On April 5, 2018, A New Jersey state jury hit Johnson & Johnson along with the company’s talc supplier with a verdict of $37 million in compensatory damages. The award is from claims that a man used the company’s asbestos-laden talcum powder for decades and developed mesothelioma.
About Asbestos & Mesothelioma
Asbestos once filled countless U.S. homes and businesses in the form of insulation and heat-protecting materials. Throughout the construction boom following WWII, asbestos was a key element in thousands of industrial and household products, including drywall, wiring, glues, and adhesives, ceiling tiles, cement and shingles. Now, the cancerous material has been found in makeup and talcum powder. Exposure to asbestos is the primary cause of mesothelioma, a rare and aggressive cancer with no definitive cure. Forming on the protective lining of the lungs and abdomen, malignant mesothelioma is a rare, asbestos-related cancer. Currently, there isn’t a cure.
Asbestos Talcum Powder Case
Talcum powder is a soft, white powder developed from talc, or magnesium silicate, a mineral composed primarily of magnesium, silicon, and oxygen. When finely ground, talc absorbs moisture and helps reduce friction. These properties make made it widely used the ingredient in cosmetics, personal hygiene products, and many other common consumer goods.
Recently, many women have come forward claiming that talcum powder caused their ovarian cancer. Now, people have linked the product to mesothelioma. After two months of hearing both sides, the jury found Johnson & Johnson responsible for the plaintiff’s exposure to the asbestos. The jury awarded compensatory damages of $30 million to the man and $7 million to his wife, Kendra, while holding Johnson & Johnson responsible for 70 percent of the damages and its talc supplier, Imerys Talc America Inc., responsible for 30 percent.
Johnson & Johnson argued that testing never showed any asbestos in products or their mines. However, the jury wasn’t buying it. This is only the second asbestos talcum powder trial in the country. The pharmaceutical giant won the first case in November in a California state trial.
Get Help with a Specialized Complex Litigation Attorney
A Complex Litigation attorney like those found at The Michael Brady Lynch Firm is critical when seeking help to cover your asbestos-related expenses. Identifying when and where the exposure occurred is crucial to your lawsuit. Experienced lawyers are familiar with companies that used asbestos and know which job sites had a significant amount of asbestos use. Also, they know which products contained high concentrations of the toxic mineral.
Also, consultations are completely free, confidential and have no obligation. The Michael Brady Lynch Firm has successfully represented thousands of consumers and recovered millions of dollars for their clients. Our team of attorneys has been recognized as some of the most experienced and successful in the country. Our award-winning staff is also sought after for our knowledge of complex litigation, scientific evidence development, negotiation strategies and trial tactics.
Most of all, our law office is resourceful and dedicated to pursuing any compensation you are due. Because of this, we have also received a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement, such as inclusion on numerous Plaintiff Steering Committees. In fact, we will take whatever legal measures are necessary when fighting for your rights to damages.