Pa. Court Upholds $2.5 Million Risperdal Verdict, Revives Punitive Damages Issue

PHILADELPHIA — A Pennsylvania appellate court has upheld a $2.5 million verdict in a Risperdal case, finding the plaintiffs proved that Janssen Pharmaceuticals Inc. failed to adequately warn their prescribing doctor that the antipsychotic drug can cause gynecomastia.

In an Oct. 31 opinion, the Pennsylvania Superior Court further held that Janssen is not entitled to a new trial because the plaintiffs’ expert properly ruled out other causes of the plaintiff’s breast growth. In addition, the appellate court remanded the question of whether the plaintiffs are entitled to punitive damages.

Phillip Pledger was prescribed Risperdal by his neurologist, Dr. Jan Mathisen, …