Johnson & Johnson’s Year in Court
$1 billion, $502 million, $124 million, $ 72 million, $70 million, $70 million, and $55 million. Those seven numbers listed represent the largest product defect verdicts in 2016. Johnson & Johnson lost six of those seven. The $124 million represents Audi’s seat back failure. But, 2017 could be worse for J&J as it faces at least 17 trials in courts across the United States.
J&J had such an awful year because it has five known products with defects and the claims against them are not going away any time soon. Their hip implants, talcum powder, pelvic mesh, an anti-psychotic drug, and a blood thinner all had serious problems leading to major health problems for consumers. These products have thousands more claims against them than the 17 scheduled for trial. There are more coming too, 102,700 more according to the company’s corporate filings. That number does not include injured consumers that are yet to file against the company, or that do not know they can file against the company. If you have been injured by any of the products listed below let Rheingold Giuffra Ruffo Plotkin & Hellman LLP now.
Why are they in Court?
Their baby powder could be causing ovarian cancer in woman. What’s even worse is that Johnson and Johnson may have hidden and withheld information exposing the flaw in their products. Their baby powder and Shower to Shower Brand (from 2012 may be responsible for some forms of cancer in women. ($72 million, $70 million, and $55 million were all verdicts from talcum powder cases)
J&J’s anti-psychotic drug Risperdal has boys and young men alleging that it caused them to develop female breasts. ($70 million was a verdict in a Risperdal case)
J&J’s Pinnacle him implant products failed and caused patients immense pain and required replacement surgeries. ($1 billion and $502 million were each verdicts from Pinnacle hip implant cases)
Xarelto, their blood thinner, could cause uncontrollable bleeding.
Lastly, the company’s pelvic mesh inserts eroded while inside patients’ bodies.
Johnson and Johnson continues to deny liability for the injuries they have caused pointing either to a lack of scientific evidence or claiming that they sufficiently warned about side effects.
Why does J&J continue to fight?The company wants to discourage plaintiffs from filing claims against them by drawing out the process. The longer it is the more they can win some cases and make plaintiffs think they will not get compensated for their injuries. J&J also continues to fight because despite some hefty losses they have won a few cases and succeeded in taking away money that product users have won. Judges have the ability to modify jury awards and have done so. The $1 billion settlement was cut to $500 million. As cases continue to progress a settlement value, if any, will become clearer.
