Today, we are concluding our short series, taking a closer look at specific lawsuits and settlements. We hope to highlight why certain cases are worth more than others, what issues arise in personal injury cases, and what you can expect if you have a similar case.
Talcum Powder and Cancer Product Liability Case
One of recent memory’s most significant product liability cases involved Johnson & Johnson’s talcum powder. A jury in 2018 awarded $4.69 billion to nearly two dozen women who acquired cancer after routinely using the company’s talcum powder, which was found to contain asbestos. The plaintiffs argued that Johnson & Johnson had long been aware of the risks associated with their product but failed to warn consumers. The case drew substantial attention because of the large number of affected individuals and Johnson & Johnson’s concealment of the product’s risks.
Johnson & Johnson defended against the core accusations and argued that the case should not have been heard in Missouri because many plaintiffs were women from other parts of the country. Even after the jury awarded these women substantial damages, the company continued appeals, eventually reducing the amount to a little over $2 billion. This amount, however, is one portion of a growing amount of settlements and monetary punishments Johnson & Johnson is dealing with in 2024.
While this case is exceptional, it highlights just how large these settlement and judgment amounts can become when companies put profits over the health and wellness of their customers and the public at large. In cases where only one person is injured due to negligence or mistakes in a company’s processes, settlements are usually much smaller.
New York Sanitation Worker Workplace Accident
Back in 2014, a tragic workplace accident in New York City resulted in a substantial wrongful death settlement. A sanitation worker lost his life after being struck by a sweeper truck while on the job. The victim’s wife filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the City of New York, citing severe negligence and carelessness of the city worker who struck her husband. The court awarded the family $41.5 million in compensation at the end of the case.
This substantial settlement, one of the largest in that part of NYC, was due to several factors. Firstly, the evidence of negligence was clear and convincing, as there were unsafe working conditions that the city did not protect the workers from. Secondly, the impact on the victim’s family was profound, both emotionally and financially, which the jury considered when determining the compensation amount. The final amount was $1.5 million for pain and suffering, $15 million for past losses of parental care, guidance, and support, and $25 million for future losses.
Wrongful death and severe injury cases in the workplace can lead to settlements ranging from hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars, depending on the circumstances and extent of negligence. When negligence is apparent and the evidence is overwhelming, it is much easier for jurors to agree that compensation is warranted.
Remember, these large amounts are not guaranteed, even if your case is similar. Often, the best course of action is securing a settlement that can get you the help you need fast, which is sometimes at odds with the goal of obtaining the most money possible. Regardless of what issues you face, however, you have the right to fight for what is right and file a lawsuit against whoever injured you or a loved one.
Probinsky & Cole can provide more insight into your case after your free initial consultation. Contact us today to speak to a member of our team and learn more.
