May 13, 2019 - The beleaguered Johnson & Johnson was recently cleared of liability in a mesothelioma lawsuit. Fifty-eight-year-old Ricardo Rimondi and his wife sued Johnson & Johnson in 2017, alleging a lifetime of exposure to Johnson’s Shower to Shower and its iconic Johnson’s Baby Powder caused his disease due to the asbestos found in the talc. In Rimondi’s case, the jury verdict was unanimous and was delivered only miles from the New Brunswick J & J headquarters. Johnson & Johnson is currently facing more than 13,000 talc-related lawsuits across the nation however continues to deny its talc causes cancer. In fact, J & J claims the powder has undergone numerous tests which have shown the powder to be asbestos-free. Despite Rimondi’s loss—and J & J’s claims their talc is safe—the company just settled three other mesothelioma talc cases which were pending in state courts in New York, Oklahoma and California.
J & J Claims No Settlement Program in the Works - When asked about the settlements, a spokesperson from J & J stated, “there are one-off situations where settlement is reasonable,” yet continued to maintain the safety of its powders. In answer to the question of whether a settlement program was in the works, the answer was a resounding “no.” Although J & J shares have dropped slightly over the past few months, the company saw a rise of .13 cents per share following Rimondi’s jury verdict. Thus far J & J has faced twelve trials by consumers who claim their mesothelioma was caused by asbestos fibers in their J & J talcum powder. Five of those trials resulted in a hung jury or a mistrial, three found J & J liable to the tune of $172 million in damages (which J & J is appealing) and the company was cleared of liability in four trials.
Talcum Powder Ovarian Cancer Verdicts Appealed- The vast majority of the talcum powder lawsuits against Johnson & Johnson are from women who claim the company’s talcum powder (when used for feminine hygiene purposes) caused ovarian cancer. Verdicts in favor of the plaintiffs in these cases have been as high as $4.69 billion. Some of the ovarian cancer verdicts have been overturned on technical legal grounds with many appeals by J & J still pending. In December Reuters published a report which claimed J & J was aware the talc in their powders sometimes tested positive for small amounts of asbestos as far back as the 1970’s.
These test results were never disclosed to regulators or to consumers. J & J calls the findings in the Reuters report both misleading and inaccurate, continuing to maintain the safety of its products. For those who have been diagnosed with ovarian cancer or mesothelioma who believe their diagnosis is the result of asbestos in J & J powders, it could be beneficial to speak to a baby powder ovarian cancer lawyer. If you are in need of legal help for a baby powder ovarian cancer claim, the Baby Powder Ovarian Cancer Lawyers at Sullo & Sullo can help.