Talcum Powder Lawsuit: J & J, Imerys to Pay $80M in Punitive Damages

Johnson & Johnson and talc supplier Imerys SA must pay an additional $80 million in punitive damages to a man who said he developed mesothelioma after using asbestos-contaminated talcum powder, a New Jersey state court jury ruled Wednesday. The court has awarded $117 million in total damages in the case. Last week, a New Brunswick, New Jersey, jury ordered J&J and Imerys to pay $37 million in compensatory damages to plaintiff Stephen Lanzo III and his wife. It was the first trial loss for J&J over allegations that its talc-based products contain deadly asbestos. Last year, a Los Angeles Superior Court ruled in favor of the consumer goods and pharmaceutical giant in the first asbestos-related talcum powder case against the company. Lanzo, a retired banker, claimed he used Johnson & Johnson’s Shower to Shower and Baby Powder products from 1972 to 2003. Johnson & Johnson was ordered to pay $55 million in punitive damages, while Imerys is responsible for the other $25 million. In the compensatory damages verdict, J&J was found 70 percent liable ($25.9 million), with Imerys on the hook for the other 30 percent, or $11.1 million. Companies Continue to Deny Allegations Johnson & Johnson denies claims that its talc-based products ever contained asbestos. The company has not made an official statement on the Lanzo trial as of Wednesday afternoon. In the trial, J&J argued it conducted extensive testing to make sure its products were asbestos-free....
Source: Asbestos and Mesothelioma News - Category: Environmental Health Authors: Source Type: news