In the latest talcum powder mesothelioma trial filed against Johnson & Johnson, an Oregon jury has ordered consumer giant Johnson & Johnson to pay $260 million in compensatory and punitive damages to a 48-year-old woman who accuses the company’s iconic baby powder product of being contaminated with asbestos and causing her deadly illness.
Johnson & Johnson Ordered to Pay Mesothelioma Victim $260 Million
Johnson & Johnson has spent the last several years battling against accusations that their iconic talc-based baby powder product was contaminated with the carcinogenic mineral asbestos and has led to malignant mesothelioma and ovarian cancer. The company is currently facing over 60,000 outstanding personal injury claims against it, which it has attempted to evade through a controversial bankruptcy maneuver while simultaneously negotiating a settlement with victims. Its last settlement offer was for $6.48 billion.
While litigation of the bankruptcy filing temporarily halted individual claims from being held, they recently resumed, allowing some victims to have their day in court. Mrs. Lee’s case cited her lifelong exposure to the product, beginning from when her mother used it on her as an infant. The company argued against its liability for her illness, saying that her asbestos exposure had come from a factory near where she had grown up.
Jury Sides with Mesothelioma Victim in Talc Case
Despite Johnson & Johnson claiming that their baby powder product does not cause mesothelioma or ovarian cancer, and pointing to decades of scientific studies supporting its safety, the victim’s attorneys were able to point to a growing body of evidence that talc is indeed linked to the rare and deadly disease. After hearing both sides, the Portland area jury awarded Mrs. Lee and her husband $60 million in compensatory damages and $200 million in punitive damages.
If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma and you need information on your rights, contact the Patient Advocates at Mesothelioma.net today at 1-800-692-8608 to learn how we can help.
