Roy v. Johnson & Johnson: $10 Million Mesothelioma Verdict
Landry & Swarr helped represent the family of Lynne Roy in Roy v. Johnson & Johnson, a mesothelioma case involving her lifelong use of talc-containing baby powder.
Following a three-week trial in Orleans Parish, the jury found that Ms. Roy had significant exposure to asbestos in a product manufactured by Johnson & Johnson and that the exposure was a cause of her mesothelioma. The jury awarded $10 million in total damages to Ms. Roy’s family.
The jury cast Johnson and Johnson liable for approximately $2 million dollars of the award and several other defendants liable for the remainder
Lynne Roy’s Mesothelioma Diagnosis
Lynne Roy was a well-known real estate professional in the New Orleans area and a leader in local Realtor organizations. She was also the mother of two adult daughters.
Ms. Roy was diagnosed with mesothelioma in January 2020. The case centered in part on her lifelong use of Johnson & Johnson baby powder containing talc. Evidence at trial also addressed her use of other talc-containing personal products and other potential environmental exposures.
Ms. Roy died approximately four months after her mesothelioma diagnosis. The lawsuit had been filed before her death and continued on behalf of her family.
The Case Against Johnson & Johnson
The plaintiffs alleged that Johnson & Johnson’s baby powder exposed Ms. Roy to asbestos and contributed to the development of her mesothelioma.
Johnson & Johnson disputed those allegations. The company maintained that its product was safe and challenged the evidence connecting talc exposure to mesothelioma. The defense also pointed to other potential environmental sources of exposure.
Both sides presented testimony addressing asbestos and talc, mesothelioma causation, pathology, epidemiology and other scientific issues.
Johnson & Johnson was the sole defendant at trial. Matthew C. Clark of Landry & Swarr represented the plaintiffs alongside Danny R. Kraft Jr. and Darren P. McDowell of Dean Omar Branham Shirley.
Jury Finds Johnson & Johnson at Fault
The case was tried before an Orleans Parish jury over three weeks.
A central question presented to the jury was whether Ms. Roy had significant exposure to asbestos in a product manufactured by Johnson & Johnson and whether that exposure was a cause of her mesothelioma.
The jury answered yes.
The jury also considered the responsibility of several other parties and ultimately assigned fault among six parties. Johnson & Johnson was allocated $2 million of the fault.
$10 Million Mesothelioma Verdict
The jury awarded a total of $10 million in damages:
- $3 million for physical pain and suffering
- $3 million for mental anguish
- $2 million for loss of enjoyment of life
- $1 million for the consortium claim of one daughter
- $1 million for the consortium claim of Ms. Roy’s other daughter
The jury’s total damages award was $10 million.
Following the verdict, the plaintiffs submitted a proposed final judgment reflecting Johnson & Johnson’s allocated share of responsibility. At the time the Louisiana Jury Verdict Reporter published its report, that proposed judgment had not yet been signed and entered by the court.
Representing Louisiana Families in Mesothelioma Cases
For families facing mesothelioma, determining how asbestos exposure occurred can mean looking back decades. Exposure may have happened at work, through a family member, from industrial or building materials, or through products alleged to have contained asbestos.
Landry & Swarr has focused on asbestos and mesothelioma litigation in Louisiana since 1999. We work with families to investigate potential sources of asbestos exposure, identify potentially responsible parties and help them understand their legal options.
If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with mesothelioma in Louisiana, call us today at (504) 299-1214 for a free consultation, or fill out our online form to get started.