A court summoned Johnson & Johnson and Found Guilty in a landmark case and made to pay more than $37.2 million to four buyers who blamed one of the company’s leading products for the growth of their cancers.
According to the consumers, the asbestos-tainted talc played an important role in their deteriorating health. After much discussion, the court concluded that two of Johnson & Johnson’s products including a now-defunct product, Shower-to-Shower powder, played a key role in cancer development among the plaintiffs.
The jury awarded $37.2 million to the group. Reports indicate that the panel will consider punitive damages at a later date.
Who Were The Consumers?
The case was brought to the court by Will Ronning, Douglas Barden, David Etheridge, and D’Angela McNeill-George, all over the age of 40.
According to their statements, they were exposed to carcinogens in their childhood due to their parents using the talc-based powders on them.
All four of them have been diagnosed with a specific form of cancer called mesothelioma. The disease can be fatal and usually takes years to appear.
What Johnson & Johnson Has to Say
Johnson & Johnson has been facing legal troubles for a while. Some buyers believe that the company hid associated risks for over 50 years. However, the company maintains that its products weren’t tainted with cancer-causing asbestos.
The company announced its decision to appeal the verdict. However, Johnson & Johnson may have to handle 15,000 other lawsuits related to similar cases before it can move to challenge the verdict. Next trials for J&J kicked off earlier this week in Georgia and California.
This comes after J&J had to pay $117 million to a consumer who blamed the same product for his disease. However, the company has won some cases.
This isn’t the first time that a product has caused serious health concerns among consumers. If you or someone close to you has been a victim, then it’s important that you talk to a lawyer about your rights.
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