In the latest legal blow against Johnson & Johnson and its talc-based products, a South Carolina state court jury ordered the company to pay $63.4 million in compensatory and punitive damages to a man diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma. Michael Perry was diagnosed with the rare, asbestos-related disease at the age of 53 and blamed his diagnosis on his lifelong use of the company’s talc powder.
Mesothelioma Jury Told That J&J Knew Its Talc Was Contaminated With Asbestos
The jury hearing the mesothelioma lawsuit heard extensive testimony from Mr. Perry’s witnesses and representatives, who painted a picture of the company knowingly selling its talc products despite knowing that they contained asbestos. For its part, Johnson & Johnson’s attorneys suggested that he had been exposed to the carcinogenic material when he’d been exposed to asbestos-containing brake pads while helping his father in his garage.
The consumer giant’s attorneys voiced several objections to the way that the court handled the mesothelioma case: After losing on several pre-trial motions the company moved for a mistrial and, when that failed, refused to present arguments in its own defense, opting instead to appeal the jury’s verdict.
J&J Suffers String of Setbacks in Recently Heard Mesothelioma Cases
The $63.4 million verdict awarded to Mr. Perry included $30 million in punitive damages. It is the latest in a string of legal losses the company has suffered in recent weeks, including a $260 million verdict awarded by an Oregon jury and a $45 million verdict awarded by an Illinois jury. The company also recently settled a mesothelioma claim filed by a Texas victim for an undisclosed amount.
If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma, your first step is to identify the source of your asbestos exposure. The Patient Advocates at Mesothelioma.net have the resources and knowledge to help you with that challenge and many more. Contact us today at 1-800-692-8608 to learn more.
