COLUMBIA, S.C. — A South Carolina jury has awarded over $63 million to a man who alleged his terminal lung cancer resulted from exposure to asbestos in Johnson & Johnson’s talc-based baby powder. The verdict also implicated beauty product maker American International Industries as a co-defendant in the legal battle.
Michael Perry, the plaintiff, argued that daily exposure to Johnson & Johnson’s baby powder led to his terminal mesothelioma. The lawsuit, which was resolved in Richland Court, South Carolina, has spotlighted serious allegations against household-name consumer products.
The Court of Common Pleas for the Fifth Judicial Circuit heard that Johnson & Johnson and American International Industries were negligent, a factor that the jury determined was a “proximate cause” of Perry’s illness. Specifically, the award includes more than $23 million in compensatory damages and $30 million in punitive damages assigned to Johnson & Johnson, while American International Industries was ordered to pay $760,000.
Further intensifying the scrutiny on Johnson & Johnson, the jury found that both companies were strictly liable for selling products that were pivotal in causing Perry’s cancer. Noteworthy in their findings was the characterization of the companies’ conduct as “willful, wanton, or reckless.” It was reported that American International Industries committed “fraudulent misrepresentation in selling its products.”
Amid mounting legal and public pressure, Johnson & Johnson had previously agreed, in June, to a $700 million settlement to resolve nationwide claims accusing the company of misleading consumers about the safety of its talc products and agreed to cease sales of such items in the U.S.
The litigations reflect an ongoing reassessment of product safety standards and corporate accountability in the consumer goods industry. The case has also raised pertinent questions regarding the regulation and safety monitoring of products that reach everyday users.
The lawsuit further accused Johnson & Johnson of intentionally misrepresenting the safety of its talc-based products and concealing evidence that they contained asbestos, a known carcinogen. This allegation, if proven true, introduces a narrative of corporate malfeasance undermining consumer trust.
Perry initiated the legal action following his mesothelioma diagnosis in July 2023, a condition almost exclusively linked to asbestos exposure. In a poignant twist to the legal victory, Perry’s spouse, Lonnie Long, was awarded more than $9.6 million for loss of consortium, reflecting the personal and familial toll of the ordeal.
Representing the plaintiffs, attorneys from Dean Omar Branham Shirley LLP and Kassel McVey argued effectively for their clients, highlighting the legal recourse available for consumers harmed by negligent corporate practices.
As the dust settles on this high-stakes legal battle, the implications for product liability and corporate responsibility continue to resonate, potentially setting precedents for future litigations involving consumer safety and corporate transparency.