In July of 2014, 21-year-old plaintiff Shaquil Byrd sued pharmaceutical company Johnson & Johnson, the manufacturers of the drug Risperdal, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of New York. After taking Risperdal, Byrd had developed gynecomastia in which men develop female breasts. He eventually required surgery to remove them.
Recently, it has come to light that the rare medical condition is associated with the use of the antipsychotic medication. For Mr. Byrd, developing breasts was understandably emotionally and physically painful. He took Risperdal from 2001 to 2008 for mental health issues he was experiencing and did not expect to develop breasts because of the medication. He has had to have multiple surgeries, many of which have left him with physical injuries.
Although Johnson & Johnson has recently settled a handful of cases before they have gone to trial, the company has pushed back in more recent times. Plaintiffs allege that J&J failed to sufficiently warn about the risk of developing gynecomastia.
Legal Commentary
From a civil standpoint, our firm has represented numerous individuals and families who have become victim to Risperdal’s dangerous side effects and the following psychological trauma. If you or a loved one have taken Risperdal and have experienced abnormal breast growth or milk production we encourage you to consult with one of our Risperdal attorneys as soon as possible. A successful civil claim pursued against the responsible party will ensure the victims are not burdened with costly medical expenses, and will hopefully compensate them for their pain, suffering, and lost wages for time missed from work. Further questions can be directed to the Fears | Nachawati Law Firm by emailing the lead Risperdal lawyer, Majed Nachawati at mn@fnlawfirm.com, or by calling our office at 1.866.705.7584.
About the Author
Majed Nachawati is a preeminent Pharmaceutical Products Liability Lawyer with a focus on representing testosterone replacement therapy victims and families harmed by dangerous treatments on a nationwide basis. Mr. Nachawati has resolved numerous cases through trial and settlement that have resulted in seven and eight figure confidential settlements. He is on the Grievance Committee for the State Bare of Texas. He is licensed to practice before the Supreme Court of Texas and Arkansas, and is in most federal courts in the nation and holds specific licenses in the Northern, Southern, and Eastern Districts of Texas. Mr. Nachawati is a member of the Board of Directors of the Texas Trial Lawyers Association, the Board of Directors for Public Justice, a Leaders’ Forum and PAC member of the American Association for Justice. Mr. Nachawati has been recognized as a Super Lawyer in Texas Monthly Magazine for the past four consecutive years for legal excellence, in connection with pharmaceutical injury cases. Mr. Nachawati is also a member of The Million Dollar Advocates Forum. Mr. Nachawati can be reached by email at mn@fnlawfirm.com or by calling 1.866.705.7584.