News Alert

A Massachusetts jury has awarded $8 million to Janice Paluzzi, finding that Johnson & Johnson’s talcum powder products substantially contributed to her mesothelioma. The verdict includes $5 million for past pain and suffering and $3 million for future pain and suffering.

Paluzzi, diagnosed in 2021, testified that she used Johnson’s Baby Powder and Shower to Shower daily since childhood. The jury concluded that the products contained asbestos and that a design defect and negligent formulation were substantial contributing factors to her illness. However, Johnson & Johnson was not found liable for failure to warn or breach of implied warranty.

In its defense, Johnson & Johnson argued that Paluzzi’s mesothelioma was more likely caused by secondary asbestos exposure from her sons’ building maintenance work, not its talcum powder. The company also claimed Paluzzi primarily used Jean Nate talc, not J&J products, and emphasized that none of the tested talc bottles were hers. Additionally, J&J asserted that the plaintiff failed to quantify her lifetime asbestos exposure, making it impossible to prove their product was a substantial contributing factor.

You can read the complete Law360 article reporting on the verdict here.