Johnson & Johnson receives $15M verdict in mesothelioma lawsuit

Johnson & Johnson verdict overview: 

• Who: A Connecticut state jury awarded $15 million to a man claiming he was diagnosed with mesothelioma as a result of exposure to asbestos found in talcum powder produced by Johnson & Johnson. 
• Why: The man argued his mesothelioma was either partially or totally attributable to his exposure to asbestos-tainted talc in the state of Connecticut. 
• Where: The mesothelioma lawsuit was litigated in the Bridgeport Judicial District of the Connecticut Superior Court.

A Connecticut state jury awarded $15 million to a real estate developer who claimed Johnson & Johnson and several of its subsidiaries were responsible for his mesothelioma diagnosis. 

Plaintiff Evan Plotkin’s lawsuit claimed he became ill with mesothelioma as a result of exposure to asbestos found in Johnson & Johnson’s talcum powder, Law360 reports. 

Plotkin reportedly argued he was exposed to the asbestos through his and his children’s use of the talcum powder, as well as through art supplies he says he used for his work as both an artist and sculptor. 

The mesothelioma lawsuit argued Plotkin’s mesothelioma diagnosis was either partially or totally attributable to his exposure to asbestos-tainted talc in Connecticut, Law360 reports. 

The Johnson & Johnson verdict reportedly included an award of an unspecified amount in punitive damages. Plotkin’s counsel previously argued to the jury he should receive $30 million, Law360 reports. 

Johnson & Johnson verdict ends claims company was guilty of negligence, other offenses

The lawsuit reportedly claimed Johnson & Johnson was guilty of strict liability, negligence, failure to warn, breach of warranty, recklessness, fraudulent misrepresentation and conspiracy. 

The complaint also named Johnson & Johnson subsidiaries Johnson & Johnson Holdco (NA) Inc., Pecos River Talc LLC, Kenvue Inc. and talc liability unit LLT Management LLC, Law360 reports. 

Johnson & Johnson was also accused of fraud and violations of the Connecticut Unfair Trade Practices Act; however, the judge overseeing the case threw out the fraud claims after ruling they had not moved through the Connecticut Product Liability Act. 

Last month, an Oregon state judge rejected a separate jury award of $260 million given to a woman who similarly claimed she developed cancer as a result of using Johnson & Johnson talcum powder. 

Have you been injured by exposure to Johnson & Johnson talcum powder? Let us know in the comments.

The Johnson & Johnson verdict is In re: Evan Plotkin et al. v. Johnson & Johnson et al., Case No. FBT-CV-21-6109520-S, in the Bridgeport Judicial District of the Connecticut Superior Court.

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