A California jury recently heard closing arguments in an asbestos cancer lawsuit brought by a plaintiff who claims she developed mesothelioma as a result of years of exposure from carcinogens in talc-based products produced by Johnson & Johnson. The trial is one of the first of many the pharmaceutical and cosmetics giant will face this year by itself after codefendant and minerals supplier Imerys Talc USA was dismissed from many of the cases after filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in federal court.
According to the asbestos lawsuit, filed in Oakland court, the plaintiff used Johnson & Johnson's Baby Powder since the 1960s, never knowing it may have been contaminated with deadly asbestos fibers. The plaintiff's lawyers pointed to Johnson & Johnson internal company documents which allegedly show that the company knew for decades about the presence of the carcinogenic mineral but placed no warnings on labels to inform consumers of the risks.
In its defense, Johnson & Johnson's lawyers attempted to obfuscate blame by asserting the materials could not be reliable since they were decades old and the authors of those reports were not able to come and testify on the matter. Johnson and Johnson faces an estimated 13,000 other talcum powder asbestos cancer lawsuits in state and federal courts across the country brought by victims who claim they suffer from debilitating health conditions as a result of the company knowingly providing a dangerous product.
Although talc does not contain asbestos itself, the two are both naturally occurring minerals often found in deposits next to each other. If talc suppliers do not exercise due caution when mining or processing talc, it may be contaminated with asbestos fibers and potentially harm innocent people. Talc is used in a variety of cosmetics products, particularly in hygiene products traditionally marketed to women and persons of color.
Mesothelioma is one of the most serious health conditions associated with exposure to asbestos. The disease is a rare and deadly type of cancer that grows tumors in thin linings of tissue surrounding vital organs like the lungs, heart, and abdominal cavity. There is no known cure for mesothelioma as of yet, and patients are often left with limited treatment options after a diagnosis is made due to the disease's latency period, which can last anywhere from 20 to 50 years.
By filing a mesothelioma cancer lawsuit, victims and their family members can recover vital compensation for past and future medical expenses, lost wages, and other economic damages. Additionally, plaintiffs may be entitled to compensation for the physical pain and suffering of undergoing treatment and living with a mesothelioma cancer diagnosis.
Arizona Mesothelioma Lawyer
If you or a loved one were 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.
