Second Jury Verdict Finds Asbestos in Johnsons Baby Powder Caused Lung Cancer

Jurors requested the judge to order Johnson & Johnson to put a cancer warning on bottles of Johnson's Baby Powder

Monday, May 28, 2018 - A California jury has requested that the judge in a recent Johnson's Baby Powder mesothelioma trial order, Johnson & Johnson to relabel bottles of Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder to include a warning that Johnson's Baby Powder is contaminated with asbestos and causes cancer. The judge denied the request and stated that such an action is beyond the scope of the court, however, such a request demonstrated the jury's state of mind. Having heard evidence from both sides the jury felt compensation of $21 million plus $4 million in punitive damages was insufficient to warn millions of Americans that their lives may be at risk from using the popular cosmetic. The jury held Johnson & Johnson 67% responsible for the woman's cancer and Imery Inc., Johnson's talc supplier, 33% responsible. Jurors had requested higher punitive damages in order to hold the cosmetics giant accountable for their negligence and also to generate publicity to warn the public to stop using Johnson's Baby Powder.

Lawsuits by thousands of women alleging that Johnson's Baby Powder caused their ovarian cancer now have added ammunition. Documents unsealed in court indicate that doctors at Johnson & Johnson informed company executives in a memorandum that their talc supply was contaminated with asbestos and that the company could face asbestos cancer lawsuits down the road in time. The guilty verdict against Johnson & Johnson was the second in as many months by individuals claiming asbestos in Johnson's Baby Powder caused their mesothelioma. Last month a jury in New Jersey, Johnson & Johnson's backyard, awarded a local man over $100 million dollars for Johnson & Johnson's negligence in not warning consumers that their baby powder is contaminated with asbestos and the caused of his mesothelioma lung cancer. The man used the baby powder on his body for decades and regularly inhaled talcum powder dust. The jury's award included $80 million in punitive damages. Evidence at the trial of internal company memos dating back some 40 years indicated that Johnson & Johnson knew that their talc was being mined in close proximity to asbestos mines in China and was cross-contaminated. The jury assigned 70% of the damages to Johnson & Johnson's and 30% to Imery, Inc.

Prior to the two talcum powder mesothelioma judgment, Johnsons Baby Powder lawsuits were brought by women that had contracted ovarian cancer after using baby powder in the peritoneal region of their body for feminine hygiene. Studies indicate that scientists at Johnson & Johnson knew decades ago of findings that particles of talc were found in the ovaries of women who had died from the disease. In both ovarian cancer and mesothelioma from asbestos, company memos have been introduced in court that indicate Johnson's executives were aware of the cancer risks posed by using their baby powder and failed to warn consumers.

Information provided by TalcumPowderCancerLawsuit.com, a website devoted to providing news about talcum powder ovarian cancer lawsuits, as well as medical research and findings.