Firm partner Trey Branham of Dean Omar Branham Shirley provided comments to Law 360 after Minnesota State Judge Laura Nelson upheld a $65.5 million jury verdict against Johnson & Johnson, rejecting the company’s motion for judgment regarding claims that asbestos-contaminated talc caused a woman’s peritoneal mesothelioma. The court found that evidence supported the claim that long-term use of J&J Baby Powder substantially contributed to the diagnosis, upholding the first talc-related verdict in Minnesota history. 

“We appreciate the court’s thorough review of the evidence. The order confirms what the jury found after hearing weeks of testimony: the evidence supports the verdict,” said Mr. Branham in a statement. “We look forward to defending that decision on appeal.” 

Read the full story in Law360 here.