A Boston jury has awarded $8 million to an 84-year-old woman diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma, a rare cancer linked to asbestos exposure. Janice Paluzzi’s health struggles stem from decades of using Johnson & Johnson’s baby powder, which the jury found to be contaminated with asbestos. The panel concluded that the company was aware of these hazards for many years yet failed to inform users of the dangers.
Paluzzi received her mesothelioma diagnosis in 2021, shortly after Johnson & Johnson ceased North American sales of its talc-based powder amid intensified scrutiny and litigation. The decision to stop global sales followed a year later. Evidence presented during the trial revealed that the company had been cognizant of the asbestos contamination issue but did not take steps to mitigate it or alert consumers.
Paluzzi’s attorneys highlighted the extensive exposure she endured while caring for her children in homes with only one bathroom, where the talc-based product was used frequently over two decades. They brought forth expert testimony linking asbestos exposure to the development of mesothelioma, underscoring the serious health risks associated with the product.
This verdict is part of a larger wave of approximately 60,000 pending asbestos lawsuits against Johnson & Johnson. A representative for Paluzzi emphasized the betrayal felt by families who trusted the safety of the baby powder, stating, “She used it every day on herself and her children. The jury saw that betrayal and delivered justice.”
If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with mesothelioma or another asbestos-related illness linked to talc products, support resources are available. Reach out to patient advocates for assistance and guidance.
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