Jury Awards Millions in Asbestos Baby Powder Suit
A jury in St. Louis, Missouri has awarded a huge victory to women harmed by baby powder products. The verdict includes over 550 million dollars in compensatory damages and 4.14 billion dollars in punitive damages. The money is payable to 22 women who brought suit against baby product giant Johnson & Johnson.
The Talcum Powder Lawsuit
In their suit, the women alleged that Johnson & Johnson sold talcum powder containing harmful chemicals, namely asbestos, for a number of years. The women who purchased and used J&J’s products later developed ovarian cancer. The lawsuit further alleges that a proven scientific link exists between cancer and products containing asbestos.
Creating a link between talcum powder and asbestos is crucial because experts say that there is no proven evidence that talc itself causes cancer. However, the connection between asbestos and cancer is well-documented.
Baby Powder Asbestos
It is easy to concede that asbestos-containing products are harmful for consumers. After research revealed the dangers, most products were manufactured without the use of asbestos. It would seem difficult, therefore, to prove that Johnson & Johnson sold products containing the substance.
A statement of J&J’s website states that the company has not sold any products containing asbestos since the 1970’s. The Plaintiffs in the St. Louis baby powder lawsuit, however, allege that the company continued to sell the products for decades and covered up the fact that the talcum powder did contain asbestos.
Hundreds of pages of medical and scientific evidenced were produced at the nearly six week long trial. In the end, the jury sided with the Plaintiffs, finding that Johnson & Johnson was responsible for the health issues caused by its talcum powder products containing asbestos.
The Future of Baby Powder Lawsuits
This verdict is unprecedented, both in its size and in the fact that a jury accepted the Plaintiffs’ theory that the powder contained cancer-causing asbestos.
Legal experts across the country are forecasting J&J’s next move. Certainly, appeals of the verdict are soon to follow. For its part, J&J’s lawyers have already forecasted a number of legal issues that they intend to present on appeal, including whether the suit was brought in the proper state. Many of the Plaintiffs had no connection to Missouri, calling into question whether J&J should have been sued in the state. Another issue concerns the reliability of medical and scientific evidence presented at trial.
Regardless of the outcome, analysts predict a tough road for J&J. Many experts believe that the company will settle with the Plaintiffs. Only time will tell the impact of this decision on future similar lawsuits.
Los Angeles Product Liability Attorney
The victory achieved by 22 women in St. Louis is a milestone for those sufferings serious health effects from a harmful product. J&J is now forced to pay billions as a result of its harmful business practices.
Every day, consumers are injured as a result of defective products. In many cases, the company may be aware of the defects but chooses to sell the products anyway. Other times, the product may be designed with flaws which make it unsafe for public use.
In either case, if you have been injured by a defective product, we want to help. At the Los Angeles Injury Group, we help injured victims receive the compensation they deserve. For a free consultation, call us today at 310-954-7428.