A court in America has slapped a fine of $18.8 million on Johnson & Johnson. The compensation was to be paid to the person who charged the company that he developed cancer by using its baby powder. Thousands of similar complaints have been received against the company.
Emory Hernandez Valadez from California filed a suit last year against the company in California State Court seeking monetary compensation. The court adjudicated in favour of Valadez. He claimed that due to exposure to the baby powder, he developed mesothelioma, a deadly cancer in the tissue around his heart. The company claimed that the baby powder is sold in a special white bottle and does not contain asbestos. The powder cannot cause cancer. The officials said that the company is also making efforts to settle the case outside the court, to save on the expenses on the court procedure.
