A hearing is scheduled to take place next week before a Pennsylvania judge presiding over all Risperdal enlarged breasts lawsuits that have been filed in the state. These cases include allegations that have been brought by young men and boys who claim they developed male breasts, or gynecomastia, after taking Risperdal, a popular antipsychotic medication.
Risperdal Lawyers to Meet with Judge
Currently, there an estimated 1,200 product liability lawsuits pending against Janssen Pharmaceuticals and its parent company, Johnson & Johnson, in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas. The cases allege generally that the drug manufacturers neglected to adequately warn both consumers and the medical community about the risk of developing gynecomastia in young boys taking the medication.
A calendar entry posted by the Philadelphia Court’s Complex Litigation Center states that lawyers involved in the Risperdal enlarged breasts litigation are scheduled for a hearing with the judge presiding over the lawsuits from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. on January 12, 2015.
Gynecomastia Associated with Male Breast Growth
Gynecomastia is a medical disorder associated with abnormal breast growth among males. In many of the Risperdal enlarged breasts claims, plaintiffs allege that they developed breasts while taking Risperdal, resulting in the need for surgical procedures to remove the affected tissues. In many cases, plaintiffs reportedly suffered from physical injury and scarring, as well as severe embarrassment and psychological injury from the breast growth.
While Johnson & Johnson has been quietly handling the growing litigation involving Risperdal for years, the number of cases has continued to grow as more young adults and families learn that there may be a potential relationship between complications experienced following a gynecomastia diagnosis and the use of Risperdal as a child or adolescent.
Several Risperdal bellwether trials are expected to begin in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas in 2015, and these cases are expected to assist the parties in gauging how juries may react to certain testimony and evidence that are likely to continually occur throughout the litigation. While the outcomes of the bellwether trials are not necessarily indicative of each specific case that will be filed in the future, they may influence how Johnson & Johnson will settle additional claims in the future and prompt the company to reach settlements outside of the court if they find that juries are ruling in favor of the plaintiffs.
A number of Risperdal lawsuits were scheduled to go before juries in Philadelphia in 2012, but Johnson & Johnson reportedly reached agreements to settle these cases outside of the court just as the trials were scheduled to begin.
Are You Suffering from Risperdal Enlarged Breasts?
If you or a male you love took Risperdal and you are suffering from gynecomastia, and you believe that Risperdal was the cause, you may be eligible to pursue a claim and seek compensation for your condition. Signs and symptoms of gynecomastia include the following:
• Breast tenderness
• Swollen breast gland tissue
• Lactation or nipple discharge from one or both breasts
• Swelling and pain
Attorney Group can help you determine whether you have a claim for compensation. If you do, we can refer you to an affiliated attorney who can file a lawsuit on your behalf and assist you in recovering the damages to which you may be entitled. There are no out-of-pocket costs, and you may be eligible for monetary compensation for expenses such as pain and suffering, lost wages, and medical bills. For additional details about how you may be able to participate in the growing Risperdal litigation, please contact Attorney Group.
