Pharmaceutical and cosmetics giant Johnson & Johnson recently recalled 33,000 bottles of one of its talc-based products after regulators discovered trace amounts of asbestos fibers in samples taken from a bottle of Baby Powder purchased online. This is the first time Johnson & Johnson has issued such a recall for its iconic Baby Powder product and coincides with the first time the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced finding asbestos in the company's talcum powder products.
The recall applied to one lot of Johnson & Johnson's Baby Powder produced and shipped in the United States back in 2018. On a recent call with reports, Johnson & Johnson's head of Women's Health in the company's medical safety organization, called the asbestos finding “extremely unusual,” adding that it was “inconsistent with our testing to date.”
In its call with reporters, Johnson & Johnson stated that it received a report from the FDA on October 17 alerting the company about the asbestos contamination in the lot of Baby Powder tested and the company would begin an investigation into its manufacturing records. The company faces an estimated 14,000 lawsuits across the country in state and federal court over allegations Baby Powder and Shower to Shower products caused plaintiffs' serious medical conditions.
Since talcum powder cancer lawsuits have gone to trial over the past two years, juries across the country have handed down over $5 billion in total compensation to dozens of plaintiffs who claim they developed various forms of cancer from decades of using Johnson & Johnson's talc-based products such as Baby Powder and Shower to Shower. While the company has settled a handful of lawsuits over its talcum powder products, the company has for the most part chosen to litigate the majority of cases making their way through the courts.
Most of the claims against Johnson & Johnson over its talcum powder products claim the company knew for decades about asbestos fibers in its cosmetics but chose not to provide any warning to consumers about the serious health risks. One of the conditions associated with asbestos exposure is mesothelioma, a rare and deadly form of cancer which commonly affects thin lining of tissue surrounding the lungs but can also affect the heart and abdomen. There is no known cure for mesothelioma and by the time a diagnosis is made, patients are often left with limited treatment options to fight the disease.
Although nothing can undo a mesothelioma cancer diagnosis, victims can help hold negligent companies responsible for their actions by filing an asbestos cancer lawsuit. By filing a claim, plaintiffs can recover compensation for their medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
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 attorney 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.
