Jurisdiction: Minnesota State Court
The plaintiff, Daniel J. Heyer, and his wife, sued personal care product manufacturers Gold Bond Co. LLC, Johnson & Johnson, Merck & Co., Inc., Perrigo Company, and other talc product defendants, alleging that Heyer developed mesothelioma after being exposed to alleged talc-containing body and foot powders and cosmetic products.
Heyer and his wife additionally alleged exposure to asbestos from Heyer’s father’s work clothes in connection to his employment with Northern States Power Company and through Heyer’s own employment as a Minnesota correctional officer.
Of note, Heyer alleged that the defendant manufacturers “sold, supplied, and distributed or marketed” talc-containing products without adequate warnings. He additionally alleged the defendants were aware that exposure to talc from their products could cause serious adverse health effects for consumers.
The matter proceeded to trial on May 15, 2026, where a jury held the defendants liable, despite Heyer’s additional exposures, for manufacturing products in a “defective and unreasonably dangerous condition,” a failure to provide adequate warnings, and for Heyer’s injury, generally. The jury apportioned fault amongst defendants Gold Bond, Vi-Job, Perrigo, Merck, and Johnson & Johnson, and awarded Heyer and his wife a $10.2 million total settlement for medical expenses, future economic and non-economic loss, and pain and suffering.