Colorado will receive approximately $4 million of a $181 million settlement from Johnson & Johnson after a lawsuit accused the company of marketing Risperdal, an anti-psychotic drug, using deceptive and unlawful means.

The lawsuit alleged that Risperdal’s manufacturer, Janssen Pharmaceutical Inc., a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson, ghost wrote articles in medical journals touting the drug’s efficacy in treating patients with dementia.

It is unlawful for drug manufacturers to market their products for uses beyond those they have Food and Drug Administration approval. Risperdal is only approved to treat bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. Johnson & Johnson is assuming no fault in the settlement, claiming it wants to avoid costly legal battles.

When manufacturers mislead consumers into buying their products, they can be held liable for any injuries that occur as a direct result of their deceptive marketing. If you have been hurt due to false claims made in a product’s marketing, contact the product liability lawyers of Hull & Zimmerman, P.C., at (303) 423-1770.