Should YOU Consider a Risperdal Gynecomastia Lawsuit?
Clinical trials have suggested that the antipsychotic medication known as Risperdal can cause serious and life-threatening side effects, including gynecomastia, or abnormal breast development in children and adolescents. Risperdal, a medication prescribed to treat bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, is the basis of Risperdal gynecomastia lawsuits filed by plaintiffs who have allegedly experienced side effects while taking the medication.
Additionally, several concerned states have filed civil and criminal lawsuits concerning the marketing of Risperdal. In November 2013, Risperdal’s manufacturer, Johnson & Johnson, reached a $2.2 billion settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice over claims that the drug maker improperly promoted the medication to children, the elderly and those with developmental disabilities.
Plaintiffs Claim Adverse Side Effects from Risperdal
Risperdal increases prolactin levels, or the hormone responsible for breast growth and lactation. As a result, young boys and male teenagers who took the medication may find themselves developing gynecomastia. Those who have been negatively affected by Risperdal may be eligible to file a Risperdal gynecomastia lawsuit in Mississippi to hold the manufacturers responsible for compensation for their injuries. Gynecomastia is often evident by the following symptoms:
- Nipple discharge from one or both breasts
- Breast tenderness
- Pain in the breasts or nipples
- Swelling of the breast tissue
Contact an experienced attorney to learn more about seeking compensation for your injuries through a Risperdal gynecomastia lawsuit. Boys who have suffered from breast development have claimed they feel embarrassed and emotionally traumatized by the condition. They may be eligible to recover damages for medical treatments and expenses for liposuction, mastectomy or other procedures necessary to remove or treat the affected area.
Montana Settlement Reached; Similar Claims Pending in Mississippi
The State Attorney General of Montana filed a Risperdal gynecomastia lawsuit in 2008. Court documents indicate that the lawsuit accused Johnson & Johnson of over-promoting the benefits of Risperdal while downplaying or hiding the potential risks to vulnerable populations such as the elderly, even though the manufacturer was allegedly aware of Risperdal’s connection to diabetes and gynecomastia.
Additionally, the state alleged that Johnson & Johnson promoted Risperdal for use in children before the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved it for this use in 2006. Other claims asserted that Johnson & Johnson advertised the medication for disorders and conditions for which it was not intended nor tested. This lawsuit was separate from the $2.2 billion settlement in November 2013, as the state chose to file separately; similar cases are pending in Mississippi and Kentucky.
Plaintiffs may consider filing a Risperdal gynecomastia lawsuit in Mississippi if they have developed gynecomastia or suffered from other complications while taking Risperdal. Those seeking compensation throughout the U.S. claim that Johnson & Johnson and Janssen Pharmaceuticals negligently marketed the product for off-label purposes and failed to warn the medical and public communities of the potential for adverse side effects. Many plaintiffs claim that, had they known of the possible dangers associated with Risperdal, they would have chosen an alternative form of treatment.
Attorney Group for Mississippi Can Help
If you have taken Risperdal and you would like to learn more about filing a Risperdal gynecomastia lawsuit in Mississippi to seek compensation for your injuries, contact Attorney Group for Mississippi. We can review your case and help you determine if you are eligible to recover damages you incurred from medical expenses and treatments, lost wages or loss of earning capacity, pain and suffering and any emotional or physical trauma you may have endured as a result of your gynecomastia condition. Contact us today for your free, no-obligation consultation.
