Johnson & Johnson talcum powder asbestos case: victim awarded $40m in compensation

The verdict is in for the J&J talcum powder cancer cases, with damages awarded in what is one of the biggest cases of our time.

Johnson & Johnson, together with one of its suppliers, are being ordered to pay out around $40m in damages to one victim who developed mesothelioma, which he claimed had been caused through the use of J&J talcum powder since birth.

Experts called to trial stated that they believe the talc does contain asbestos due to cross-contamination, and claims have also been made that J&J knew about the dangers but allegedly duped regulators and kept the issues quiet by using tests that would not identify asbestos.

The victim in the case has reportedly been using J&J talcum power since birth and developed mesothelioma in his mid-forties. He and his wife launched the case in 2016, and after two months of trials, the verdict is in: Johnson & Johnson, together with a supplier, are liable to pay them compensation.

The issues of asbestos getting into the talc products has arisen from cross-contamination during mining because the talc is often located near asbestos deposits.

There are said to be thousands of other cases also being pursued against Johnson & Johnson, and we will be looking in to UK cases for anyone who approaches us for help.

Although the legal jurisdictions in the UK and US differ, there are a number of shared principles, and the fact that experts say J&J talc can contain asbestos is compelling. On top of that, the allegation that J&J knew about the issue but duped regulators by using testing that would not identify asbestos is also an important factor to consider.

The victim’s lawyers in this case argued that Johnson & Johnson had been withholding information about the health risks of the product since the 1960s.

This is a massive case that may well set the precedent for a number of other claims being made as well, and we will continue to monitor the progress of the cases already being pursued.

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