A jury recently delivered a verdict holding J&J liable for mesothelioma linked to its baby powder
A jury in California has concluded that Johnson & Johnson (J&J) was liable for asbestos exposure linked to their baby powder products. As CNN reports, this is the second trial verdict concerning the link between the company’s baby powder and asbestos-related cancer that has gone against J&J. Earlier this year, a jury in New Jersey ordered the company and a talc miner to pay $117 million to a plaintiff who claimed his cancer was the result of using the consumer products’ company’s talc baby powder. The two cases highlight the risk of asbestos exposure from a number of talc products, such as baby powder.
Company was negligent about risks
The plaintiff in the case, a woman from Oregon, used the iconic baby powder on her children in the 1970s and then used it on herself during the 1980s and 1990s as a way to keep her hands dry while bowling. The woman was later diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma, a type of lung cancer that often results from asbestos exposure.
The woman filed a lawsuit against J&J, alleging that the company knew that asbestos was in their baby powder and failed to notify the public about the risks of using their product. Asbestos is often found near talcum deposits and the plaintiff alleged that the talcum powder used in the baby powder was contaminated with asbestos. The plaintiff’s attorney claimed that tests showed that the woman’s baby powder bottles tested positive for asbestos. For its part, J&J insists that its talc products are asbestos-free.
Verdicts go against J&J
The jury in the case sided with the plaintiff and awarded her $21.75 million in compensatory damages along with $4 million in punitive damages. J&J was found to be two-thirds liable for the compensation, while other companies named in the lawsuit were responsible for the rest.
As Bloomberg reports, this is the second case this year concerning asbestos linked to J&J’s baby powder that has gone against the company. In April, a jury in New Jersey awarded a man $117 million after he claimed using J&J’s baby powder was linked to his cancer.
J&J is also facing numerous claims that its baby powder is linked to ovarian cancer. A securities filing from May 1 lists over 9,000 plaintiffs suing J&J for negligence for not informing the public of the risk of ovarian cancer from its talc products.
Asbestos-related litigation
Mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases can be devastating for victims. For those who have developed health problems that may be a result of exposure to asbestos, talking to an attorney can be an appropriate course of action. An attorney can advise clients about what rights they have and if and how they can pursue compensation for their ailments.