Were You Harmed by Risperdal®?

Columbia Personal Injury Lawyer Helping You File a Claim

Pharmaceutical companies have a duty to provide doctors and consumers with honest information about what their drugs should be used for and what their possible health effects are. Unfortunately, there are many drug makers out there that violate this duty, therefore causing patients to be placed at serious risk. Risperdal® (or risperidone) is one example of a drug that was marketed incorrectly to healthcare providers and patients.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) only approved this drug to be used for treating schizophrenia and for providing short-term treatment of Bipolar 1 Disorder. Yet Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (JPI), the maker of Risperdal, went a step further and marketed the drug for other uses that were not FDA-approved. The pharmaceutical company branded the drug to healthcare providers as one that could be safely used for the treatment of certain symptoms of dementia in elderly individuals, according to the FDA.

The FDA and the U.S. Department of Justice later accused JPI of misbranding the drug for this subpopulation while having knowledge that elderly patients could suffer from adverse health effects because of the drug, including elevated risk of stroke. It was alleged that JPI used combined study results to make it falsely appear that the drug lowered the risk of certain health problems. It was also alleged that JPI offered its sale representatives perks for marketing the drugs for off-label uses. In addition to elderly dementia patients, there were also times when JPI promoted the drug for use by children with behavior problems and people with mental disabilities.

Has taking Risperdal caused serious harm to your or a family member? If so, you need to take immediate action to hold JPI accountable for its irresponsible actions. At Sumner Law Group, LLC, we can help you do this! Do not hesitate to talk to one of our Columbia personal injury attorneys about your options for filing a claim or lawsuit against the at-fault drug company. We have experience handling personal injury cases involving various types of dangerous drugs.

Seeking Damages from Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

JPI has already been required to pay major fines and damages because of its actions. In November 2013, the Department of Justice and the FDA announced that JPI had entered into a plea deal for criminal charges it was facing for its misbranding activities. As a result of the plea agreement, the pharmaceutical company was issued a $400 million criminal fine. These were not the only costs that the company had to pay because of the ordeal concerning Risperdal. It had also entered into a civil settlement, which resulted in an order to pay $1.25 billion in damages.

You might also have the chance to recover financial damages from JPI for any harm Risperdal has caused you or your loved ones. 

To learn more about your options for starting a personal injury case concerning this drug, contact our firm today!