Johnson & Johnson has been in the news for several years now, fighting against reports that their baby powder products are associated with ovarian and other cancers. What are the facts behind these reports, and have you and your family been exposed to dangerous toxins that could have a negative impact on health and longevity?
Johnson & Johnson Manipulates the Research
According to a recent Reuter’s report, J & J had a two-pronged strategy to deal with the overwhelming research citing the rates of lung cancer among talc miners: they would contest any negative information, while aggressively promoting any positive news.
This approach, according to J & J’s own documents, led them to avoid conducting research that might lead to “embarrassing” results. Instead, they contracted their own studies, making clear the conclusions they required. Furthermore, they developed relationships with researchers at the U.S. National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health intended to affect study conclusions. Money and influence campaigns were used repeatedly, with multiple researchers and studies, in order to soften conclusions.
Recent Jury Awards for Cancer
Unfortunately for J & J, the courts have not been impressed with the fact that the company knew of the dangers of their product, and actively worked to conceal those dangers from the public To date, the courts have sided with plaintiffs in various battles with Johnson and Johnson over cancer:
- In St. Louis, a jury awarded $550 million in compensatory damages and another $4 billion in punitive damages to 22 individuals who’d experienced ovarian cancer after years of using J & J’s baby powder. Nearly one-third of those women died from the disease before the final verdict was pronounced in 2018.
- In Los Angeles, over $25 million in combined compensatory and punitive damages was awarded to a woman in 2018, who claimed thee frequent use of J & J’s baby powder resulted in mesothelioma.
- Also in 2018, an award of nearly $120 million was handed down to a New Jersey man who claimed his mesothelioma was the result of J & J’s baby powder and Shower to Shower use over a number of years.
- A 2017 case in St. Louis resulted in a $110 million award to a Virginia woman whose long-term use of J & J’s products led to ovarian cancer, eventually spreading to her liver.
- A 2016 jury in St. Louis awarded $70 million to a woman who suffered ovarian cancer after years of using J & J’s baby powder.
Have You Been Harmed?
If you suspect Johnson & Johnson products may be linked to serious health consequences suffered by you or a family member, the heavy hitters at the office of Derek L. Hall, PC will go to bat for you. Don’t suffer in silence. Contact our Jackson product liability lawyers today to schedule a free, confidential consultation today.
