Pennsylvania’s Superior Court upheld the decision to award Austin Pledger, a boy from Alabama, with $2.5 million on the basis that he developed breasts from the use of Risperdal.
Risperdal is an antipsychotic drug most commonly used to treat schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and certain disorders associated with autism. This drug works by restoring certain substances in the brain back to their natural balance. To date, Risperdal has netted roughly $40 billion for the Johnson & Johnson subsidiary, Janssen Pharmaceuticals.
Pledger began taking Risperdal in 2002 when he was eight years old to treat his autism symptoms. He continued taking Risperdal until he was diagnosed with gynecomastia when he was a teenager. Pledger’s breasts grew to a size 46DD throughout his usage of Risperdal.
Gynecomastia is the result of an imbalance of estrogen and testosterone hormones. This hormone imbalance causes one or both breasts to swell. Gynecomastia does not have any life-threatening symptoms, but it can potentially be very painful and strongly affects the self-perception of boys and men.
Pledger’s lawsuit is one of thousands filed against the pharmaceutical giant. In his case, the court found that Janssen Pharmaceuticals failed to warn Pledger and his family about the known potential side effects of Risperdal. Despite an attempt by Johnson & Johnson to overturn the decision made on the case, Pennsylvania’s three-judge Supreme Court panel ruled in favor of the lower court’s decision.
Consumers across the country rely on pharmaceutical companies to be truthful about their products. Unfortunately, some companies distribute their drugs without fully disclosing potential side effects and cause injuries to drug users.
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Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers are here to help you keep these companies accountable for their actions. Do not hesitate to reach out to the defective drug attorneys at Laborde Earles if a pharmaceutical company’s negligence caused you harm.
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