talcum powder lawsuit Updates
Former MDL Judge Returns as Special Master in J&J Talc Litigation Amid Perceived Conflict Concerns
Judge Freda Wolfson, who presided over the Johnson & Johnson (J&J) talcum powder multidistrict litigation (MDL) for seven years before retiring in 2023, has returned to the litigation as a Special Master. Her role involves reviewing the scientific evidence she previously ruled admissible. Judge Wolfson is now affiliated with Lowenstein Sandler, a law firm representing J&J in other matters. Although she asserts she is "walled off" from J&J-related work at the firm and a formal conflict waiver is on record, her position raises perceived conflict concerns, given her firm's ties to the defendant. All involved parties have approved her appointment.
Lifetime Talcum Powder User Awarded $3M in Mesothelioma Lawsuit Against Johnson & Johnson
Jeannine Henderson, a lifelong user of Johnson & Johnson’s talcum powder, developed mesothelioma—a lethal cancer caused by asbestos exposure—in 2021. After investigating, she linked her illness to asbestos-contaminated talc in the product. Henderson sued Johnson & Johnson, and a Louisiana jury awarded her $3 million in damages, finding the company liable for failing to warn consumers about asbestos risks. The verdict underscores established scientific links between talc-based powders and asbestos-related diseases, reinforcing accountability in ongoing nationwide litigation against J&J.
New Talc-Mesothelioma Trial Underway in Boston Following $8 Million Plaintiff Verdict
A new talc trial is proceeding in Boston, weeks after a jury awarded $8 million to a plaintiff alleging Johnson & Johnson’s baby powder caused their mesothelioma. The current plaintiff similarly claims decades of product use led to their illness and accuses J&J of concealing known asbestos contamination from regulators and consumers. Johnson & Johnson denies liability, asserting the disease stems from a rare genetic mutation. Recent verdicts, including the prior award of $5 million for past pain and $3 million for future damages, demonstrate jury rejection of this defense.
Jury Awards $417 Million to Plaintiff in Johnson & Johnson Talc-Ovarian Cancer Lawsuit
Eva Echeverria was awarded $417 million by a jury after developing ovarian cancer linked to nearly 60 years of using Johnson & Johnson’s talcum powder. Hospitalized during the trial, Ms. Echeverria filed suit upon discovering the connection between her illness and the product—previously perceived as harmless. The verdict underscores allegations that Johnson & Johnson failed to warn consumers about ovarian cancer risks associated with talc-based powders. Ms. Echeverria pursued litigation partly to protect other women from similar harm. This case contributes to the broader multidistrict litigation (MDL) against the company regarding talc safety disclosures and health impacts.
About the Talcum Powder Lawsuit
The Talcum Powder Lawsuit began in 2009 when a woman claimed she developed ovarian cancer from using Johnson and Johnson's talcum powder. One lawsuit, in particular, was filed by 22 women in 2016, and two products were named: Shower to Shower and Johnson’s Baby Powder.
Thousands of talcum powder lawsuits have been filed to date, alleging that J&J was aware of harmful substances, such as asbestos fibers and other harmful carcinogens, in their products. According to the talcum powder lawsuits, the company continued making and marketing this dangerous product even though they knew it to be harmful.
It was further claimed that J&J hid these issues from government agencies, as well as the public. In June 2020 in the Missouri Court of Appeals Eastern District, a trial was held and a jury found Johnson and Johnson (J&J) and Johnson and Johnson Consumer Companies Inc. (JJCI) responsible for all claims and awarded 22 plaintiffs $500 million in actual damages against JJCI and $125 million in actual damages against J&J. The jury also called for $4.14 billion in punitive damages to punish J&J for knowing and hiding the dangers of their product. This amount was reduced to $900 million against JJCI and about $716 million against J&J.
Thousands of people have come forward claiming they have developed ovarian cancer from using talcum powder products. Product liability lawsuits attack companies at each stage of the product cycle, such as distributors, manufacturers, and suppliers. Many plaintiffs have even gone after big store chains such as Walmart, Target, and Walgreens to seek compensation for their suffering. The FDA took samples of J&J’s talcum-based baby powder and discovered asbestos. This prompted J&J to remove their product from the shelves. Further investigations showed that the same powders were previously proven to have asbestos and that the company had known about the issues since 1971.
J&J Has Switched from Talcum Powder to Cornstarch
In a major shift, Johnson & Johnson swapped talcum for cornstarch in their baby powder. While they claim talcum is safe, decades of talcum powder lawsuits alleging health risks, particularly ovarian cancer, and shifting consumer preferences, likely played a significant role. Cornstarch-based powder offers an alternative that, while not without its own potential concerns, addresses public concerns and keeps them competitive in the market.
How to Pre-Qualify for the Talcum Powder Lawsuit
You may be eligible to join the talcum powder lawsuit against Johnson and Johnson, if you have used talcum powder and developed the following cancer(s):
- Ovarian Cancer
- Primary Peritoneal Cancer
- Mesothelioma cancer
Please Note: You can also submit a lawsuit on behalf of a loved one who has suffered from cancer due to talcum powder usage.
Claimants must be able to provide their diagnosis to pre-qualify. They can use their medical diagnosis and other healthcare documents to prove their case. It’s important to note that many cancers and illnesses take years to be discovered, and they should speak with a medical professional if they have concerns after using talcum powder. A medical diagnosis is the only way to be sure.
How Much Compensation Should You Expect?
Determining a typical settlement amount in the Johnson & Johnson talcum powder lawsuit is complex due to the unique nature of each case. Factors such as the severity of the illness, the strength of the evidence, jury decisions, and the skill of the lawyers involved all influence the settlement amount.
Settlements can vary widely, with some being as low as $100,000 and others reaching into the millions. For example, in 2020, there were settlements of $100 million for 1,000 lawsuits and a significant $2.12 billion for 22 women. There's been a proposal for a massive $8.9 billion global settlement covering nearly 40,000 cases, highlighting the scale of these cases. However, average figures can be misleading. We encourage you to seek legal advice to determine your eligibility and to understand what damages you may be able to potentially receive. All cases are unique.
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