A jury ordered Johnson & Johnson to pay $30 million to a man who developed cancer after using their products for decades.
New Jersey banker Stephen Lanzo claimed his cancer was caused by his use of the company’s products containing talcum powder. Lanzo was diagnosed with mesothelioma, a rare, aggressive cancer that developed in the lining of his lungs.
Lanzo’s wife was also awarded $7 million in damages.
Lanzo’s lawyer argued that Johnson & Johnson failed to inform the Lanzos and other customers about the health risks of asbestos in its talcum powder products. The company insists that regular testing shows that the products do not contain asbestos, but research has shown that when talc is mined, it is often contaminated with asbestos, which is often found near talc deposits.
This case is not unique – Johnson & Johnson and other companies face several more similar cases, including one that is scheduled to go to trial here in South Carolina next month.
Last year, a California judge threw out a jury’s $417 million verdict against the company in the case of a woman who developed ovarian cancer after using Johnson & Johnson talc products.
What Is Tort Law?
This lawsuit is an example of tort law in action. Tort law is about holding people or companies accountable when they do not use reasonable care to avoid harming others. If you are injured in a car accident and you file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver, that is also tort law.
Big companies are in business to make profits, and they often do this at the expense of their customers. When this happens, lawsuits are the only way for people to recover damages and compel large companies to make changes.
How Do Lawsuits Help?
Twenty years ago, an increase in the number of rollover accidents led to repeated lawsuits and big verdicts against automobile and tire makers. The result: The flawed designs that led to these rollover crashes were fixed.
Dozens of drugs have been pulled from the market because of costly lawsuits. For example, the fact that acne drug Accutane caused birth defects and miscarriages, as well as suicidal tendencies, was not enough to get the manufacturer to pull the product – if people were willing to pay for it, they kept selling it.
But, 7,000 lawsuits and three verdicts in the $10 million range forced the company to pull its dangerous drug from the market…
How Can My SC Personal Injury Attorney Help?
If you are injured because of someone else’s negligence – whether it’s a big corporation or an individual – call your Myrtle Beach injury attorney. We can help you recover damages to help pay the immediate and future costs that result from your injury.
The more common types of situations where you can file a lawsuit and recover damages include:
- Auto accidents: Whether the at-fault driver was texting, intoxicated, or just not paying attention, you shouldn’t have to pay for injuries caused by someone else’s negligence.
- Slip and fall accidents: Owners have an obligation to take reasonable care to keep their property clear of trip hazards, ice, holes and other obstructions that could cause a passerby to get hurt.
- Swimming pool drownings: When people die or get hurt in swimming pools, it’s often the result of negligence. Damaged diving boards, poorly maintained slides, unsafe drains, and cloudy water are just a few of the conditions that can lead to easily avoidable accidents.
- Dog attacks: In South Carolina, dog owners can be held liable if their dog attacks someone who is in a public place or is “lawfully in a private place.” Whether the dog bites you or chases you and causes you to fall, the owner can be held liable.
- Assault and battery and other intentional torts: If someone physically attacks you, it’s not negligence. It’s a deliberate act. They probably will be facing criminal charges, but you can also hold them liable in civil court, and they may be forced to pay punitive damages.
SC Personal Injury Lawyers in Myrtle Beach, Conway, Charleston, and Columbia
If you have been hurt in any kind of accident caused by another person’s negligence, contact the personal injury attorneys at Coastal Law today at (843) 488-5000 or fill out our online form to set up a free consultation to discuss your case.
