Antipsychotic Drugs Lawsuit

Our Team Can Connect You With Lawyers Representing Plaintiffs in Antipsychotic Drug Lawsuits

The Goldwater Law Firm has strategic partnerships with some of the largest and most successful law firms in the United States. By working with co-counsels across the country, we can help injured parties get justice no matter where they live.

We are an award-winning law firm with one of the most widely recognized names in injury law. Our long history of success has allowed us to build an extensive network of resources, including experts in medical care, pharmaceuticals, research, and more. We work closely with our law firm partners to ensure big corporations cannot exploit individuals and families who trust them.

It is only natural to feel angry and frustrated right now. We can ensure you are treated with empathy and respect throughout your antipsychotic drug lawsuit. You can expect our team members and co-counsels to listen to your story and react with compassion and determination.

The Allegations Against the Manufacturers of Antipsychotic Drugs

The basis of the lawsuits currently being filed by plaintiffs and explored by our law firm partners across the country is that the long-term use of certain antipsychotic drugs is linked to breast cancer.

The plaintiffs in these lawsuits include men and women diagnosed with breast cancer after taking certain antipsychotic medications for several years or longer. The drugs include Invega and Risperdal and their generics, paliperidone, and risperidone, respectively. These drugs are commonly used to treat some mental health and mood disorders, including schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.

The defendant in these lawsuits is Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc., which is a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson. This company has already faced numerous lawsuits related to this drug. Those cases, including A.Y. v. Janssen Pharm. Inc., relied on a study conducted by the company that uncovered side effects in the early 2000s. These side effects were linked to increased prolactin levels in consumers who took the medications.

Criteria for Joining Other Plaintiffs in Filing a Lawsuit Based on Your Diagnosis

You may qualify to pursue compensation based on your illness, injuries, and expenses if you:

• Took Invega or Risperdal based on a prescription from your medical care provider
• Took a generic version of these drugs and are living in California, Massachusetts, or Nevada
• Used the drug or a generic version for five or more years
• Were diagnosed with breast cancer after beginning the medication

You may not qualify for legal action in some locations if you used the medication exclusively in that state. This includes Connecticut, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, North Carolina, and Tennessee.

There is a limited time to act in this case. You should contact us quickly if you have questions or believe you may have a case. Families whose loved ones died from breast cancer may qualify to pursue damages as well.

Getting Legal Help With Your Dangerous Drug Lawsuit

The best way to learn if you may be eligible to file a lawsuit against the drug company and seek justice for yourself and your family is to contact our team today. We provide a free case evaluation to all callers. We want to discuss your use of these potentially dangerous medications, explain the case, and determine your legal options.

Contact The Goldwater Law Firm today to get started. Our co-counsels are representing clients nationwide. We have a long history of strategic partnerships with mass torts attorneys who take on dangerous drug cases and fight for justice for individuals and families affected. We are here to help you.

What We Know About the Link Between Antipsychotic Drugs and Breast Cancer

A 2022 study found that these drugs could increase the risk of breast cancer because of their effect on prolactin levels. Prolactin is an essential hormone during puberty, pregnancy, and breastfeeding. These antipsychotics elevate prolactin levels, which is the root cause that likely led to gynecomastia, which was the central complaint in previous lawsuits related to this drug.

This study was the largest ever conducted on U.S. women who use these medications. It utilized three categories of antipsychotic drugs as well as a control group. Category 1 included drugs linked to high prolactin levels. Category 2 drugs were known to have a moderate effect on these levels. Category 3 drugs have a minor effect. The results of this study showed:

• There was a 62 percent higher relative risk of breast cancer for women on Category 1 drugs
• There was a 54 percent higher relative risk for those on Category 2 drugs
• There was no increased risk for those on Category 3 drugs

While studies have been somewhat inconsistent, others have found results similar to this one, including one published in Clinical Psychopharmacology and Neuroscience. This information, paired with the evidence used in the previous trials that asserted Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. was aware of the increased exposure to prolactin, will likely be used to support the claims against the drug company in the current round of antipsychotic drug lawsuits.

Antipsychotic Lawsuits Are Ongoing

According to Pages 68 and 96 of Johnson & Johnson’s 2023 annual report, litigation based on Risperdal and other related antipsychotic drugs continues to pile up in U.S. courts. Most of these cases are in state courts in Pennsylvania, although some are in California, Missouri, and other courts in the United States and Canada.

The company reported losses and expenses of $0.8 billion in 2023 because of these cases. This could increase as the number of lawsuits filed based on the link with breast cancer goes up.

An attorney from one of our law firm partners in your area can help you determine where to file your case and pursue the money you may qualify for.

Recovering Damages Based on Your Breast Cancer Diagnosis

Getting justice in a dangerous drugs case should include holding the pharmaceutical company legally responsible and recovering fair compensation for the money your diagnosis, treatment, and illness cost you. Our law firm partners help clients identify and document their recoverable damages when they manage these cases.

Each case is somewhat different, and it is early enough in this process that we do not yet have any settlements or other payouts to serve as a possible guide for how much an antipsychotic drug-related breast cancer lawsuit might be worth. However, some common recoverable damages in similar cases have included:

• Medical bills for diagnosis, cancer treatment, complications, and related management
• Lost income if the cancer or treatment required time off from work
• Diminished earning capacity if the cancer prevents you from working your usual job in the future
• Out-of-pocket costs, such as traveling for treatment
• Pain and suffering, physical and emotional distress, and other intangible losses

Punitive damages might also be available in some of these cases. Punitive damages penalize the defendant for malicious, negligent, or intentional behavior. This is possible in these cases since the Risperdal drug label includes a warning for the increased risk of hyperprolactinemia. Still, it mentions neither gynecomastia nor breast cancer as potential side effects.

In other words, the drug company failed to make the public aware of all the risks associated with these medications, even though they allegedly knew about those risks years ago. This could be grounds for your lawyer to seek punitive damages. 

What Steps Will I Need to Take to File an Antipsychotic Drugs Breast Cancer Case?

The first thing you will want to do if you believe you qualify to sue the pharmaceutical company based on your cancer diagnosis is to reach out to The Goldwater Law Firm.

We provide free and confidential case consultations. You can talk to our team to learn if you qualify to file a lawsuit. This step is the only one you will need to make on your own. From there, we can match you with a law firm partner near you who will manage the rest of the process.

This process will include:

• A complete evaluation of your case to determine if you meet the criteria
• A chance to ask questions, learn more about these cases, and get the information you need to understand the process better
• An investigation into your case and gathering evidence to support your lawsuit
• Consideration of the best venue to file your antipsychotic drugs lawsuit
• Your dangerous drugs attorney developing a complaint and filing it in the appropriate court

Throughout this process and the following litigation, your lawyer and legal team will ensure you receive regular updates and have someone you can call if you have questions or concerns. They will manage your case for you. This should provide peace of mind and allow you to focus on your treatment, healing, and other activities.

How Much Will I Pay to Hire an Attorney to Manage My Antipsychotic Drug Lawsuit?

When you call The Goldwater Law Firm, we provide a free, no-obligation case evaluation. You will not pay anything for this consultation with our team, and there are no upfront fees when you hire our law firm partners to handle your breast cancer lawsuit. You will not need to spend anything out of your pocket to sue the drug company and seek compensation based on your diagnosis.

Our co-counsels all work based on contingency, which means they work for a portion of the money they recover for you in the case. You only pay after the case ends, and they secure a payout on your behalf. If you do not win, you will not pay attorney’s fees.

What Is the Timeline for Filing a Dangerous Drug Lawsuit?

The applicable legal action filing deadlines are complex and could vary based on several factors, including where you live and where you plan to file your case. It is in your best interests to act as quickly as possible once you become aware of your rights and options.

If you meet the criteria for a lawsuit, The Goldwater Law Firm can help you understand the timeline that might apply in your case, and our law firm partners will determine the best possible venue for your lawsuit.

The earlier you get started, the better. This ensures you will not miss any pressing deadlines and that your rights are protected moving forward. Our co-counsels will also gather evidence and documentation of your damages as soon as you hire them to represent you. This could mean having a stronger case and being able to pursue maximum compensation through negotiation or litigation.