West Virginia Risperdal Lawsuit

Thursday November 21, 2024

Risperdal (or risperidone) has been associated with serious side effects including male breast growth, a condition known as gynecomastia. Medical studies have shown that risperidone strongly increases the risk of gynecomastia when administered to children and adolescents. Our Risperdal attorneys assist West Virginia victims of male breast growth in Risperdal lawsuits against the drug's manufacturer. For an evaluation of your potential case in West Virginia, call (888) 849-5117 or send a message using our online form at any time.

Risperdal Settlements Reached in Breast Growth Lawsuits

In September 2012, Johnson & Johnson settled the claim of a 21-year-old plaintiff who alleged psychological trauma after growing breasts which required surgical removal. The plaintiff took Risperdal from ages 9 to 13. At the time of use, Risperdal had not been approved by the FDA for the treatment of children or adolescents. The lawsuit alleged that J&J promoted Risperdal to physicians in U.S. markets such as West Virginia for the treatment of children despite the lack of FDA approval to do so. In October 2012, Risperdal settlements were reached in an additional 5 cases in which young males alleged similar gynecomastia side effects. Hundreds of risperidone lawsuits are now pending across the country.

West Virginia Cases Not Part of Risperdal Class Action

A class action lawsuit for Risperdal injuries has not been established in the United States. Rather, each plaintiff from West Virginia or elsewhere files a lawsuit individually in the appropriate state or federal court. Unlike a class action, each victim is then compensated according to the specific Risperdal side effects he suffered and the unique legal damages he incurred. At the same time, Risperdal lawsuits from West Virginia may be coordinated with other cases to more quickly complete the pre-trial process. Our Risperdal attorneys believe this "mass tort" system affords clients in West Virginia the same benefits as a Risperdal class action lawsuit while more accurately compensating their personal injuries.

Risperdal Lawsuits Allege Illegal Promotion

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration first approved Risperdal for the treatment of children and adolescents in 2006. Before that time, however, Risperdal was already the most-prescribed atypical antipsychotic medication in young patients. Risperdal lawsuits filed by gynecomastia victims, as well as consumer fraud actions filed by various states and the federal government, allege that the manufacturer illegally promoted risperidone for use in children well before it was FDA-approved in 2006. Such "off-label" drug promotion may have subjected West Virginia consumers to the risks of serious Risperdal side effects without proper regulatory oversight. Our lawyers are also investigating whether Risperdal's manufacturer failed to properly warn West Virginia physicians and patients about the true risks of male breast growth in children and adolescents who use risperidone.

Consultation with Risperdal Attorney

If you or a loved one in West Virginia suffered gynecomastia or other serious Risperdal side effects, you may have significant legal rights. For a free case evaluation, call (888) 849-5117 or send a message using our brief online form at any time.

Free Case Evaluation