The U.S. Department of Justice said Johnson & Johnson illegally marketed Risperdal®. According to a former J & J sales manager, the company didn’t wait to obtain FDA approval before promoting its use for children.

J&J’s legal violations and failure to warn resulted in billions of dollars in US sales. Their misconduct affects some of the most vulnerable people in our society: children & adolescents with mental illness, behavioral disorders, and developmental disabilities.

Pending Lawsuits

Families are now filing legal claims against J & J alleging that Risperdal® causes male breast tissue enlargement, known as gynecomastia. This emotionally damaging condition can lead to boys needing mastectomies (surgical removal of breasts). Evidence has been presented in Court that the company deliberately misled the medical community about the extent of the risk of young men developing gynecomastia.

Settlements

Many have already received hundreds of thousands of dollars: Johnson & Johnson plead guilty to criminal charges and paid a $2.2 billion settlement to the U.S. government to resolve charges of its illegal promotion of Risperdal to children and the elderly.

Basis for a Claim

There are several circumstances that might provide the basis for a lawsuit, supported by evidence that Risperdal’s® manufacturer deliberately misled the medical community about the extent of the risk of young men developing gynecomastia, a condition that causes male breast tissue enlargement.

Each case is different and each patient is distinct. An expert attorney with a thorough understanding of the law as well as the facts regarding Risperdal®, their manufacture, and the complications that may arise can help you evaluate the unique circumstances of your case, determine your options, and advise you on how to proceed.

If you do have grounds for a lawsuit, it doesn’t mean those responsible for your suffering will simply write you a check. The manufacturers and physicians have deep pockets, lawyers, and insurance companies on their side. Confronting them requires skill and fortitude — you need an advocate who will fight for the just compensation to which you are legally entitled.

Gynecomastia is an emotionally damaging condition that can have a severe psychological impact on those affected. The psychological trauma from this condition include depression, poor body image, humiliation, self-loathing, social isolation or suicidal thoughts. In some cases, the development of gynecomastia even led boys to seek surgical treatment, including mastectomies (the surgical removal of breasts).

Statute of Limitations

As with any product liability or personal injury litigation, there are strict statutes of limitation. You only have a limited amount of time to file a suit once your adverse symptoms begin. These limitations vary by state and jurisdiction. In most states, the statute of limitations is two years, however, when those two years begin varies for each case. For Risperdal® lawsuits the statute of limitations does not necessarily begin the date you took the drug or the date the condition developed, but rather until you reasonably suspect or discover the cause of your injury. It is therefore imperative that you contact an attorney if you developed breasts after taking Risperdal®.

Steps to Filing a Lawsuit

In order to file a lawsuit and receive just compensation, we must first conduct an investigation to establish that injured by Risperdal®. We will order your medical records and review them at no charge to you. Once we conduct this review, we will discuss when and where to file a claim on your behalf. You will never owe us anything unless we obtain a recovery for you.

We Can Help

Additional activities may be required depending on the unique circumstances of your case, and there are numerous legal procedures to complete. It may feel overwhelming to tackle all this work and take on a confrontation with a big manufacturer while you are dealing with pain or other complications from your gynecomastia. Avram Blair & Associates P.C. can help. That’s what we’re here for. We have experience handling these types of cases and we have staff standing ready to help you.

Call Avram Blair & Associates P.C. at (800) 480-6438 or fill out our contact form for a free consultation. We will listen to your story, assess your chances for a successful claim, advise you on how to move forward.