J&J Appeals To Discard $2.5 M Risperdal Verdict

J&J Appeals To Discard $2.5 M Risperdal Verdict

Introduction

Risperdal manufacturer, Johnson & Johnson's unit, requested a Pennsylvania appeals court to discard a $2.5 million verdict against them. J&J asserted that the trial judge prevented the use of a scientific article to challenge an expert's opinion that Risperdal use leads to abnormal breast growth in young boys.

The verdict in question was the second-largest against Risperdal makers awarded to the plaintiff in February 2015. The plaintiff consumed the drug for a period of five years to treat autism-related behavioral issues. His parents claimed his abnormal breast growth was the result of Risperdal consumption.

Over 7,000 Risperdal product liability lawsuits against J&J are filed in the Pennsylvania State Court. Two coordinated actions have been filed for Risperdal cases: one in Los Angeles Superior Court (Risperdal and Invega Product Liability Cases, JCCP 4775) and the other in Philadelphia (In Re: Risperdal Litigation, March 2010 Term, Case No. 100300296).