Calif. Appeals Court Overturns $5.6 Million Verdict in Risperdal Wrongful Death Case

LOS ANGELES — A California appellate court has overturned a $5.6 million verdict in a Risperdal wrongful death case, finding the expert testimony did not prove that the drug, which was administered during a study sponsored by Janssen Research & Development LLC, caused the patient’s death.

In a Jan. 3 opinion, the California Court of Appeal, 2nd District, noted that while the experts testified that risperidone could cause heart rhythm problems in the general population, there was no evidence that the patient died from heart issues associated with heart rhythm problems.

Augustine Liu II suffered from schizophrenia and his psychiatrist, …