Risperdal Lawsuit Settles Three Days Before Trial

Analyze My Case
  • Last Updated: August 13th, 2023
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.

TruLaw does everything possible to make sure the information in this article is up to date and accurate. If you need specific legal advice about your case, contact us by using the chat on the bottom of this page. This article should not be taken as advice from an attorney.

Risperdal Lawsuit Settles Three Days Before Trial

Johnson & Johnson settled the seventh Risperdal case scheduled to go before a jury in Philadelphia’s mass tort program on January 6, just three days before the trial was to begin.

risperdal causes male breast growth

The latest lawsuit involved a New York man who alleged that he developed gynecomastia as a result of taking the antipsychotic medication Risperdal.

The plaintiff was prescribed the drug “off-label,” meaning for a use that was not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and took it from 2002 until 2011.

The FDA did not approve Risperdal for use in children and adolescents until 2006.

Table of Contents

What is Gynecomastia?

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

Surgery is often required to correct the condition, although 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.

A 2014 study presented at an annual meeting of the American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry concluded that users of Risperdal might face as much as a 69 percent increased risk of gynecomastia compared to those who have not taken the medication.

Because of the study’s results, researchers suggested that doctors prescribe Zyprexa or Seroquel to males instead of Risperdal to reduce the chances of developing gynecomastia and other harmful conditions and side effects.

Risperdal Litigation Timeline

Johnson and Johnson has maintained a busy litigation schedule related to its antipsychotic medication for over a year:

  • In the first Philadelphia Risperdal trial, a jury awarded the plaintiff $2.5 million in February 2015.
  • The second Risperdal trial returned a verdict in favor of Janssen, although the jury determined that the Risperdal labeling did not provide adequate warnings about the drug’s potential risks.
  • The third and fourth Risperdal trials returned verdicts of $1.75 million (later reduced to $680,000) and $500,000 for plaintiffs.
  • The fifth Risperdal case ended with a $70 million verdict in favor of the plaintiff, later increased by more than $6 million.
  • The sixth case, now on appeal, was dismissed before trial in late October after the judge granted Janssen’s motion for summary judgment.

Two more Risperdal cases are scheduled for trial on February 21, according to the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas Trial Division.

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!

Camp Lejeune Lawsuit

Camp Lejeune’s water contamination issue spanned several decades starting in the 1950s. Exposure to these chemicals has been linked to various serious health issues, including cancer, organ diseases, and death.

Tylenol Lawsuit

Research is increasingly suggesting a link between the use of Tylenol during pregnancy and the development of neurodevelopmental disorders, such as autism and ADHD, in infants.

AFFF Lawsuit

Legal action is being taken against manufacturers of Aqueous Film-Forming Foam (AFFF), a chemical used in fighting fires. The plaintiffs allege that exposure to the foam caused health issues such as cancer, organ damage, and birth and fertility issues.

Do You
Have A Case?

Here, at TruLaw, we’re committed to helping victims get the justice they deserve.

Alongside our partner law firms, we have successfully collected over $3 Billion in verdicts and settlements on behalf of injured individuals.

Would you like our help?

Related Articles

Helpful Sites & Resources