Attorneys representing Christopher Roney Jr., a current University junior, filed a lawsuit against a handful of companies and individuals who produced and distributed nutritional supplements, which he claims affected his health.

The lawsuit, filed on Feb. 9, alleges that Patrick Arnold; Proviant Technologies President Ramlakhan Boodram; LPJ Research; Ergopharm, and Supplement Central Inc., were all negligent in their production and promotion of the supplements.

The 92-page suit, filed in the Champaign County Circuit Court, asserts that Roney “sustained serious and permanent injuries, which has, and will in the future, cause him considerable pain, discomfort, disability, disfigurement and mental anguish.”

Roney purchased the supplements known as 1-Androstenediol and ErgoPharm Androdiol Select 300, between Jan. 22 and Feb. 22 of 2004, according to the suit.

These particular supplements became illegal in the U.S. on Jan. 22, 2005, when the federal government determined them to be unreasonably dangerous.

Roney has requested a jury trial and seeks unspecified damages in excess of $50,000.

The suit alleges that Proviant Technologies and company “failed to accompany their product with proper warnings regarding all serious adverse side effects associated with the use of the products and the comparative severity and duration of such effects.”

The supplements themselves were created by Champaign chemist Patrick Arnold. Arnold has come into the national spotlight for his indictment last fall in the BALCO (Bay Area Laboratories Cooperative) steroid scandal.

Roney, who bought the supplements for $60, went to hospitals in Champaign, Chicago and Ohio to figure out why his health was deteriorating. The lawsuit alleges that the accused failed to warn about the necessity of visiting a physician while taking the pills. It further asserts that the supplements were sold when they were unfit for their intended purposes.

Roney and his father have refused to comment at this point in time.

Roney’s attorneys refused to comment saying comment was premature. Patrick Arnold was also not available for comment. Proviant Technologies was not reached for comment.