A Ramsey County, Minnesota jury has awarded the second-highest mesothelioma verdict in the state’s history to a couple that blames the husband’s terminal mesothelioma diagnosis on his lifelong use of talcum body powder products. The companies ordered to pay the $10.2 million in damages include Vi-Jon, Gold Bond, Johnson & Johnson, Merck, and Perrigo, all of whom played a role in either manufacturing or selling the contaminated products.
Mesothelioma Victim Diagnosed at Age 43
Daniel Heyer was diagnosed with mesothelioma in late 2024 after decades of exposure to products including Gold Bond Medicated Body Powder, Abercrombie & Fitch Woods powder, Dr. Scholl’s foot powder, and store-brand products sold at Target, Walmart, and Walgreens. Just 43 years old at the time, he was given approximately one year to live and is currently on oxygen and using a wheelchair.
Mr. Heyer and his wife blame his mesothelioma diagnosis on toxic exposure that began in infancy, when his parents used Johnson & Johnson talc baby powder on him and his siblings in the early 1980s. Both regularly used talc-based personal powder products until the early 2000s, and he had additional exposure from take-home asbestos on his father’s work clothes—his father was a laborer for Northern States Power—and from his own work as a correctional officer for the state.
Jury Finds Companies Failed to Warn of Mesothelioma Risk from Talc
The jury seated in the mesothelioma trial heard evidence that despite receiving repeated warnings about asbestos in talc causing mesothelioma, Vi-Jon did not investigate or test its products and assured customers that they could continue using them, even after the company stopped manufacturing its products. Vi-Jon manufactured store-brand baby powders, body powders, and foot powders using talc for years, with products sold at major retailers nationwide.
The jurors found that Vi-Jon, Gold Bond, Johnson & Johnson, Merck, and Perrigo manufactured and sold a dangerous product and failed to provide adequate warnings about the risks of mesothelioma. They agreed that the products were a direct cause of Daniel Heyer’s fatal cancer, apportioning 50% liability to Gold Bond, 20% to Vi-Jon, 15% to Perrigo, 10% to Merck, and 5% to Johnson & Johnson. Mrs. Heyer was awarded $5 million in recognition of how her husband’s mesothelioma has devastated their young family.
If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease, the Patient Advocates at Mesothelioma.net can help. Contact us today at 1-800-692-8608 to learn more.
