A jury recently ruled in favor of a woman who died as a result of the cancer-causing ingredients used in Johnson & Johnson consumer products. The victim’s family received an award of $72 million in damages.
The verdict is receiving a great deal of media attention, much of which is likely being driven by the fact that Johnson & Johnson is one of the country’s largest manufacturers of consumer packaged goods, pharmaceutical goods and medical devices.
Jacqueline Fox, a Missouri woman, died at the age of 62 after being diagnosed with ovarian cancer. She reportedly used Johnson & Johnson products for more than 35 years. When it was later revealed that some of those products, which include baby powder and Shower to Shower absorbent body powder, contained dangerous, cancer-causing ingredients, Fox’s loved ones filed a wrongful death lawsuit.
The lawyers for the victim’s family alleged that the Johnson & Johnson products had talcum powder that caused Fox’s cancer and ultimately led to her tragic death. Although the product manufacturer reportedly conceded that the products contain ingredients that can potentially cause cancer, the dispositive issue in the case was whether Johnson & Johnson acted negligently when they did not take steps to make their products safer for consumption. The plaintiffs’ attorneys argued at trial that the product manufacturer knew about the dangerous products “as far back as the 1980s” and subsequently lied about the possible health risks.
Defense attorneys in the case countered that the company has always been committed to “the health and safety of consumers.” Johnson & Johnson also argued that the cosmetic talc used in the company’s products was not responsible for the victim’s cancer diagnosis.
At the conclusion of the trial, the jury returned a verdict in favor of Fox’s family and said that Johnson & Johnson was liable for fraud, negligence and conspiracy.
For further information about this case, read the Yahoo.com article, “People Are Afraid to Use Johnson & Johnson Products after a Jury Ordered It to Pay $72 Million over a Cancer Death.”
If you or someone you love was injured, or died, due to a faulty product or device, you may need a qualified product liability and personal injury lawyer on your side. The experienced NJ product liability attorneys at Andres, Berger & Tran can help you get maximum compensation for your injuries. Contact us today for a free consultation.
