NEW YORK, June 4, 2019 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- The attorneys of Levy Konigsberg LLP are pleased to announce that they have obtained a $325 million verdict against Johnson & Johnson on behalf of Robert and Donna Olson (Supreme Court of the State of New York, County of New York - Index No. 190328/2017). Mrs. Olson is suffering from mesothelioma, a type of cancer caused by asbestos exposure. A jury determined that her disease was the result of asbestos found in Johnson & Johnson's baby powder. The Olson's legal team was comprised of attorneys from Levy Konigsberg LLP and Maune Raichle Hartley French & Mudd, LLC. This case marks the first time that a New York jury has awarded a plaintiff damages as a result of asbestos exposure from the use of Johnson & Johnson's talc products.
In the course of the four-month trial, the plaintiffs presented evidence in the form of internal documents that showed that Johnson & Johnson was aware of the fact the talc used to make their Baby Powder contained asbestos. The plaintiffs also presented evidence that the company ignored the risk posed by their products, concealed information regarding talc and asbestos from the public, and purposely adopted testing procedures that lacked the analytical sensitivity required to effectively detect asbestos in talc. Based on J&J's decades of misconduct, the jury found that the company acted with conscious disregard for the safety and health of consumers and awarded punitive damages of $300 million against Johnson & Johnson, and its related consumer products subsidiary, to punish and deter the company and others from engaging in similar conduct in the future. The punitive damages award came ten days after a prior award by the same jury of $25 million in damages to compensate Donna Olson and Robert Olson.
The case presented by the Olson's was similar to prior cases in New Jersey and California in which juries awarded plaintiffs $117 million and $29.5 million, respectively. Attorneys from Levy Konigsberg LLP represented the plaintiffs in those cases, and the Olson's verdict represents the third straight victory that the firm has secured against J&J for mesothelioma caused by asbestos in their baby powder. Jerome Block, partner at Levy Konigsberg LLP, served as lead counsel at trial.
Levy Konigsberg LLP is a nationally-recognized mesothelioma law firm that maintains offices in New York City and New Jersey. They have been representing the rights of injured victims for more than 30 years and have recovered more than $1 billion on behalf of their clients. In addition to their mesothelioma practice, the lawyers of Levy Konigsberg LLP also work with clients in the areas of lead poisoning, whistleblower law, pharmaceutical litigation and other complex cases on behalf of plaintiffs. Those suffering from serious injuries resulting from corporate or government misconduct can schedule a free consultation with an attorney from the firm by calling their offices at 212-605-6200 or by visiting https://www.levylaw.com.
SOURCE Levy Konigsberg LLP
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