As mesothelioma and asbestosis patients continue pursuing legal action against Johnson & Johnson, the public is learning increasingly shocking news about the iconic consumer company. Yesterday, Bloomberg News reported on Johnson & Johnson’s involvement in a study that injected prisoners with asbestos, a known carcinogenic material, in order to compare its effects to that of talc.
Material Known to Cause Mesothelioma Injected into Black Prisoners
Asbestos is a mineral that has long been known to cause malignant mesothelioma, asbestosis, and other serious illnesses. Bloomberg reported that two baby powder trials held last year revealed that despite this, Johnson & Johnson was involved in tests conducted at Holmesburg Prison in Pennsylvania that injected two types of asbestos, as well as talc, into the lower backs of prisoners, most of whom were black.
Though books and newspapers had previously detailed unethical human experiments conducted at the prison located outside of Philadelphia, the link to Johnson & Johnson was only revealed during mesothelioma trials held last year. With the public release of the information by Bloomberg, the consumer giant issued a statement regretting “the conditions under which these studies were conducted,” saying that “in no way do they reflect the values or practices we employ today.”
Revelations About Testing Could Impact Future Mesothelioma Lawsuits
Though Johnson & Johnson has taken steps to minimize their liability to mesothelioma and ovarian cancer victims through a controversial bankruptcy process, legal experts believe that revelations about the testing could lead some victims to opt out of the bankruptcy case and instead pursue punitive damages through individual lawsuits. The involvement in the testing implies a knowledge of the existence of asbestos in the product.
If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease after using Johnson & Johnson’s Baby Powder, the Patient Advocates at Mesothelioma.net can help. Contact us today at 1-800-692-8608.
