Judge Dismisses RICO Claims Against Risperdal Makers, Says Plaintiff Lacks Standing

KALAMAZOO, Mich. — A Michigan federal judge has dismissed Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization Act claims brought against the makers of Risperdal, ruling that because the plaintiff’s insurer paid for his drug, he did not satisfy RICO’s statutory prerequisite of “injury in business or property.”

On May 11, Judge Robert J. Jonker of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan explained that the plaintiff suffered no injury because he never actually had to part with any money for Risperdal.

Jerad Short was diagnosed with bipolar disorder when he was 10 and was treated with Risperdal. He claims …