Since 2009, pharmaceutical giant Johnson & Johnson (J&J) has been in legal hot water in regard to allegations that its talcum powder products contain asbestos, a known cancer-causing agent. The company was issued yet another blow just a few weeks ago when the United States Supreme Court denied their appeal to dismiss a Missouri court’s order that they pay several plaintiffs with ovarian cancer $2.1 billion. I’ll tell you more about the verdict, where talc-cancer cases stand now, and what to do if you think your cancer was caused by a talc-based product. As always, the New York talcum powder lawsuit lawyers at Buttafuoco & Associates continue to handle these cases. We would be happy to answer your questions and discuss your legal rights during a free consultation.
Background on the Appeal
On June 1, The U.S. Supreme Court officially rejected J&J’s appeal with none of the justices dissenting. This particular legal battle began last year, when a Missouri judge ordered J&J to pay $2.1 billion in damages to the plaintiffs, who said their use of Johnson & Johnson baby powder directly caused their ovarian cancer. J&J first attempted an appeal through the Missouri Supreme Court, but the court upheld the verdict and amount. At this point, J&J took their case to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Many of the arguments that were made by plaintiffs in this case are nearly identical to those we have heard in other cases against J&J. For one, plaintiffs said the company had known for decades that their talc powder was contaminated with asbestos. The second piece of the argument was that despite having this knowledge, J&J focused on profits rather than consumer safety, failing to improve the product’s safety and refusing to warn consumers of the potentially deadly effects of using their baby powder.
Even as plaintiffs have continued to file lawsuits against the company, J&J has maintained that their products are safe. Finally, in May of 2020, the company stopped selling talcum-based baby powder in the U.S. and Canada, but by then it was far too late. Thousands of people had already been harmed by the product. Today, they face nearly 22,000 lawsuits from people who say they have been harmed by their talc products.
This type of behavior from any company is egregious, and they must be held accountable. If you believe you have been harmed by a Johnson & Johnson product, it is advisable to seek legal help immediately. Buttafuoco & Associates has extensive experience with these types of cases, so don’t hesitate to contact us.
How to Find a New York Talcum Powder Lawsuit Attorney
If you believe your cancer was caused by the use of a dangerous talc-based product, you may be eligible to join a mass tort lawsuit and make your voice heard alongside those of others who have suffered due to corporate negligence.
Mass torts are similar to class action lawsuits in that there is power in numbers, and these cases are often more successful than individual lawsuits. One main difference between mass torts and class action suits is that mass tort settlements are often significantly higher. Settlement amounts are tiered based on the specifics of the case, including the severity of your disease and level of exposure to the product.
If you choose Buttafuoco & Associates, your case will be personally handled by a talcum powder lawsuit attorney in Woodbury New York. Our team has successfully handled many mass tort cases and will take care of all of the details of your case so you can focus on your health.
To find out more, get in touch with us today at 1-800-NOW-HURT.
