Asbestos & Mesothelioma Law Blog
A New York judge recently ordered pharmaceutical and cosmetics giant Johnson & Johnson to stand trial in an asbestos cancer lawsuit brought by a plaintiff who claims he developed an aggressive form of cancer due to carcinogenic materials contained in products manufactured by the defendant. Johnson & Johnson had filed a motion for summary judgement, seeking to have the case thrown out of court and avoid any liability for knowingly manufacturing deadly products without warning consumers about the risks.
According to the asbestos cancer lawsuit, filed in the Supreme Court of New York County, the plaintiff developed pleural mesothelioma at the age of 76 after decades of using Baby Powder and other talc-based products developed and sold by Johnson & Johnson. The plaintiff claims she did not suffer from any industrial asbestos exposure at her work place and that the only possible source for the exposure came from the carcinogenic asbestos in the talcum powders she used.
Although talc, a naturally occurring mineral, does not contain asbestos fibers itself, the two are often found in deposits side by side one another, which can cause a risk of contamination if certain precautions are not taken. Asbestos itself has been heavily regulated since the 1970s when the federal government enacted legislation to protect the public from the known risks of asbestos exposure. However, even before regulators stepped in, many companies were fully aware of the risks their products posed and continued to manufacture dangerously designed and defective materials.
Johnson & Johnson faces thousands of talcum powder cancer lawsuits across the country – over 9,000 according to some estimates – over allegations the company and its suppliers knew for decades about the risk of asbestos contamination in talc-based products. Some of these lawsuits have resulted in multi-million dollar verdicts for plaintiffs, including an astounding $4.6 billion verdict handed down by a Missouri jury to 22 plaintiffs, which was comprised of punitive damages to punish the defendants for their behavior.
Many claims allege that the plaintiffs developed mesothelioma from asbestos exposure. The disease is a rare and deadly form of cancer that commonly affects the thin linings of tissue surrounding the lungs, abdomen, and heart. Mesothelioma takes decades to detect and by the time doctors make a diagnosis, the cancer often spreads to other parts of the body and leaves patients with diminished treatment options.
By filing mesothelioma cancer lawsuits, plaintiffs can recover vital compensation to pay for medical bills. Furthermore, these lawsuits can help hold wrongdoers accountable and send a message that our society will not tolerate corporate greed at the expense of innocent people.
Nationwide Mesothelioma Lawyer
If you or a loved one were diagnosed with mesothelioma, contact our office to speak to one of our experienced nationwide mesothelioma attorneys about your situation. Our office can help investigate your case and determine if compensation can be sought from negligent parties to help pay for your medical treatment to help you and your family live a more comfortable life.