Baby powder cancer plaintiff Joanne Anderson just won the second ruling against Johnson & Johnson this year. Why? The company faces allegations that their products contain trace amounts of cancer-causing asbestos — and that J&J execs knew all along. This latest jury ruling along with a similar verdict in April cost J&J $142.75 million in meso settlements to date. And with thousands of cases still pending against the world’s largest talcum powder distributor, J&J’s legal battles are far from over.
Baby Powder Cancer Plaintiff Alleges J&J’s Talc Products Contain Asbestos
The most recent baby powder cancer ruling in May 2018 held Johnson & Johnson 67% liable for Anderson’s mesothelioma. The 68-year-old plaintiff’s lawsuit alleged that Johnson’s Baby Powder contained asbestos, a known carcinogen. Anderson said she used the product regularly for at least 25 years while bowling and caring for her kids. She sued the company after developing mesothelioma in 2016. The California jury verdict awarded Anderson $21.75 million in actual as well as $4 million in punitive damages.
How Much Did J&J Know About Baby Powder Cancer Risks to Consumers?
The jury ruled against J&J after reviewing internal company documents produced at Anderson’s baby powder cancer trial. J&J consultants working on R&D projects as far back as the 1970s raised red flags about talc’s dangers, including its link to cancer.
Legal experts now believe baby powder cancer claims for mesothelioma may drive a growing litigation trend against J&J. According to a May 1 securities filing, Johnson & Johnson currently faces more than 9,000 pending lawsuits. However, most baby powder cancer cases awaiting trial involve plaintiffs with ovarian cancer.
First Baby Powder Cancer Trial Awards $117 Million Meso Settlement
Compared to ovarian cancer, mesothelioma is a lesser-known baby powder cancer risk. But more consumers are now paying attention to that risk, thanks to several recent lawsuits. Stephen Lanzo won the first meso settlement this year when his trial concluded in April 2018. His complaint stated that regular baby powder use for more than 30 years caused Lanzo to develop mesothelioma.
Lanzo used two large Johnson’s baby powder bottles every month until 2016. Expert testimony at Lanzo’s trial indicated the product contained asbestos — and that J&J knew, yet failed to warn consumers. On April 11, 2018, a New Jersey state jury ordered J&J and its supplier, Imerys Talc, to pay Lanzo $117 million in damages. The payout awarded 46-year-old Lanzo and his wife $37 million in compensatory as well as $80 million in punitive damages.
Testimony About Asbestos Leads Investor to Sue J&J
Even though Johnson & Johnson denies their products contain asbestos, evidence against the company keeps convincing juries otherwise. As a result, J&J shareholder Frank Hall recently filed a lawsuit on his and other shareholders’ behalf. Hall’s lawsuit represents all J&J investors that purchased shares between February 2013 and February 2018.
The suit alleges that J&J “has known for decades that its talc products, such as its Baby Powder, include asbestos fiber and that the exposure to those fibers can cause ovarian cancer and mesothelioma.”
How Victims Can Get Justice and Compensation
If you or a loved one developed cancer after using J&J’s talc-based products, you may qualify for compensation. To check your eligibility for a significant cash settlement, complete your free talcum powder claim evaluation today. Your online evaluation asks three short questions to confirm your claim’s eligibility, and you’ll see your results immediately. Once you’ve submitted your information, an experienced lawyer will call to discuss your case. This is the fastest and easiest way to get the justice and financial compensation you deserve!
Related: Why the FDA Doesn’t Regulate Talcum Like You Think