J&J’s Appeal for Risperdal Gynecomastia Case Denied by PA Supreme Court
The Pennsylvania Supreme Court declined Monday August 5, 2019 to hear an appeal of a Risperdal case involving Johnson & Johnson and an Alabama family according to an article by the Pennsylvania Record. The appeal was made by Johnson & Johnson’s subsidiary Janssen Pharmaceuticals, developers of the Risperdal drug.
Developing Gynecomastia
With the original lawsuit, the plaintiffs claimed that using the Risperdal drug which is an antipsychotic for their son who has autism, caused him to develop a condition known as gynecomastia where males develop large breasts. Without a surgical procedure (a mastectomy) the condition is permanent.
Johnson & Johnson tried to paint plaintiffs as trying to game the trial system after they switched out a doctor who had given a deposition but was not licensed to practice medicine in Alabama. The legal counsel for the plaintiffs used another doctor during the trial proceedings. However, the judge said the pharmaceutical company seemed to be waiting for just the right time to bring the issue up and possibly turn the tide in their favor.
Possible Future Damages
The lawsuit has now been sent back to lower courts to determine if punitive damages are allowed in this case. Johnson & Johnson continues their legal fight, as many other cases involving Risperdal and the development of this condition have been filed by other plaintiffs.
Injured by a Bad Drug?
If you or a loved one has been injured through the use of Risperdal or other pharmaceutical drugs contact our team at (303)-999-9999 or (303)-835-9342 to schedule a free consultation. Click here to view our practice area page on pharmaceuticals for more information.
