J&J Faces 18,500 Pending Risperdal Lawsuits

Written By:
Jessie Paluch
Jessie Paluch

Attorney Jessie Paluch, founder of TruLaw, has over 25 years of experience as a personal injury and mass tort attorney, and previously worked as an international tax attorney at Deloitte. Jessie collaborates with attorneys nationwide — enabling her to share reliable, up-to-date legal information with our readers.

This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy and clarity by the team of writers and legal experts at TruLaw and is as accurate as possible. This content should not be taken as legal advice from an attorney. If you would like to learn more about our owner and experienced injury lawyer, Jessie Paluch, you can do so here.

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J&J Faces 18,500 Pending Risperdal Lawsuits

According to Johnson & Johnson’s 2016 annual report, as of January 1, 2017, 18,500 lawsuits have been filed against the company.

The lawsuits are alleging injuries due to the use of the antipsychotic drug Risperdal.

risperdal causes male breast growth

In spite of facing numerous lawsuits, and a podcast series devoted to the story of the marketing of Risperdal, J&J wrote in its annual report: “In the Company’s opinion, based on its examination of these matters, its experience to date and discussions with counsel, the ultimate outcome of legal proceedings … is not expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position.”

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Lawsuits Allege Link Between Risperdal and Gynecomastia

The Risperdal claims are primarily filed in state courts in Pennsylvania, California, and Missouri, but others are filed in courts across the U.S. A Risperdal mass tort centralized in Philadelphia’s Court of Common Pleas has produced multimillion-dollar verdicts against J&J and its subsidiary Janssen Pharmaceuticals, including a $70 million judgment handed down in July 2016 in favor of a Tennessee boy who developed a condition known as gynecomastia after taking Risperdal.

Plaintiffs claim that Johnson & Johnson and Janssen concealed data linking Risperdal to gynecomastia, and failed to provide doctors and patients with appropriate warnings regarding this risk.

What is Gynecomastia?

Risperdal plaintiffs claim that the drug can stimulate the pituitary gland to produce excessive amounts of prolactin.

The hormone that has been linked to the development of female-like breasts, or gynecomastia, in men and boys.

Gynecomastia is a condition in which boys and men develop tender and swollen breasts.

Surgery is often required to correct the condition.

Liposuction can be effective in removing excess breast tissue in mild to moderate cases.

In more severe cases, patients may need a mastectomy to remove breast tissue and excess breast skin.

Other side effects linked to Risperdal use include diabetes, osteoporosis, headaches, eye problems, and pancreatitis.

Written By:
Jessie Paluch
Jessie Paluch

Experienced Attorney & Legal SaaS CEO

With over 25 years of legal experience, Jessie is an Illinois lawyer, a CPA, and a mother of three.  She spent the first decade of her career working as an international tax attorney at Deloitte.

In 2009, Jessie co-founded her own law firm with her husband – which has scaled to over 30 employees since its conception.

In 2016, Jessie founded TruLaw, which allows her to collaborate with attorneys and legal experts across the United States on a daily basis. This hypervaluable network of experts is what enables her to share reliable legal information with her readers!

AFFF Lawsuit

AFFF Lawsuit claims are being filed against manufacturers of aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF), commonly used in firefighting.

Claims allege that companies such as 3M, DuPont, and Tyco Fire Products failed to adequately warn users about the potential dangers of AFFF exposure — including increased risks of various cancers and diseases.

Suboxone Lawsuit

Suboxone Tooth Decay Lawsuit claims are being filed against Indivior, the manufacturer of Suboxone, a medication used to treat opioid addiction.

Claims allege that Indivior failed to adequately warn users about the potential dangers of severe tooth decay and dental injuries associated with Suboxone’s sublingual film version.

Social Media Lawsuits

Social Media Harm Lawsuits are being filed against social media companies for allegedly causing mental health issues in children and teens.

Claims allege that companies like Meta, Google, ByteDance, and Snap designed addictive platforms that led to anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues without adequately warning users or parents.

Vaginal Mesh Lawsuits

Transvaginal Mesh Lawsuits are being filed against manufacturers of transvaginal mesh products used to treat pelvic organ prolapse (POP) and stress urinary incontinence (SUI).

Claims allege that companies like Ethicon, C.R. Bard, and Boston Scientific failed to adequately warn about potential dangers — including erosion, pain, and infection.

Bair Hugger Lawsuit

Bair Hugger Warming Blanket Lawsuits involve claims against 3M — alleging their surgical warming blankets caused severe infections and complications (particularly in hip and knee replacement surgeries).

Plaintiffs claim 3M failed to warn about potential risks — despite knowing about increased risk of deep joint infections since 2011.

Baby Formula NEC Lawsuit

Baby Formula NEC Lawsuit claims are being filed against manufacturers of cow’s milk-based baby formula products.

Claims allege that companies like Abbott Laboratories (Similac) and Mead Johnson & Company (Enfamil) failed to warn about the increased risk of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in premature infants.

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