Risperdal Settlement Funding Available for Plaintiffs

A 20-year-old man with autism has won his lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson involving the antipsychotic drug Risperdal. The jury in the trial determined the pharmaceutical giant should pay the plaintiff $2.5 million after he developed size 46 DD breasts from taking the drug during his childhood. Hundreds of other cases are still pending against Johnson & Johnson and may take many years to go to trial or reach a settlement.

Plaintiffs with lawsuits still pending may find Risperdal settlement funding helps keep them financially afloat while they await the outcomes of their legal action. Young men and boys struggling with gynecomastia may have to resort to costly medical treatment like surgery to reverse the condition. This can lead to mounting medical bills for the entire family. In addition, one parent may also need to take time off from work to help care for the injured child. These circumstances may add up to some very large bills for the family as they wait for the legal process to be completed.

For families that are feeling the financial strain, cash advances on your Risperdal settlement may help. These non-recourse loans can be applied for online and a decision is made almost right away. No money is due until your case is favorably decided by a jury or you receive a settlement from the defendant.

Physician unaware of risks

According to the complaint, Austin Pledger began taking Risperdal at the age of eight to treat his irritability associated with autism. His physician told the jury that he had received numerous visits from a sales representative of Johnson & Johnson’s subsidiary Janssen prior to his prescribing the medication to Pledger in 2002. However, the drug was not approved by the FDA for any type of use in children or adolescents until 2006.

Pledger’s physician, a pediatric neurologist, told the jury he was unaware of information contained in a Janssen study that showed Risperdal use could lead to gynecomastia. Gynecomastia is a condition characterized by enlarged male breasts. The condition can be very traumatic to men of all ages, but is particularly damaging to young boys and teens. In some cases, the only way to reverse gynecomastia is by breast reduction surgery.

During the trial, the plaintiff showed evidence that a number of studies linking Risperdal and gynecomastia were in the possession of Janssen. One study indicated as many as 87 percent of children taking the drug had elevated levels of prolactin – the hormone that can cause male breast enlargement. Despite this knowledge, Janssen did not provide adequate warning about the risks associated to the drug to medical providers or the general public, Pledger claimed.

About Risperdal

Risperdal was approved by the FDA in 1993 as a treatment for adults diagnosed with schizophrenia. However, the drug has also been prescribed off-label to treat mental disorders like autism in children. Former FDA commissioner David Kessler, who testified at Pledger’s trial, told the jury that Janssen did not provide sufficient information about the drug’s side effects to physician’s, even though they marketed the drug directly to providers like Pledger’s pediatric neurologist.

While the jury verdict was good news for Pledger, it appears Johnson & Johnson may appeal the decision. This will only serve to prolong what has already been a lengthy legal process for Pledger and more than 1,200 additional plaintiffs that have filed lawsuits in the mass tort involving Risperdal lawsuits.

While Pledger has had at least his initial day in court, other plaintiffs may not see that same day for many months or even many years.

Lawsuit loan eases financial burden

A lawsuit loan is a way to get the cash you need now, rather than waiting for the legal process to run its course. Approval is granted quickly and money is wired to your account now – when you need it most. Once the Risperdal lawsuit loan is approved, the money can be transferred to your checking account to help with medical bills and living expenses.

To learn more about legal settlement funding, contact LawStreet Capital at 1.866.FUND to speak with one of our customer service representatives.