Johnson & Johnson and its Janssen Pharmaceuticals unit have agreed to a settlement in the amount of $5.9 million to end a Risperdal lawsuit filed by the Montana Attorney General’s Office. The lawsuit was filed because the government there had accused the companies of illegal marketing of its antipsychotic medication. These alleged marketing tactics included generally deceptive practices and marketing the drug to children. Montana also alleged that Janssen Pharmaceuticals had concealed the risks associated with Risperdal side effects. As is commonly the case with these matters, the settlement included no admission of wrongdoing.
This Risperdal lawsuit settlement is hardly the only claim of this kind that has been made against Johnson & Johnson and Janssen Pharmaceuticals. In November of last year, Johnson & Johnson agreed to pay $2.2 billion to settle charges that had been made by the United States Department of Justice. Those allegations were similar in that the federal government alleged that Janssen Pharmaceuticals was marketing Risperdal illegally and that it had concealed information regarding the possibility that using this medication could lead to serious Risperdal side effects. One difference between this case and the one in Montana was that the two companies did admit to committing the misdemeanor of misbranding Risperdal as usable by elderly patients with dementia.
Other Problems With Risperdal
In addition to the legal claims described above, Johnson & Johnson and Janssen Pharmaceuticals have been named as the defendants in more than 200 defective products lawsuits that were filed by people across the United States. Those claims have been consolidated into one large action in Pennsylvania, and the allegations regarding Risperdal side effects tend to deal with a relatively rare condition known as gynecomastia. Gynecomastia is a condition whereby males experience a sudden growth of their breasts.
Once again, many of the individual claims made in this Risperdal side effects litigation state that Johnson & Johnson and Janssen Pharmaceuticals knew about the risks but did not warn the public. Gynecomastia may seem like a relatively minor medical problem, but the fact of the matter is that many patients have to undergo surgery to correct it. In addition, when younger males suffer from gynecomastia, they can be the subject of intense ridicule to the point where they suffer from psychological and emotional trauma.
What This Means for Consumers
The growing legal storm surrounding Risperdal could continue to affect consumers into the future. Those who encounter Risperdal side effects should take actions to protect their legal rights. However, an individual consumer is usually not in a strong position when dealing with a corporate giant such as Johnson & Johnson or Janssen Pharmaceuticals. Companies of this size have vast resources that can be used to protect them from liability.
Instead, people who are harmed by this medication need to seek the help of Risperdal lawyers who understand what it takes to hold large corporations accountable. If this includes you or someone you love, contact Parilman & Associates today to schedule a free initial consultation. You can do so either by emailing the firm or by calling 800-800-DRUG.
