Risperdal Gynecomastia Lawsuits Move Forward, As Pennsylvania Mass Tort Program Schedules March Meeting, Bernstein Liebhard LLP Reports

NEW YORK, Feb. 17, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Risperdal lawsuits involving gynecomastia (male breast growth) and other side effects allegedly associated with use of the atypical antipsychotic medication continue to move forward in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas, where the state's Risperdal docket has been centralized in a mass tort program. According to a notice posted on the Court's website, the litigation is scheduled to convene a meeting on March 9, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. (In Re: Risperdal Litigation, Case ID: 100300296)

"Our Firm is representing numerous Risperdal plaintiffs in cases involving excessive male breast growth. We look forward to next month's meeting, and will monitor the Pennsylvania proceeding for any developments that could impact our clients' cases," said Sandy A. Liebhard, a partner at Bernstein Liebhard LLP, a nationwide law firm representing the victims of defective drugs and medical devices. The Firm continues to provide free legal reviews to individuals who allegedly developed gynecomastia due to their use of Risperdal.

Nationwide Risperdal Litigation

Manufactured by Johnson & Johnson's Janssen Pharmaceuticals subsidiary, Risperdal is indicated to treat schizophrenia and other psychiatric disorders. Last November, Johnson & Johnson reported that at least 15,400 product liability claims had been filed in courts around the U.S. on behalf of individuals alleged to have suffered serious Risperdal side effects. The company also acknowledged that the number of claims was continuing to increase.

Plaintiffs who are pursuing Risperdal gynecomastia lawsuits assert that the drug can stimulate the pituitary gland to produce excessive amounts of prolactin, a hormone that is instrumental in female breast development and lactation. Abnormally high levels of prolactin have also been linked to the development of female-like breasts, or gynecomastia, in men and boys. Plaintiffs claim that Johnson & Johnson and Janssen concealed data linking Risperdal to gynecomastia, and failed to provide doctors and patients with appropriate warnings regarding this risk.

The Pennsylvania litigation has convened six Risperdal gynecomastia trials since February 2015. The most recent case concluded last July, with $70 million awarded to a teenager who experienced excessive breast growth shortly after he began taking the drug at the age of five. (Case No. 130402094)  The litigation's second-largest verdict - $2.5 million - came at the conclusion of the first gynecomastia trial in February 2015. (Case No. A-196444) A month later, the jury hearing a second case declined to award any damages to the plaintiff, after determining that there was not enough evidence to conclude that Risperdal had caused his breast growth. However, they did find that the safety warnings provided to patients and doctors were inadequate. (Case No. 130301803) In November 2015, a third gynecomastia plaintiff was awarded $1.75 million, although the Court later reduced the verdict to $680,000. (Case No. 130401990) A fourth Risperdal trial ended in December 2015 with a verdict for the plaintiff in the amount of $500,000. (Case No. 130401984)

This past December, the judge presiding over Pennsylvania's sixth Risperdal gynecomastia trial dismissed the case at its mid-point due to insufficient evidence. Confidential settlements have also been reached in several cases that had been scheduled for trial in the mass tort program.

Compensation may be available to men and boys who experienced excessive breast growth allegedly associated with Risperdal. To learn more about filing a Risperdal lawsuit, please contact Bernstein Liebhard LLP by visiting the Firm's website, or by calling 800-511-5092.

About Bernstein Liebhard LLP
Bernstein Liebhard LLP is a New York-based law firm exclusively representing injured persons in complex individual and class action lawsuits nationwide since 1993. As a national law firm, Bernstein Liebhard LLP possesses all of the legal and financial resources required to successfully challenge billion dollar pharmaceutical and medical device companies. As a result, our attorneys and legal staff have been able to recover more than $3.5 billion on behalf of our clients. Bernstein Liebhard LLP is honored to once again be named to The National Law Journal's "Plaintiffs' Hot List," recognizing the top plaintiffs firms in the country. This year's nomination marks the thirteenth year the firm has been named to this prestigious annual list.

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Contact Information:
Sandy A. Liebhard, Esq.
Bernstein Liebhard LLP
info (at)consumerinjurylawyers(dot)com
http://www.rxinjuryhelp.com/

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