A Middlesex County courtroom heard the opening statements Jan. 29, 2018 in a lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson. The petition alleges that J&J’s talc products caused an Essex County man’s cancer.Stephen Lanzo, III, 46, of Verona, says the Johnson’s Baby Powder he used throughout his life exposed him to asbestos. His lawsuit petition says that powder led to his developing mesothelioma, a deadly cancer that affects lungs and abdomen tissue.
Related: FDA on Talc "Cosmetic companies have a legal responsibility for the safety and labeling of their products and ingredients, but the law does not require them to share their safety information with FDA."
The lawsuit petition filed in 2016 reads that Mr. Lanzo and his wife Kendra seek monetary damages after “Lanzo regularly and frequently used and was exposed to asbestos-containing Johnson & Johnson talc powder products.”
Mr. Lanzo’s is the first case to be tried at the Middlesex County Courthouse, which is less than a mile from Johnson & Johnson headquarters in New Brunswick. He is the second person to allege that J&J’s talc products have caused a user to develop mesothelioma cancer.
Related: California Jury awards $22 Million in Talc Asbestos Trial
Hundreds of J&J Talc Cancer Cases
Several other cases filed across the country have claimed J&J’s talc powder products have caused women’s ovarian cancer. Hundreds of plaintiffs in other suits claim Johnson’s talc powder caused their cancer.
Opening Statements
The Lanzos’ lawsuit claims J&J knew its products contained asbestos, but failed to properly warn its consumers. In opening statement, Mr. Lanzo’s lawyer said, “It’s true, we don’t know how many Johnson & Johnson users have mesothelioma. (The) fact is that the defendants have never studied that.”
J&J’s lawyers argued in opening statement that the company’s talc products never contained asbestos, and that the plaintiffs used faulty test methods to prove otherwise.
Second trial to test J&J Baby Powder Mesothelioma Link
Defendants in the case also include Imerys Talc America and Cyprus Amax Minerals Co.
The case is being presided over by Judge Ana Viscomi. It is expected to last through February 2018.
Related
- Talcum Powder Mesothelioma Trial in New Jersey
- Talc Asbestos Case settled by Colgate-Palmolive
- California Jury Awards $22 Million in Talc Asbestos Trial
- Talcum Mesothelioma Cancer Lawsuit
- Talcum Powder Ovarian Cancer Link
by Matthews & Associates
