pstrongMassachusetts

Massachusetts Jury Delivers Historic $42.6 Million Verdict Against Johnson & Johnson in Asbestos Case Linked to Baby Powder

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A jury in Boston has mandated Johnson & Johnson to pay more than $42.6 million to Paul Lovell and his wife, Kathryn, marking this as one of the largest mesothelioma settlements in Massachusetts history. The couple accused the multinational corporation of negligence for allegedly permitting asbestos contamination in its widely used baby powder, without adequately warning consumers about the associated risks. During a two-week trial, evidence was presented revealing that Lovell, 69, had used Johnson’s Baby Powder for years on himself and his four children. He was unaware that this familiar talc-based product could contribute … Read more

Massachusetts Faces Crisis as Hundreds Await Court-Appointed Lawyers Amid Constitutional Concerns

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Boston, Massachusetts – The ongoing issue of low compensation rates for court-appointed attorneys in Massachusetts is contributing to a notable increase in unrepresented defendants, prompting serious concerns from the Massachusetts Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. The organization has labeled the current situation a “full-blown constitutional breakdown,” as the state struggles to meet the legal needs of its most vulnerable populations. On Monday, the association reported that over 150 individuals in Boston are currently waiting for court-assigned attorneys, with nearly 40 of those individuals being held in custody without legal representation. Middlesex County mirrors this troubling … Read more

Massachusetts Judge Excludes Unrelated Murder Case From Karen Read’s Retrial as New Evidence Surfaces

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Dedham, Massachusetts — A judge has ruled to prohibit references to an unrelated, flawed murder case during Karen Read’s retrial concerning the 2022 death of her boyfriend, Boston police officer John O’Keefe. This decision comes in light of the complexities surrounding Read’s legal battles, which have been marked by accusations and confusion. The court’s ruling was prompted by ongoing concerns related to a separate case involving the death of Sandra Birchmore. Initially classified as a suicide, Birchmore’s death was later reexamined by federal investigators, leading to charges against a former Stoughton police officer, Matthew Farwell, … Read more

Massachusetts Jury Awards $40.57 Million to Family Over Cigarette-Related Lung Cancer Death

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Woburn, Massachusetts — A jury trial this week concluded with a $40.57 million verdict against the country’s two leading cigarette manufacturers, Philip Morris and R.J. Reynolds. The jury found the companies liable for the lung cancer death of 54-year-old Jose Amaral, who passed away in 2019. The jury in the Middlesex County Superior Court reached its decision after five days of deliberations. They determined that cigarettes produced by both Philip Morris and R.J. Reynolds were defectively designed, contributing to Amaral’s cancer diagnosis and subsequent death. Of the total verdict, $25 million was awarded in punitive … Read more