Though controversial legal steps have allowed Johnson & Johnson to stall and delay thousands of asbestos claims, the case of mesothelioma victim Anthony Hernandez Valadez was allowed to proceed because of his failing health. Last week, a jury in Oakland, California found the company guilty of having caused the young man’s fatal cancer and ordered them to pay him $18.8 million in damages. Experts believe that the verdict may have an impact on settlement discussions currently being held with representatives for tens of thousands of other victims.
Mesothelioma Victim Blames Use of Johnson & Johnson’s Baby Powder for Fatal Illness
Mr. Valadez is just 24 years old, an extremely young age for a mesothelioma diagnosis. Upon searching for possible exposures to asbestos, the mineral which causes this rare and deadly form of cancer, he identified asbestos-contaminated talc found in the Johnson & Johnson’s Baby Powder his mother had used on him from his infancy on. There are currently tens of thousands of people diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma and ovarian cancer who have similarly blamed the company for their illness and who have filed personal injury lawsuits against them.
Though Johnson & Johnson has denied that its product is contaminated with asbestos, it lost several significant mesothelioma lawsuits prior to Mr. Valadez’s claim. It pursued a controversial legal strategy that created a subsidiary to hold all of its asbestos liabilities, then placed that company into bankruptcy. That move has faced litigation that has put all of the outstanding asbestos claims against the company on hold, but because Mr. Valadez is in such dire health the case was permitted to move forward, leading to this significant victory.
$18.8 Million Verdict May Impact Future of Johnson & Johnson Mesothelioma Settlement
As part of its bankruptcy strategy, Johnson & Johnson recently adjusted the offer it made to mesothelioma and ovarian cancer victims, raising its settlement amount to $8.9 billion. The jury’s decision and the $18.8 million award for Mr. Valadez may lead those plaintiffs to reconsider whether settlement is in their best interests.
If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma, the Patient Advocates at Mesothelioma.net are here to answer your questions. Contact us today at 1-800-692-8608.
