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Johnson & Johnson

04.17.2018

Another Johnson and Johnson talcum powder case returns verdict for plaintiff

By Bob Young, attorney English, Lucas, Priest and Owsley, LLP For the last year, cases have been working their way through the courts against Johnson & Johnson and their talc supplier, with plaintiffs who used their baby powder or Shower to Shower powder suing because they were diagnosed with cancer after long-term use of the products. Last week, a jury handed down a landmark verdict against Johnson & Johnson on behalf of plaintiff Larry Lanzo and his wife. Lanzo had used Shower to Shower powder and other similar products for nearly 30 years, and developed mesothelioma, a type of lung cancer. Lanzo believes the disease came from inhaling the product during the past three decades of use. The court ruled Johnson & Johnson must pay $117 million in damages, with $30 million of that going to Lanzo, and $7 million to his wife. The rest of the money - $80 million – will be paid in punitive damages. Johnson & Johnson issued a statement saying it does not believe there is a link between its powder and mesothelioma. Read More

08.23.2017

Talcum powder case returns big verdict for plaintiff

By Jessica Surber, Attorney English, Lucas, Priest and Owsley, LLP Photo by Keyseeker on Morguefile For decades, talcum powder was considered to be a perfectly safe part of a woman’s feminine hygiene routine. Women commonly applied it to their genital area as part of their daily routine. However, new evidence has pointed to the link between ovarian cancer and talcum powder. Women are taking action against the companies who promoted this product as safe for use, even though executives knew there was a potential link between it and ovarian cancer. Johnson & Johnson, the maker of Johnson’s Baby Powder and Shower to Shower products, is being sued by thousands of women across the country who believed that talcum powder was safe and even helpful to use. Just this week, a California jury handed out a $417 million verdict against Johnson & Johnson in a case filed by a woman who developed ovarian cancer. This verdict includes $70 million in compensatory damages and $347 million in punitive damages. Read More