NY Talc Trial, J&J Hit With $300M In Punitive Damages

NY Talc Trial, J&J Hit With $300M In Punitive Damages

Introduction

J&J has been hit with $300M in punitive damages over a talcum powder lawsuit, on Friday, following a recent verdict held in NY.

A 66-year old woman and her husband had filed a lawsuit against J&J for her pleural mesothelioma, a cancer of the lining of the lungs in 2017. On May 21, 2019, a New York jury granted $25 million in compensatory damages to the plaintiffs, claiming the company was responsible for her mesothelioma but did not finalize on the punitive damages against the company. The NY jury finalized $300 million in punitive damages on Friday, adding the total verdict to $325 million. According to a J&J spokesperson, the company will appeal against the verdict.

J&J is facing nearly 14,000 similar allegations against its talc-based products. Hon. Freda L. Wolfson, U.S.D.J./ Hon. Lois H. Goodman, U.S.M.J. overlooks J&J's talcum powder multidistrict litigation (MDL No. 2738; In Re: Johnson & Johnson Talcum Powder Products Marketing, Sales Practices, and Products Liability Litigation) in the District of New Jersey.