Risperdal Injury Case Slashed Down
This past Friday the 24th, a Pennsylvania judge reduced the significant reward of $8 billion dollars for a successful lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson over their product, Risperdal, to $6.8 million. Risperdal was a commonly prescribed antipsychotic drug that caused a number of dangerous side effects that injured many people who went on to file lawsuits like the one that recently had its reward cut down to size.
The Philadelphia judge named Kenneth Powell of the Court of Common Pleas brought down the amount that was to be paid out by Johnson & Johnson to a plaintiff named Nicholas Murray. So far, no reason has been given for why such a reduction of such magnitude was initiated, but Murray’s reward for his successful lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson was only one of many thousands of lawsuits that have successfully sued Johnson & Johnson over their drug, Risperdal.
Nicholas Murray and Johnson & Johnson Risperdal Case
Nicholas Murray is a Maryland resident who was prescribed Risperdal back in 2003 at the age of 9 years old in order to help treat symptoms related to autism. Upon developing symptoms from Risperdal use, such as the infamous development of feminine breast tissue, also known as gynecomastia, Murray sued the massive medical product manufacturer and received restitution that is now being reduced.
When it comes to Risperdal lawsuits, there has been a large number of people affected by the negligent acts of Johnson & Johnson, and as a result, the medical product manufacturer stated that they faced lawsuits over the product’s dangerous effects from 13,600 people. In 2013, Johnson & Johnson agreed to pay out $2.2 billion in order to avoid criminal and civil probes into its marketing of not only Risperdal but two other drugs they manufactured as well.
Overall, Johnson & Johnson’s handling of these Risperdal lawsuits could be considered problematic, to say the least, which is really not unusual for lawsuits of this nature where major companies stand to lose billions over their negligence. The massive pharmaceutical company Bayer has had similar woes in regard to their own batch of lawsuits over their Roundup weedkiller causing cancer development among consumers. Both companies have been found to take measures to obscure the facts on what their products are capable of doing, and now both are having the payouts of successful lawsuits reduced from billions to millions.
What does this Mean for My Risperdal Case?
The reduction of rewards of high profile lawsuits like this Risperdal suit is not entirely unusual. As mentioned before, the same has happened with the Bayer Roundup weedkiller lawsuits. Parties with so much to lose, like Johnson & Johnson, have immense resources at their disposal and will do everything possible to ensure that they lose the minimal amount of money. This means that they will appeal these cases and exhaust their legal options to at least reduce the money they have to pay. In this case, with the Murray case, there has been no reason specified for the reduction so far, but it is safe to assume that the details will impact the many thousands of people still waiting for compensation for their Risperdal caused injuries.
How Can Risperdal Hurt Someone?
As mentioned before, one of the primary reasons for many Risperdal lawsuits against Johnson & Johnson is because of how the antipsychotic can cause the development of feminine breast tissue among the males that use it. However, this is only one of many side effects that the drug causes that has harmed many people.
Common Side Effects
Risperdal, or Risperidone as it is also known. has several side effects that can plague those who take it. Some of the more simple side effects can include nausea, vomiting, anxiety, and fatigue, which many other drugs will occasionally cause for some users.
Early Breast Development and Lactation
One of the other side effects of Risperdal is lactation among young girls who have taken the drug. Risperdal causes the secretion of a hormone known as prolactin which causes the growth of feminine breast tissue among boys that take Risperdal but also affects young girls by causing the early onset of milk production and lactation. Young girls who take Risperdal have also been shown to develop breasts too early as a result of this prolactin secretion caused by the drug.
Movement Disorder Side Effects
Risperdal can also cause movement disorders among users of the drug. Risperdal users can exhibit what are called extrapyramidal symptoms or EPS, which consist of violent and abrupt movements. These symptoms can develop into a permanent problem and can persist even after people stop taking Risperdal. These movements can take the form of facial tics, spasms in the neck and limbs, restlessness, and drooling.
Florida Risperdal Injury Lawyers
If you or your child have been injured by taking Risperdal, Risperidone, or Invega, contact the dedicated dangerous drug attorneys at Dolman Law Group. We are well-respected for pursuing large corporations, such as drug manufacturers, to make them pay for their negligence. Take a look at our long list of successful case results that have secured satisfying settlements for a number of clients to better understand our commitment to protecting injured clients.
When you hire a product liability attorney at Dolman Law Group to help you pursue an injury claim, we will ensure your case receives our undivided attention and a personal injury lawyer who will not only communicate with you every step of the way but will also provide the resources you would expect from a much larger firm.
At Dolman Law Group, we have honed our skills by handling cases involving medication that companies negligently create, manufacture, and put on the market that eventually cause severe injuries to people like you. If you believe you have been injured by a dangerous drug, talk to one of our attorneys today. Dolman Law Group offers free consultations to people with cases involving Risperdal.
You can contact us by calling our office at (833) 606-DRUG [3784] or by filling out our contact form.
Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers, PA
800 North Belcher Road
Clearwater, FL 33765
(833) 606-DRUG [3784]
