundreds of individual trial dates.

To review whether you or a loved one may be entitled to financial compensation through the Risperdal product liability litigation, request a free consultation and claim evaluation. All cases are reviewed confidentially and there is no obligation to hire an attorney after discussing the potential Risperdal claim and the latest status of the litigation.

CONTACT OUR LAWYERS ABOUT THE RISPERDAL LITIGATION

Austin Kirk

Last Updated July 5, 2016
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2 Comments

2 Comments • Add Your Comments

  • Lane says:

    Have their been any recent lawsuits settled against Risperadal involving contributing death in an elderly person who was prescribed this ?

    Posted on October 27, 2015 at 11:50 am

  • John says:

    I have diabetes and have man boobs and I was on risperdal

    Posted on January 5, 2017 at 9:18 pm

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