From Investing.com: 2024-04-18 17:40:53

A Florida jury finds Johnson & Johnson’s baby powder did not cause ovarian cancer in a woman who used the product daily for over 50 years. J&J’s Worldwide Vice President of Litigation Erik Haas maintains that talc is safe and does not cause cancer, despite allegations from the Matthey family and their attorney Leigh O’Dell.

The Matthey family claims J&J knew for years that its talc products could be contaminated with asbestos, suppressing evidence linking talc to increased cancer risk. J&J denies any conspiracy, stating that scientific evidence does not support the family’s claims. The ongoing lawsuits against J&J involve more than 50,000 cases, primarily from women with ovarian cancer.

J&J’s attempts to reach a comprehensive settlement of the talc litigation through bankruptcy have been rejected twice. The company is considering a third bankruptcy filing to resolve the lawsuits. J&J will defend against talc claims in the meantime, as negotiations with plaintiffs continue. The bankruptcy strategy has put trials on hold, but is now moving forward after the latest case was dismissed.

Trials in talc cases have had mixed outcomes, including a $2.1 billion judgment awarded to 22 women with ovarian cancer. A $223.7 million verdict against J&J was recently overturned by a New Jersey appeals court due to unsound expert witness testimony, while a recent trial ended in a hung jury. J&J has settled some cases involving mesothelioma plaintiffs, but details of the settlements remain undisclosed.



Read more at Investing.com: J&J wins trial over Florida woman who claimed its baby powder caused her cancer By Reuters