Johnson & Johnson To Pay 2.2 Billion To Settle Healthcare Fraud Claims

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Posted Friday, November 15, 2013 at 12:36pm EDT

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by Long Island Attorney Paul A. Lauto, Esq./www.liattorney.com

The Department of Justice (DOJ) has announced that pharmaceutical giant Johnson & Johnson, has agreed to pay 2.2 billion dollars to settle criminal and civil healthcare fraud claims against them.  The DOJ revealed  that Johnson & Johnson allegedly marketed prescription drugs as safe and effective, for uses that the drugs were never approved for.  These drugs included Risperdal (antipsychotic medication), Invega (antipsychotic medication) and Natrecor (heart medication).  In addition, were claims that Johnson & Johnson gave kick-backs to physicians and pharmacies for prescribing and promoting these drugs.

US Attorney General Eric Holder stated that the alleged conduct of Johnson & Johnson displayed a “reckless indifference to the safety of the American people.”  The settlement included payment of 1.72 billion dollars for federal and state civil claims and 485 million dollars in criminal fines and forfeiture.  This landmark payout, is one of the largest healthcare fraud settlements in United States history.

Although 2.2 billion dollars is undoubtedly an enormous amount of money, it is a mere fraction of what Big Pharma makes at both the financial and health expense of the American people.  If the allegations are true, then this settlement represents a travesty and the DOJ did a disservice to the people by not pursuing all criminal and civil claims to the full extent of the law.  The power wielded by Big Pharma in America is arguably second to none.  This settlement is a cold reminder that America is no longer a country governed for the people and by the people, as our forefathers intended.

Long Island Lawyer
Paul A. Lauto, Esq.
www.liattorney.com

Paul A. Lauto, Esq.
Paul A. Lauto, Esq. completed his undergraduate studies at SUNY at Stony Brook in 1987, with a major in political science and a double minor in socio-legal studies and moral-legal issues in philosophy. Mr. Lauto received his Juris Doctor from New York Law School in 1990 and was admitted in 1991 to practice in the courts of New York State, as well as the Eastern and Southern Districts of the United States District Court.

Mr. Lauto has primarily focused on personal injury throughout his career and previously worked as in-house counsel to a major insurance company. In 2002 Mr. Lauto established Paul A. Lauto, PLLC, with a primary concentration on personal injury, all types of accident cases, Wills, Trusts and Estates and more. Paul is the sole author of his Scales of Justice blog, which provides updates and information about current legal stories in the news and how they may affect our lives. Mr. Lauto prides himself on providing clients maximum results, with a high level of personal attorney service and attention that is uncommon in the profession. For more information please visit http://www.liattorney.com