Johnson & Johnson (J & J) was handed a $25.75 million verdict for failure to warn customers about health risks associated with its baby powder products that have been found to contain asbestos. Honeywell/ Bendix, Borg Warner, and Fel-Pro were also named in the suit. The jury found that J & J was responsible for two-thirds of the damages to the victim.
Joanne and Gary Anderson filed the suit and received $21.75 million in compensatory damages and an additional $4 million in punitive damages. It is believed she contracted pleural mesothelioma from using J & J baby powder often on her hands and feet as an avid bowler, and on her children when they were babies.
In April, a New Jersey couple was awarded $117 million after the husband contracted cancer from using J&J talcum powder for many years. Many other similar cases are currently awaiting their day in court.
Since talc and asbestos are often mined and found near each other naturally, talc products can often be contaminated with asbestos. Companies like J & J who deny the existence of the harmful mineral in their products are purposefully putting consumers at risk.
Johnson & Johnson, of course, is unhappy with the ruling and plans to appeal. Spokeswoman Carol Goodrich stated that they will continue to defend their products even though they contain the carcinogen.
