Judge Failed to Properly Vet Experts Before Trial to the Detriment of the Defendants

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In Stephen Lanzo, III and Kendra Lanzo v. Cyprus, Johnson & Johnson et. al., DOCKET NO. A-5711-17, DOCKET NO. A-5717-17, New Jersey Appellate Division (April 28, 2021) Johnson & Johnson Consumer Inc. (JJCI) and Imerys Talc America, Inc. (Imerys) appealed from a judgment dated April 23, 2018, which awarded plaintiffs Stephen Lanzo III and his wife Kendra Lanzo $117 million in compensatory and punitive damages.

ZALMA OPINION

Turning a $117 verdict into nothing more than wallpaper was the result of the over-use of experts to render opinions for which they were not qualified; coupled with unfounded opening and closing statements by plaintiffs’ counsel, resulted in reversal. Whichever insurer or insurers insured the defendants can breathe sighs of relief until the new trial and they will be prepared to effectively defend the charge.