We all know many drugs have potentially-dangerous side effects. However, some commonly used pharmaceutical products have hidden dangers. An example is Johnson & Johnson’s Baby Powder. A recent jury verdict followed evidence of asbestos in Baby Powder.
In July, a St. Louis jury awarded $4.69 billion to 22 women who sued Johnson & Johnson claiming their ovarian cancer was caused by using its powder as a part of their feminine hygiene routine.
The massive jury award included $550 million in compensatory damages and $4.14 billion in punitive damages to punish J&J. It was the largest verdict against the company for decades. The woman blamed Baby Powder for their ovarian cancer.
In May, Johnson & Johnson suffered its second big trial loss in less than two months. The case was particularly worrying because it linked the company’s baby powder to deadly asbestos-related cancer.
Johnson & Johnson loses case over asbestos in Baby Powder
A jury in California awarded $21.7 million in compensatory damages to Joanne Anderson. She said she developed mesothelioma after being exposed to asbestos in J&J baby powder. Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that occurs in the thin layer of tissue that covers the body’s internal organs. It is deadly and there is no cure for the disease.
On top of the big award, J&J was ordered to pay another $4 million in punitive damages to punish the company.
Two months earlier, J&J lost an asbestos-related talcum powder lawsuit in New Jersey.
A woman and her husband sued J&J, Imerys, Honeywell International, a unit of Brenntag, Cyprus Amax Minerals, and other local talcum powder suppliers. J&J was held 67 percent liable for a $21.7 million verdict. Total damages against the companies reached $117 million.
The giant pharmaceutical company has now lost three asbestos-related talc lawsuits. It has lost other lawsuits brought by women who said their use of talc over a long period of time led to ovarian cancer.
The company denies the claim saying Baby Powder does contain asbestos or cause mesothelioma.
Although asbestos has been banned in construction and domestic use for many years, people bringing lawsuits against J&J say its product may have suffered cross-contamination from asbestos during the mining process. Talc is a soft mineral that has the ability to absorb many other substances. It may be mined close to the sources of asbestos.
If you or a loved one has contracted mesothelioma or ovarian cancer after using talc, please call our experienced Georgia personal injury lawyer at (404) 913-1529.