38.6c New Delhi, India, Friday, March 29, 2024
Top Stories

Talcum powder cancer case: Johnson & Johnson ordered to pay $4.69 billion in damages

By LawStreet News Network      13 July, 2018 12:00 AM      0 Comments
Talcum powder cancer case: Johnson & Johnson ordered to pay $4.69 billion in damages

On Thursday (July 12th, 2018) US pharmaceutical giant Johnson & Johnson was ordered to pay out $4.69 billion in damages in a lawsuit in St Louis Circuit Court, representing 22 women and their families who alleged a talc sold by the company contained asbestos and caused them to suffer cancer.

In the trial, the medical experts have testified that asbestos, a known carcinogen, is intermingled with mineral talc, which is the primary ingredient in Johnson & Johnson’s Baby Powder and Shower products.

The lead counsel for the plaintiff, Mark Lanier, said in a statement that the company had covered up evidence of asbestos in its products for more than 40 years.

Pieces of evidences were presented in the court showing the presence of asbestos fibres and talc particles in the ovarian tissues of many of the women.

Plaintiff’s counsel claimed that the Johnson & Johnson knew its products contained asbestos and still didn’t warn its consumers.

“We hope this verdict will get the attention of the J&J board and that it will lead them to better inform the medical community and the public about the connection between asbestos, talc, and ovarian cancer,” Mr. Lanier said.

Further, Mr. Lanier said that “the company should pull talc from the market before causing further anguish, harm, and death from a terrible disease.”

The company calling the verdict as unfair said that it would appeal against it in the higher court.

Company’s spokeswoman Carol Goodrich said that “Johnson & Johnson remains confident that its products do not contain asbestos and do not cause ovarian cancer and intends to pursue all available appellate remedies.”

Further, she said that the verdict awarding all the women the same amount, despite differences in their circumstances, showed evidence in the case was overwhelmed by prejudice created when so many plaintiffs are allowed to sue the company in one lawsuit.

The company has been sued by over 9,000 women who claimed that the talcum powder contributed to their ovarian cancer.

Six of the 22 plaintiffs in the latest trial have died from ovarian cancer.



Share this article:

User Avatar
About:


Leave a feedback about this
TRENDING NEWS

arvind-kejriwals-plea-for-interim-release-rejected-by-delhi-high-court
Trending Judiciary
Arvind Kejriwal's plea for interim release rejected by Delhi High Court [Read Order]

Delhi High Court rejects Arvind Kejriwal's plea for interim release in money laundering case related to liquor policy scam, pending ED's response.

28 March, 2024 10:50 AM
youtuber-strings-plea-against-youtube-accounts-suspension-andhra-pradesh-hc-issues-notice-to-centre-google
Trending Top Stories
BREAKING: Youtuber String’s plea against Youtube accounts suspension: Andhra Pradesh HC issues notice to Centre, Google

Andhra Pradesh High Court issues notice to the Centre and Google LLC on Youtube journalist String’s plea against suspension of its accounts by Google (which owns Youtube).

28 March, 2024 11:26 AM

TOP STORIES

delhi-liquor-scam-court-remands-arvind-kejriwal-to-ed-custody-till-march-28-read-remand-application
Trending Judiciary
Delhi liquor scam: Court remands Arvind Kejriwal to ED custody till March 28 [Read Order]

Delhi liquor scam: Arvind Kejriwal remanded to ED custody till March 28. Court grants agency permission for interrogation in liquor policy case.

23 March, 2024 11:53 AM
sc-dismisses-centres-plea-for-review-of-judgment-directing-ed-to-furnish-written-grounds-of-arrest-to-pmla-accused
Trending Judiciary
SC dismisses Centre’s plea for review of judgment directing ED to furnish written grounds of arrest to PMLA accused [Read Order]

Supreme Court dismisses Centre's plea, upholds judgment mandating Enforcement Directorate to provide written grounds of arrest in PMLA cases.

23 March, 2024 03:14 PM
kerala-hc-to-hear-lesbian-couples-plea-against-forced-conversion-therapy-on-april-9
Trending Judiciary
Kerala HC to hear lesbian couple’s plea against forced conversion therapy on April 9

Kerala HC will hear a lesbian couple’s plea highlighting that one of them was subjected to forced conversion therapy.

23 March, 2024 03:30 PM
how-can-people-be-compelled-to-vote-madras-hc-asks
Trending Judiciary
“How can people be compelled to vote? Madras HC asks

“How can people be compelled to vote?”, the Madras HC queried in a plea asking employers in Tamil Nadu to demand proof from employees of having voted on polling day.

23 March, 2024 05:04 PM

ADVERTISEMENT


Join Group

Signup for Our Newsletter

Get Exclusive access to members only content by email