Risperdal gynecomastia lawsuits move forward, as Pennsylvania mass tort program schedules March meeting

Risperdal lawsuits involving Johnson & Johnson medication to gynecomastia, (male breast growth) and other side effects allegedly associated with use of the atypical antipsychotic medication continue to move forward in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas, said Bernstein Liebhard LLP is a New York-based law firm representing the victims of defective drugs and medical devices in USA.

According to a notice posted on the Court’s website, the litigation is scheduled to convene a meeting on March 9, 2017.

“Our Firm is representing numerous Risperdal plaintiffs in cases involving excessive male breast growth. We look forward to next month’s meeting, and will monitor the Pennsylvania proceeding for any developments that could impact our clients’ cases,” said Sandy A. Liebhard, a partner at Bernstein Liebhard.

Manufactured by Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen Pharmaceuticals subsidiary, Risperdal is indicated to treat schizophrenia and other psychiatric disorders. Last November, Johnson & Johnson reported that at least 15,400 product liability claims had been filed in courts around the U.S. on behalf of individuals alleged to have suffered serious Risperdal side effects. The company also acknowledged that the number of claims was continuing to increase, said Bernstein in an announcement on Friday.

Furthermore, the lawfirm said that plaintiffs pursuing Risperdal gynecomastia lawsuits claimed that the drug can stimulate production of extra prolactin, a hormone instrumental in female breast development and lactation. Too much prolactin has also been linked to the development of female-like breasts, or gynecomastia, in men and boys. According to the New York-based law firm, the 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.

Risperdal Litigation

Bernstein Liebhard noted that the Pennsylvania litigation has convened six Risperdal gynecomastia trials since February 2015. Furthermore, the litigation’s second-largest verdict – $2.5 million – came at the conclusion of the first gynecomastia trial in February 2015.

There were cases where J&J didn’t have to pay, as a month later, the jury hearing a second case declined to award any damages to the plaintiff, after determining that there was not enough evidence to conclude that Risperdal had caused his breast growth. However, the law firm notes, they did find that the safety warnings provided to patients and doctors were inadequate. In November 2015, a third gynecomastia plaintiff was awarded $1.75 million, although the Court later reduced the verdict to $680,000. A fourth Risperdal trial ended in December 2015 with a verdict for the plaintiff in the amount of $500,000, the law firm said.

This past December, the judge presiding over Pennsylvania’s sixth Risperdal gynecomastia trial dismissed the case at its mid-point due to insufficient evidence. Confidential settlements have also been reached in several cases that had been scheduled for trial in the mass tort program, Bernstein Liebhard’s announcement says.