St. Louis Jury Hands Down Substantial $550 Million in Asbestos Talcum Powder Lawsuit

A St. Louis jury recently handed down a substantial $550 million verdict in an asbestos talcum powder lawsuit in which several women accused pharmaceutical giant Johnson & Johnson of causing their serious medical conditions. The same jury will also decide whether or not to award additional punitive damages to the plaintiffs as compensation for higher counts of negligence alleged in the asbestos cancer lawsuit.

According to the talcum powder asbestos cancer lawsuit, filed in St. Louis Circuit Court, the 22 female plaintiffs developed ovarian cancer due to the asbestos-contaminated talc contained in products the victims used over a number of years. Sadly, six of the victims in this case passed away due to their ovarian cancer, leaving their surviving family members to carry on their claims and seek justice against powerful companies putting profits before people.

While Johnson & Johnson has claimed for years that its talc-based products are safe and contain no known carcinogens, juries across the country have disagreed, handing down significant verdicts on behalf of plaintiffs. Johnson & Johnson faces an estimated 9,000 talcum powder cancer lawsuits across the country, with plaintiffs alleging that the talc-based products they used caused their cancer diagnoses, including mesothelioma.

Even though talc does not contain asbestos itself, the two are both naturally occurring minerals often found in deposits side by side, which creates the possibility of contamination between the two, putting innocent people at risk for serious conditions like mesothelioma. Since the 1970s, federal government regulations have required talcum powder to be asbestos-free, but due to the geological anomalies of talc and asbestos being found near one another, the risk to consumers continues to exist.

Asbestos exposure is directly linked to developing mesothelioma, a rare and deadly form of cancer that commonly affects the thin linings of tissue surrounding vital organs like the lungs, heart, and abdomen. Because the disease usually takes anywhere from 20 to 50 years to develop, patients are often left with diminished treatment options, which can severely affect the prognosis of their condition.

Although nothing can undo a mesothelioma cancer diagnosis, filing an asbestos lawsuit can recover vital compensation necessary to pay for medical treatments to fight the disease and help patients live more comfortable lives. Lawsuits can recover compensation for past and future medical bills, lost wages, and the pain and suffering of living with such a deadly disease caused by a company’s indifference to public safety.

Furthermore, filing a mesothelioma cancer lawsuit can hold wrongdoers accountable for knowingly creating dangerous products that cause harm to innocent people. In some cases, juries may award punitive damages to punish asbestos companies and send a message that society will not tolerate reckless behavior that puts the public at risk.

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 and to help you and your family live a more comfortable life.