http://www.wtae.com/health/autistic-man-wins-25m-after-meds-...
Autistic man wins $2.5M after meds gave him 46DD breasts
Family says they weren't adequately warned of drug's side effects
PHILADELPHIA, Ala. —An autistic man has been awarded $2.5 million in a lawsuit against the makers of a medicine he used to treat his condition, which also caused him to grow 46DD breasts.
According to the lawsuit, Austin Pledger, 20, his family and his doctor were not adequately warned that the drug Risperdal could cause breast enlargement in men, reports Autismdailynewscast.com.
Risperdal is manufactured by Janssen Pharmaceuticals, a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson. The drug's label did contain a warning that Risperdal could cause gynecomastia, but the label was changed in 2006 to say the risk was higher than originally indicated, reports WENN.com.
Pledger started taking Risperdal when he was 8 years old. The only way to remove his breasts, says Pledger's lawyer, would be a mastectomy, reports Autismdailynewscast.com.
A Janssen spokesperson says the company was "disappointed" by the verdict, reports Autismdailynewscast.com, and that Risperdal's side effects were clearly indicated.
Comments
O M G
that's nuts not worth the risk taking some of these drugs .
Do you listen to the side effects on the TV commercials if they don't kill you first the Lawyers might get you a $1.50 in a class action suit that will take 10 years to settle
risks
Yeah, i remember seeing some of those commercials where they talked for about 30 seconds about how their wonderful drug will relieve arthritis pain... then spent the next 2 full minutes rapid firing horrific side effects like kidney failure, liver damage, anal bleeding, heart attack, stroke, and a vast variety of other things.
Mood stabilizers...
...like Risperdal and such have a whole load of side effects. As a Type II Diabetic and someone with both a tremor disorder and bipolar issues, it's a matter of which is riskier - the problems if I don't take the meds or the increased risk of exacerbating the Diabetes. I have to be on top of monitoring, since the alternative is to have huge problems in other areas. So far no change in my chest; can't even catch a break, aye?
Love, Andrea Lena
some people have a chance.
my problem even though I was put on rispadal in high school is that because of the laws in my state it is too late to do anything they are free and clear, because of how long it has been. I am 31 and my state says that because I was on the drug as a minor I had to file a claim within 2 years of turning 18. So I as an Autistic person my self have to live with the large chest I have from the drug. Heck we never knew what caused it back then. now all these years later we have a good idea but the drug companies are in the clear due too statute of limitations. I hate laws that protect corporations so much.
"Cortana is watching you!"
I'm a bit torn. I believe
I'm a bit torn. I believe that people do have the right for redress for damage done by pharmaceuticals, but I also believe that the manufacturers should _not_ be able to be sued by people for _clearly marked_ side effects. That is, if they can show that the labels printed by the pharmacy (or documentation printed and stapled the bag) included that side effect appropriately.
In this case, I don't have any sympathy for the plaintiff. To end up with DD cups, that means his boobs are _four inches_ out from his chest wall. He had to have been aware of it for months, if not years, and refused to stop taking the medications. The article did say that the gynaecomastia was a known and labeled side effect, and that they then upped the likelihood of the side effect in 2006. If he's 20 now, and had been taking the medication since he was 8, that means 12 years. So, let's assume he started taking in 2002 - that means that his parents didn't read the label, and still didn't read the label in 2006. If anything, he should be suing his parents, not the drug manufacturer.
I mean, really - isn't that the definition of insanity? Continuing the same action thinking that you'll get a different result? "I'm growing boobs. Okay, let's keep taking the medication, and they'll go away."
I'll get a life when it's proven and substantiated to be better than what I'm currently experiencing.
this article is far short on much detail
but it states it was listed, but the chances were higher than they thought, and the label was changed in 2006. i am sure that 46DD breasts didnt happen over night, why werent they looking at this in 2006 or soon after? why 8-9 YEARS later, he started at 8 yrs old, and he is now 20.
2.5 million seems a little steep, but you have to pay those lawyers (who will take 30-60% usually) i think more appropriate would have been medical care, plus an amount and legitimate legal fees. one of the reasons we need Tort reform, the only ones who win are the lawyers, NOT the "victims"
Teresa L.
Curious...
When men get breasts this way do they receive the same perks women do(errogenous zone) or not?