Jury finds company's contaminated baby powder and inadequate warnings contributed to woman's asbestos-related cancer

National plaintiffs trial firm Dean Omar Branham Shirley, LLP, (DOBS) has secured a verdict in the amount of $1,914,990 accompanied by court ordered interest of $1,410,541 for a sum total of $3,325,631 against Johnson & Johnson on behalf of the family of Winifred “Missy” Haddad, a Massachusetts woman who developed mesothelioma after years of using the company's talcum-based baby powder.

Jurors in Suffolk County Superior Court found that Johnson & Johnson's baby powder was defectively designed and that the company failed to provide adequate warnings about the product's dangers. The jury also determined that the company's negligence was a substantial contributing factor in causing Ms. Haddad's mesothelioma.

Ms. Haddad was diagnosed with mesothelioma in 2020 at age 66 and died approximately six months later. Her family alleged that years of exposure to asbestos-contaminated Johnson & Johnson baby powder caused her cancer.

The jury awarded $500,000 for Ms. Haddad's pain and suffering; $750,000 to her husband, Hani Haddad, for loss of companionship, care and affection during her lifetime; and $664,990.10 in medical expenses.

During the trial, DOBS attorneys presented evidence concerning Johnson & Johnson's longstanding knowledge of asbestos contamination risks associated with talc and its failure to adequately warn consumers.

“We are incredibly grateful for the time and attention of the jury. Missy Haddad was a beloved wife, mother, nurse and writer who suffered terribly from a preventable cancer,” said firm partner Jessica Dean, who represented the family alongside attorney Aaron Chapman. “Juries across this country have found J&J failed to respect basic safety laws and J&J refuses to admit any wrong. We hope they will admit fault and do better.”

The verdict adds to a series of significant courtroom victories secured by DOBS in asbestos and mesothelioma litigation nationwide including the following:

• $1.56 billion for client Cherie Craft in Baltimore, Maryland
• $63 million on behalf of Michael Perry in South Carolina
• $45 million for the family of Theresa Garcia in Illinois
• $42.6 million for the family of Paul Lovell in Massachusetts
• $32 million awarded by a Los Angeles jury to the family of Maria Lozano
• $25 million for the family of Evan Plotkin in Connecticut
• $10 million in Louisiana on behalf of the family of Lynne Roy
• $8 million on behalf of Janice Paluzzi in Massachusetts

The case is Haddad v. Johnson & Johnson, No. 2081CV02285, in Suffolk County Superior Court, Massachusetts.

About Dean Omar Branham Shirley

Dean Omar Branham Shirley, LLP, is a nationally recognized trial firm that handles cases across the country for individuals who have suffered catastrophic injuries or have died as a result of the irresponsible conduct of others. For more information, please visit www.dobslegal.com.

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