Johnson & Johnson ordered to pay $417M to cancer patient Eva Echevarria
Johnson and Johnson, a name synonymous with gentle bath products , was assessed $417 million in damages by a Los Angeles jury on Monday after the company was found liable in a case charging that they failed to highlight the dangers of their talc powder and its link to cancer, The Los Angeles Times reported . It marks the largest verdict in at least 300 lawsuits in California and over 4,500 claims filed against the company nationwide that their Baby Powder and Shower to Shower products are linked to cancer, the Times reported . Talcum powder, popularly used for absorbing moisture and cutting down on friction, is made from the mineral talc, which naturally contains some asbestos, which is known to be linked to cancer, according to the American Cancer Society . While talcum powders produced since the 1970’s for the commercial market are asbestos free, researchers and scientists are still not entirely certain about the connection between the powder and instances of cancer, the ACS writes...