Johnson & Johnson Pays a $700 Million Product Liability Settlement

An investigation into claims that Johnson & Johnson’s talc-based products, including its popular baby powder line, might cause cancer, the multinational company has agreed to pay a $700 million settlement. The products in question had been sold for over a century, but the investigation was a result of significant complaints that contrary to the company’s statements and marketing over the years, the products were not safe for consumption, the company was aware of the dangers, and purposely hid this information from the public while continuing to market the products. While the company didn’t confess to any wrongdoing and maintained that all its products were safe to use it did agree to pay out this enormous settlement. If you have used this or another product and you are concerned you might have been harmed, contact an experienced Will County, IL product liability lawyer who can explain your options.

What Are Product Liability Cases?

There is an entire category of law known as personal injury, which generally covers damages people suffer as a result of someone else’s negligence. A major subcategory of personal injury law is product liability. In these cases, the plaintiff does not need to prove that the other person or party was negligent but instead that the defendant sold a product that posed an unreasonable danger to the public.

There is a statute of limitations for product liability claims. Even if you have a strong case demonstrating the other party’s fault for your injury or damage, you need to file your suit within two years after the injury. Otherwise, you will lose your chance.

There are certain ways around this statute of limitations. For example, there is the Discover Rule, which states that the two-year period begins only once you have discovered the injury. This can help in situations where the use of a certain product causes an injury, but you are not aware of the injury until later.

In a democracy like America, where citizens can assume there is reason to have faith in the authorities to ensure their general safety, it can be shocking and overwhelming to be lawfully sold a product that turns out to be harmful to you. If, for example, you are a generally healthy person who receives a cancer diagnosis, and you later discover this cancer is linked to a product you used, you will likely feel justifiably angry and will want the company behind the product to pay not only as a way to punish those responsible but also to receive help to cover the costs of all your medical bills and time spent out of work as a result. That is where a dedicated personal injury attorney can help.

Schedule a Free Consultation with an Orland Park, IL Product Liability Attorney

If you have reason to believe that you were harmed by using a product, speak with a qualified Will County, IL product liability lawyer. At Fotopoulos Law Office, we are passionate about getting justice for our clients and holding accountable whoever is responsible for their injuries. Call us at 708-942-8400 to schedule a free consultation.