A Texas jury is the latest being asked to decide whether the use of Johnson & Johnson’s Baby Powder led to a man’s malignant pleural mesothelioma. Jerry Newton was diagnosed with the rare asbestos-related disease in 2019, and he blames the consumer giant’s talcum powder for his fatal illness.
Pulmonologist Testifies in Mesothelioma Lawsuit
Late last week, pulmonologist Steven Haber of the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center provided testimony about Mr. Newton’s mesothelioma diagnosis. Under direct and cross-examination, the physician indicated that the medical records indicated that Mr. Newton had begun to be exposed to talc in 1961 when he began using the product every day. He was 14 years old at that time and continued using it for more than 40 years.
The mesothelioma victim’s deposition testimony indicated that he had stopped using the product in the early 2000s and that in March 2019, a year after he and his wife celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary, his doctor sent him for a CT scan following chest and back pain. That is when he was diagnosed with the rare, asbestos-related disease.
Johnson & Johnson’s Argues Against Mesothelioma Liability
Johnson & Johnson’s attorney attempted to point to other causes for Mr. Newton’s mesothelioma diagnosis, arguing that he had been exposed to asbestos on the military bases where he had worked and that his family had a history of cancer diagnoses. He also attempted to argue about different types of asbestos and whether they all could cause the deadly disease.
The mesothelioma victim’s attorney told a very different story to the jury, saying, “There is no other exposure Jerry had in his life to asbestos other than Johnson’s Baby Powder. He didn’t work in a factory; he didn’t work in a mill’ he didn’t live down the road from an asbestos factory. He didn’t even use other talc products. It is just Johnson & Johnson. It is just baby powder.”
If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, the Patient Advocates at Mesothelioma.net can help. Contact us today at 1-800-692-8608 to learn how.
