Johnson & Johnson issues statement on Craft verdict, intends to appeal

Erik Haas, worldwide VP of litigation, Johnson & Johnson said: “We will immediately appeal this egregious and patently unconstitutional verdict that is the direct result of the gross errors made by the trial court that allowed plaintiff’s counsel to pervade the record with improper and prejudicial statements and assertions. The verdict is squarely at odds- in result and amount-with the vast majority of other talc cases wherein the Company has prevailed and expect the appellate court to reverse the verdict. These lawsuits are predicated on “junk science,” refuted by decades of studies, that demonstrate Johnson’s Baby Powder is safe, does not contain asbestos and does not cause cancer. The Company will continue to advocate for gold standard science in the U.S. judicial system. For far too long American juries have been permitted to review junk science supporting plaintiff lawyers in search of jackpot verdicts, instead of science from scientific agencies authorized by Congress to evaluate such matters.”