Recently in July, Johnson & Johnson and its subsidiary Janssen was sued by a 21 year old man who claims that he developed gynecomastia as a result of Risperdal side effects. The man developed female breasts requiring removal surgery.
Shaquil Byrd filed his complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of New York.
What is Gynecomastia?
Gynecomastia is a rare medical condition in which men develop female breasts, and it has been associated with the use of the antipsychotic medication Risperdal in boys and teens. The condition is typically associated with hormonal disease or metabolic disorders, but it is also known to occur as a side effect of certain medications.
Plaintiff Byrd’s Gynecomastia Complaint
According to Byrd, he took Risperdal from 2001 through 2008 for his mental health issues, and developed breasts that began producing milk. Byrd has been subjected to multiple surgeries, resulting in painful, disabling physical injuries, and severe emotional problems.
Risperdal Lawsuits
There are several hundred Risperdal gynecomastia lawsuits filed throughout the United States. These complaints allege that the drug manufacturers failed to research the medication or warn about the risk of developing female breasts in boys and teens.
Some plaintiffs claim that boys developed breasts measuring as large as a 38D cup size after using Risperdal. More significantly, the psychological effects of Risperdal breast growth can leave deep emotional scars in boys and men who also suffer from serious mental health medical conditions.
Risperdal Settlements
In September 2012, Johnson & Johnson settled a claim right before trial. In that case, the 21 year old man, claimed that Risperdal caused him to suffer severe psychological damage and he needed breast removal surgery.
According to sources, settlements were reached in at least five other Risperdal lawsuits. But recently, Johnson and Johnson has been aggressively defending the claims and pushing for trials.
Most of the Risperdal cases are filed in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas, and a few cases are also consolidated in the New Jersey court system as part of an MCL, or multi-county litigation.
Shezad Malik is an Internal Medicine and Cardiology specialist, a Texas Medical Doctor (retired) and Defective Medical Device and Dangerous Drug Attorney. Dr. Shezad Malik Law Firm has offices based in Fort Worth and Dallas and represents people who have suffered catastrophic and serious personal injuries including wrongful death, caused by the negligence or recklessness of others.
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