The trial in an asbestos cancer lawsuit recently began in South Carolina, pitting the survivors of a mesothelioma patient against Johnson & Johnson, one of the world's largest pharmaceutical companies, and the outlet of Rite Aid. The trial begins on the heels of a substantial multi-million dollar verdict handed down by a New Jersey jury last month in a case brought by another mesothelioma victim who claimed that use of Johnson & Johnson's talcum powder products resulted in a mesothelioma diagnosis.
According to the talcum powder asbestos cancer lawsuit, filed in Darlington County Court of Common Pleas, the 30-year-old victim passed away from a very rare form of cancer after using Johnson & Johnson talcum powder products for decades sold by Rite Aid. In addition to filing suit against Johnson & Johnson for marketing the product and Rite Aid for distributing it, the plaintiffs filed suit against Imerys Talc, which supplied the key ingredients used.
The plaintiff's surviving family members, who filed the claim on her behalf, claim the victim used Johnson & Johnson talcum powder products nearly every day of her life and that these products were contaminated with asbestos. Asbestos and talc are naturally occuring minerals often found in deposits side by side with each other, and the former is directly associated with developing mesothelioma and other deadly diseases.
Mesothelioma is a rare and deadly form of cancer that commonly affects the thin linings of tissues surrounding vital organs like the lungs, heart, and abdomen. Mesothelioma usually takes 20 to 50 years after exposure to asbestos to develop, and by the time doctors diagnose the illness, victims are often left with diminished treatment options to improve their health.
In April 2018, a Middlesex, New Jersey Superior Court jury handed down a $37 million judgement for medical bills and pain and suffering against Johnson & Johnson and Imerys Talc. The same jury also determined the defendants acted with extreme recklessness and awarded an additional $80 million in punitive damages to compensate the plaintiffs and punish the defendants for their negligent behavior. Johnson & Johnson faces dozens of similar lawsuits brought by other victims across the country and continues to deny liability in those claims instead of compensating victims appropriately.
While no amount of money can undo a mesothelioma diagnosis, the law allows victims and their surviving family members to file mesothelioma cancer lawsuits against asbestos companies to recover vital compensation to pay for medical treatment. Furthermore, some asbestos companies were required to set up asbestos bankruptcy trusts with which victims may file administrative claims to recover compensation for lost wages, medical bills, and pain and suffering.
Arizona Mesothelioma Lawyer
If you or a loved one was diagnosed with mesothelioma, contact our office to speak to one of our experienced Arizona 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.
