Jackson v. Johnson & Johnson & Janssen Pharm., Inc.

330 F. Supp. 3d 616
CourtDistrict Court, District of Columbia
DecidedSeptember 5, 2018
DocketCivil Action No. 15-13983-DJC
StatusPublished
Cited by16 cases

This text of 330 F. Supp. 3d 616 (Jackson v. Johnson & Johnson & Janssen Pharm., Inc.) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering District Court, District of Columbia primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Jackson v. Johnson & Johnson & Janssen Pharm., Inc., 330 F. Supp. 3d 616 (D.D.C. 2018).

Opinion

Denise J. Casper, United States District Judge

I. Introduction

Plaintiff Emmanuel Jackson ("Jackson") has filed this lawsuit against Defendants Johnson & Johnson and Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc., ("Defendants") alleging negligence (Count I), breach of express *620warranty (Count II), strict products liability (Count III), fraudulent concealment (Count IV), strict products liability - failure to warn (Count V), negligent failure to warn (Count VI), negligent misrepresentation (Count VII), negligent infliction of emotional distress (Count VIII), breach of warranty (Count IX), and unfair and deceptive practices (Count X). D. 1-1. Defendants move for summary judgment on all counts. D. 64. For the reasons stated below, Defendants' motion for summary judgment is ALLOWED.

II. Standard of Review

"Summary judgment is properly granted if the movant can demonstrate that 'there is no genuine dispute as to any material fact and that the movant is entitled to judgment as a matter of law.' " Miranda-Rivera v. Toledo-Dávila, 813 F.3d 64, 69 (1st Cir. 2016) (quoting Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(a) ). "A genuine issue is one that can 'be resolved in favor of either party' and a material fact is one which 'has the potential of affecting the outcome of the case.' " Gerald v. Univ. of P.R., 707 F.3d 7, 16 (1st Cir. 2013) (quoting Pérez-Cordero v. Wal-Mart P.R., Inc., 656 F.3d 19, 25 (1st Cir. 2011) ). If the movant meets its burden, the non-moving party "must, with respect to each issue on which she would bear the burden of proof at trial, demonstrate that a trier of fact could reasonably resolve that issue in her favor." Borges ex rel. S.M.B.W. v. Serrano-Isern, 605 F.3d 1, 5 (1st Cir. 2010). "Neither party may rely on conclusory allegations or unsubstantiated denials, but must identify specific facts derived from the pleadings, depositions, answers to interrogatories, admissions and affidavits to demonstrate either the existence or absence of an issue of fact." Magee v. United States, 121 F.3d 1, 3 (1st Cir. 1997). In conducting this inquiry, the Court "view[s] the record in the light most favorable to the non-movant, drawing reasonable inferences in his favor." Noonan v. Staples, Inc., 556 F.3d 20, 25 (1st Cir. 2009).

III. Relevant Factual Background

The following facts are drawn primarily from the parties' statements of material facts, D. 66; D. 69,1 and the exhibits filed by Jackson, D. 70, and are undisputed unless otherwise noted. Jackson was first prescribed and regularly took Risperdal starting on or about February 4, 1999 (when he was eleven years old), until January 2001 (when he was thirteen years old). D. 66 ¶ 15; D. 69 ¶¶ 1, 2, 4. This antipsychotic medication was initially prescribed by Dr. Christopher Bellonci for treatment of Jackson's psychiatric conditions. D. 69 ¶ 4. Dr. Bellonci is one of the three experts disclosed by Jackson. D. 67-2 at 2. Prior to taking Risperdal, Jackson was prescribed several other medications to treat his behavioral and psychotic disorders including Trilafon, Congentin, Lithium, Ritalin, Adderall, Depakote and Nortriptyline. D. 67-3 at 7; D. 66 ¶ 25. According to Jackson, Risperdal caused him to become obese, D. 69 ¶¶ 5-7, 9, 16; D. 67-6 at 8, diabetic, D. 69 ¶¶ 10-12, 16, to develop gynecomastia (i.e., breast enlargement ), D. 69 ¶¶ 14, 16, and to develop high prolactin levels, D. 69 ¶¶ 15-16. On August 3, 1999, approximately six months after Jackson began taking Risperdal, Dr. Bellonci noted that "[Jackson] has gained a lot of weight." D. 70-10 at 2. Diagnosed as obese in November 2000, Jackson was referred to Children's Hospital for "new onset diabetes patient *621management and education." D. 70-11 at 4. Dr. Bellonci, testified, however, that despite a correlation between Risperdal and Jackson's weight, it is plausible that the weight gain could have derived from the effect of Jackson ceasing to take Adderall, D. 67-3 at 10, although Jackson reports that this medication has a side effect of appetite suppression, D. 66 ¶ 21.

On November 6, 2000, Jackson was admitted to Rhode Island Hospital due to increased glucose levels. D. 70-13 at 2. During this stay, hospital records indicated that "it is possible that [Jackson] has gained a lot of [weight] from Risperdal (a known common [side effect] ) and question whether this [weight] gain has contributed to the onset of [diabetes mellitus ]." D. 70-14 at 3. On November 11, 2000, a subsequent notation further indicated that Risperdal is known for causing weight gain and also that Jackson had gained fifty pounds during the previous year. D. 70-12 at 5. Jackson was discharged from Rhode Island Hospital on November 15, 2000 with a diagnosis of Type II diabetes. D. 70-13 at 2-3. The discharge notes specified that Jackson was "presumed to have diabetes type II given [his weight] and given [his] negative antibody levels and the high insulin levels." Id. at 3. Dr. M. David Kurland, one of Jackson's treating physicians, but not one of his disclosed experts, later suggested in a medical document, dated February 26, 2001, that due to Jackson's weight and enlarged breasts, Jackson should switch to Seroquel, which has less of an appetite-increasing effect than Risperdal and does not produce endocrinal changes, which can be a side effect of Risperdal. D. 70-7 at 2. Dr. Kurland further noted that Jackson's weight affected his Type II diabetes and that Jackson "complained of breast enlargement and breast pain in November and was found to have a prolactin level of 21.4, which is high for his age and gender." Id. After switching from Risperdal to Seroquel, Jackson's weight and prolactin levels decreased. Id.

Defendants dispute, however, that Risperdal caused Jackson's injuries given that there are multiple alternative causes of Jackson's conditions, "including puberty, obesity, and certain medications." D. 66 ¶ 16; 67-4 at 8. According to Dr. Bellonci, one of Jackson's treating physicians, an 11-year old child "would certainly be gaining weight as [he] grew." D. 67-3 at 15-16. Dr. Bellonci further testified that several years ago "side effects were thought to be less in second generation antipsychotics like Risperdal." D. 67-3 at 4. Additionally, Dr.

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