Nearly a year and a half later, Johnson & Johnson (J&J) is back in court, fighting claims that they marketed the drug for use in young boys without properly warning patients about the potential development of gynecomastia – an imbalance of the hormones estrogen and testosterone that promotes male development of breast tissue.
Case Against Johnson & Johnson Heard in Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas
The case is being heard in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas on behalf of the plaintiff, a young man (now age 20) whose lawyers state was prescribed Risperdal “off-label” at eight years old, prompting the development of significant breast tissue that can only be addressed through a mastectomy.
Attorneys for J&J claim that the FDA-approved label contained language that warned of the potential for hormone imbalance which was sufficient warning of gynecomastia development.
Johnson & Johnson Risperdal Penalties Amount to Nearly $4 Billion
Johnson & Johnson’s legal battles regarding Risperdal have been quite costly, nearing a whopping $4 billion. The astronomical amount of money includes settlements of federal claims regarding misrepresentation and off-label marketing as well as civil claims in 36 states. It also includes verdicts that J&J eventually had reversed. But when you consider the fact that Risperdal brought in over $24 billion in seven years, the almost $4 billion seems like nothing. J&J paid out FOUR BILLION DOLLARS in penalties for putting lives in danger but still walked away with TWENTY BILLION DOLLARS in profits. Considering this huge disparity between profits and penalties, what incentive is there for a pharmaceutical company to keep the safety of its consumers a top priority?
New Jersey and Philadelphia Personal Injury Lawyers
The Philadelphia personal injury lawyers at Messa & Associates are experienced at handling cases involving pharmaceutical and drug product injuries. Our extremely skilled team of personal injury lawyers and medical experts is dedicated to ensuring you receive proper compensation for your personal injuries. If you have suffered an injury as a result of the use of Risperdal, a defective pharmaceutical drug product, or any other type of personal injury, contact the personal injury lawyers of Messa & Associates for a free consultation. Call toll free at 1-877-MessaLaw, or submit a free online inquiry.
