Can companies be held accountable for dangerous products?

Pharmaceutical products are complex. Unfortunately, even seemingly everyday, ordinary products may also produce unintended results, as a recent trial outcome involving Johnson & Johnson’s talc-powder illustrates.

Although new pharmaceutical products must present some data regarding their research trials to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, there may also be a practical limit to the FDA’s screening ability. Especially when it comes to long-term effects, the implications of a new drug or product may be unclear. Some adverse reactions are discovered only after consumers come forward with product liability suits and/or complaints to the FDA.

In this case, around 1,200 lawsuits have been filed against Johnson & Johnson, alleging a cancer risk posed by its Baby Powder. In the instant trial, a jury awarded a total award of $55 million against the company. A woman who claimed that she had developed ovarian cancer from the product had brought the lawsuit.

If a dangerous or defective product has injured you, it is important to know that you do not have to deal with your injuries on your own. Our personal injury law firm has extensive experience filing lawsuits against manufacturers or responsible companies. The case is not always easy, as proving negligence requires the injured party to convince a jury by a preponderance of the evidence. Fortunately, our law firm knows how to investigate a product, utilizing civil discovery techniques to obtain documentation of the product’s research trials and/or design specifications. We also have relationships with various experts who may be able to testify regarding flaws or health hazards specific to a particular subject area.

Source: Reuters, “Johnson & Johnson ordered to pay $55 million in talc-powder trial,” Jessica Dye, May 3, 2016