Revelations of hundreds of pages of internal memos about asbestos from Johnson & Johnson’s files may be a game changer for mesothelioma and ovarian cancer victims who have filed suit against the company. Though the company’s executives and attorneys have fought hard against the information being released, lawsuits and Freedom of Information requests have successfully uncovered proof that executives were concerned about their iconic baby powder being contaminated with asbestos in the early 1970s, with one executive recommending an upgrade to its quality control, and another indicating that they should consider discontinuing the use of talc entirely due to cancer concerns. The same investigations have revealed the lengths to which the company went to protect this information and to shut down any voice that might make the public aware of the risks involved with use of its baby powder products.
It has long been known that exposure to asbestos causes malignant mesothelioma, but the news that Johnson & Johnson has been concerned about their risk from the product for decades is eye opening. The company worried that government might ban the use of talc specifically because of possible contamination, and a great deal of discussion went back and forth about both safety and public backlash. Unfortunately, the company apparently focused as much of its efforts on discrediting research into its powder’s safety as in protecting the public, even going so far as demanding that the government block negative information about its product from the public.
With thousands of mesothelioma and ovarian cancer lawsuits filed against the company, specifically accusing Johnson & Johnson’s of failure to warn of their product’s dangers, the release of this information is likely to sway juries against the company, leaving it open to enormous liability to its victims, and possibly creating new openings for plaintiffs who had previously abandoned their efforts to get compensation for their medical expenses, pain and suffering. To date, Johnson & Johnson’s has been reusing to offer any plaintiffs in cases against them any settlement offers, but that may soon change as the public becomes more aware of how long the company has been aware of the issue.
If you have been diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease like mesothelioma or ovarian cancer, there is a great deal of information that may be of importance to you as you move forward and make decisions about your medical care and other important choices. For quick access to people who can answer all of your questions, contact the Patient Advocates at Mesothelioma.net today at 1-800-692-8608.
