Joanne Anderson, 66, of Oregon Awarded $25 Million by Jury
WEST COVINA, Calif. (June 1, 2018) – Johnson & Johnson will have to pay $25.75 million to a 66-year-old Williams, Oregon woman who used its baby powder products for decades and was diagnosed with an asbestos-caused cancer in the lining of her lungs.
Joanne Anderson and her husband Gary were plaintiffs in the lawsuit against the baby powder manufacturer whose products allegedly caused her to be diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma. The avid bowler regularly used the products an estimated 10,000 times over the years on her hands and in her shoes and used it on her children.
A West Covina Superior Court jury on Wednesday, May 23th, awarded the plaintiffs $21.75 million in compensatory damages and $4 million punitive damages. The company is responsible for two-thirds of the verdict amount as Anderson was also exposed to asbestos as she was around her husband’s automotive work.
Other recent jury awards:
- $13 million (2015) to Judith Winkel from Colgate-Palmolive
- $18 million (2016) to Philip Depoian from Whittaker Clark & Daniels.
- $117 million (2018 on appeal) to Stephen Lanzo from Johnson & Johnson/Imerys Talc America
Johnson & Johnson, which is fighting some 6,000 similar claims, was deemed to be negligent as they failed to warn consumers and sold baby powder that contained asbestos due to manufacturing and design defects. Many of the claims the company is defending itself against involve woman with ovarian cancer, but more recently cases against J&J are for mesothelioma caused by the asbestos contamination in the baby powder.
Talcum Powder Lawsuits
The American Cancer Association states that talc in its natural form is known to contain asbestos, a carcinogenic substance known to cause cancer to humans when it is inhaled into the lungs. This mineral, which comprises magnesium, silicon and oxygen, is often used by women in their genital region to absorb moisture and keep it dry. Studies have shown that particles may enter the vagina, the uterus or the Fallopian tubes and travel to the ovaries. In 2006, the International Agency for Research on Cancer classified talcum powder as a possible human carcinogen.
Talcum Powder Law Firm
Johnson Attorneys Group represents clients who believe they were harmed by using talcum powder products. Our personal injury law firm handles cases on behalf of victims who have been diagnosed with Ovarian or Fallopian tube cancers after using products such as Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder, Shower to Shower powder or WalMart’s Equate talcum powder. You may be entitled to damages to compensate you for lost wages, medical expenses, pain and suffering, loss of consortium, loss of enjoyment of your life.
Our California law firm works on a contingency-fee basis which means you will not pay us fees unless we are able to provide you with a financial settlement. If there is no settlement, you do not pay us attorney fees.
Give our office a call at 855-703-4186 for a free consultation.
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