Jury Awards Elderly Woman $9 Million in Johnson & Johnson’s Baby Powder Mesothelioma Lawsuit
Johnson & Johnson continues to defend itself against accusations of causing malignant mesothelioma, but the company has increasingly seen juries deciding against it and awarding significant juries to victims who claim that asbestos their talc-based powders caused their illness. The most recent verdict was handed down by a Florida jury that awarded 82-year-old Blanca Moure-Cabrera with $9 million in compensation for the damages that she has suffered.
Fifty-Year History of Baby Powder Use Blamed for Mesothelioma
According to evidence presented in the mesothelioma lawsuit, Moure-Cabrera’s use of Johnson& Johnson’s Baby Powder dates back to 1959, when she moved from Cuba to South Florida. She continued using it on herself as well as on her children, through 2018. She was diagnosed with malignant peritoneal mesothelioma in August of that year, and her lawsuit accused the pharmaceutical giant of negligence and strict liability.
Though Johnson & Johnson’s defense against accusations of causing malignant mesothelioma and ovarian cancer has relied upon denials of asbestos contamination, there have been numerous reports of positive tests showing its presence in the product, as well as internal company documents alluding to concerns about public relations problems should the presence of asbestos in the product become known.
Mesothelioma Trial Testimony Bolstered by Experts
Though it can be difficult to explain the complexities of mesothelioma to a jury in a way that they understand, medical experts present during the trial carefully explained how asbestos fibers are inhaled or ingested, and how they then damage the body’s cells over time. But the jury was particularly impressed by the presentation of Johnson & Johnson’s internal documents and information about the testing methods that the company used over the years, as well as by the victim’s testimony about how the disease had changed her life.
After hearing all of the testimony and evidence, jurors made their decision in less than an hour. They awarded her $3 million for past medical expenses and $6 million for pain and suffering in the past and in the future.
If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma, the Patient Advocates at Mesothelioma.net can get you the information you need to move forward. Contact us today at 1-800-692-8608.
Written by Terri Oppenheimer
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