J&J Hit with $37 Million Talcum Powder Verdict
Johnson & Johnson suffered a trial laws on Thursday when a New Jersey jury awarded $37 million to a man who says he developed mesothelioma through his regular use of J&J talcum powder products.
About the Talcum Powder Lawsuit and Verdict
According to Reuters, the lawsuit was brought by New Jersey resident Stephen Lanzo. Lanzo says he had used J&J talc powder products since his birth in 1972, and regularly inhaled dust that was generated through the use of those products.
Mesothelioma is a deadly form of cancer that is associated with exposure to asbestos. The cancer affects the tissue that lines body cavities, most often around the lungs, though it can also affect tissue in the abdomen and other parts of the body.
J&J denied that their product caused Lanzo’s cancer and contends that Johnson’s Baby Powder does not contain asbestos nor other cancer-causing materials.
The verdict was brought against Johnson & Johnson and another company.
Thousands of Other Talcum Powder Lawsuit Pending
Currently, there are more than 6,610 plaintiffs in the U.S. with talc-related lawsuits filed against Johnson & Johnson. The vast majority of these lawsuits allege the company failed to warn women about the risk of developing ovarian cancer while using its talc-based products for feminine hygiene.
In five trials in Missouri involving ovarian cancer lawsuits, juries found J&J liable four times and awarded the plaintiffs a total of $307 million. In California, a jury awarded a now-deceased woman $417 million.
However, in October, a Missouri appellate court overturned the first verdict there, totaling $72 million, and a California judge tossed ou the $417 million verdict. Johnson & Johnson are working to reverse the other verdicts as well.
Contact an Experienced Personal Injury Attorney
If you believe you believe exposure to talcum powder has contributed to a serious injury or illness, contact Thomas J. Henry. Defective product lawyers are available 24/7, nights and weekends to evaluate your claim. Our firm has offices in Corpus Christi, San Antonio, and Houston, serving clients across Texas and nationwide. Call us today for a free legal consultation.
