J&J, others hit with $10M talc mesothelioma verdict

(Legal Newsline) – An Orleans Parish jury has awarded a $10 million verdict in a mesothelioma case brought on behalf of the family of a Louisiana woman who died in 2020 after developing the disease allegedly following decades of exposure to talc products.

The jury concluded Lynne Roy had regular, significant exposure to asbestos from products manufactured or sold by Johnson & Johnson and that exposure was a significant cause of her mesothelioma. The jury found J&J negligent and ruled its products were unreasonably dangerous in multiple respects as well as saying the company negligently failure to warn about the hazards associated with asbestos.

The total award included $8 million in damages for Lynne Roy’s physical pain and suffering, mental anguish and loss of enjoyment of life, and $1 million each to her daughters, Melissa Kaiser and Melanie Roy, for the loss of their mother.

Attorneys Danny Kraft and Darren McDowell of the Dallas-based law firm Dean Omar Branham Shirley represented the estate.

“Lynne Roy was a lifelong resident of New Orleans and a prominent businesswoman who ran a multigenerational real estate company,” said Jessica Dean, a partner at DOBS. “She was a selfless, kind woman who dedicated much of her time in the service of others, helping many underprivileged families obtain homes.

“Her two daughters had to wait over six years for their day in court in large part due to two bad faith bankruptcies initiated by Johnson & Johnson. They are incredibly grateful to the jury and court for being able to have their mother’s story heard.”

The jury returned its verdict after deliberating for four hours, determining several other defendants, including other talc companies and companies that intentionally included asbestos in their products, also were a significant factor in Ms. Roy’s death. J&J’s share of the verdict was set at over $1.2 million.

DOBS said the verdict was its 11th talc trial victory against J&J in six states. It also said it has additional talc trials scheduled against J&J later this year.

Orleans Parish Civil District Court case number 2020-02718

This report was produced by Legal Newsline and distributed by The Center Square as part of a content-sharing agreement. Reach editor John O’Brien at john.obrien@therecordinc.com.

This story originally appeared on thecentersquare.com.