Mesothelioma has long been thought of as largely an occupational illness, that may be about to change. More and more consumers are coming forward to file lawsuits against Johnson & Johnson and other companies, accusing them of failing to warn of the presence of deadly asbestos in their popular talcum powder product.
The latest of these is a case filed by 46-year-old Stephen Lanzo III from Verona, New Jersey. In this talcum powder lawsuit, Mr. Lanzo indicated that he used both Johnson & Johnson’s Baby Powder and Shower-to-Shower and that both products contained the carcinogen.
He also claimed that his long term use “generated dust and exposed him to respirable asbestos fibers.“
Mesothelioma is not the only form of cancer linked to the use of talcum powder. There are currently over 5,500 lawsuits filed against Johnson & Johnson alone claiming that the company’s products caused ovarian cancer after long0term use.
Both the ovarian cancer and mesothelioma lawsuits are based on studies done decades ago that revealed that the product was contaminated with asbestos: talc is a mineral that is mined from deposits that are often in close proximity to asbestos deposits.
The lawsuits that have been filed so far have resulted in significant compensatory and punitive damages, with some plaintiffs receiving upwards of $100 million.
One of the most compelling pieces of evidence that Mr. Lanzo and other mesothelioma victims will be presenting is an internal memo that was handwritten by a Johnson & Johnson executive. The memo asked how much asbestos a baby would inhale when dusted with the company’s baby powder and if it contained a one percent level.
This alone has raised questions as to Johnson & Johnson’s recent defense that their company’s products never contained asbestos. As the trial proceeds, there are many asbestos victims that will be watching.
If you or someone you love has been exposed to asbestos, whether on the job, in your immediate surroundings or even as a child being dusted with baby powder, you need as much information as you can get.
The Patient Advocates at Mesothelioma.net are dedicated to providing you with the resources you need to stay informed. Call us today at 1-800-692-8608.
