Although it has long denied liability for exposing users to dangerous asbestos, the consumer products giant, Johnson & Johnson, just agreed to a bulk settlement of its product liability lawsuits. These were filed over its talcum powder products. Specifically, in October 2020, the company agreed to pay $100 million to a group of 1,000 claimants who alleged injuries following their use of J&J’s products.
At Showard Law Firm, we represent individuals who have been exposed to dangerous products in the marketplace produced by companies like Johnson & Johnson.
What led up to the talc lawsuit settlement?
For decades, medical practitioners had suspected that asbestos and other contaminants in talcum powder contributed to ovarian cancer and mesothelioma. In a 2009 lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson, a doctor reported finding talc in ovarian tissue that had been removed from a cancer patient. This individual had used the company’s talc products for more than 30 years. An expert in that lawsuit suggested it was causing more than 2,200 new cases of ovarian cancer every year.
In 2014, a Los Angeles jury awarded an injured victim $417 million because of ovarian cancer caused by Johnson & Johnson’s talcum powder. In 2018, a St. Louis jury awarded nearly $4.7 billion to a group of 22 plaintiffs who were harmed by talc.
Johnson & Johnson has appealed these verdicts and continues to challenge allegations from patients who have contracted mesothelioma or ovarian cancer—after using their products such as Shower to Shower and Baby Powder. It is now facing more than 20,000 lawsuits, with new cases being filed every day. The recent talc lawsuit settlement may well reflect a new strategy that the company has adopted to reduce the growing caseload.
What can you do if you are a regular user of Johnson & Johnson talcum products?
Early diagnosis will provide the best opportunity to overcome a cancer diagnosis. If you have used talcum powder from Johnson & Johnson or any other company for an extended amount of time, talk to your physician. They can advise you about getting the proper screening for ovarian cancer, mesothelioma, and other illnesses connected to asbestos or dust exposure.
After you confer with your doctor, contact a knowledgeable and experienced product liability lawyer. They can help determine whether you have a right to sue for damages and recover compensation for your medical expenses and other losses.
Call us for a free consultation
If you were a regular user of one of Johnson & Johnson’s talcum powder products and you have been diagnosed with ovarian cancer or mesothelioma, please call us at Showard Law Firm. We can provide more information about the talc lawsuit settlement and your options for filing a lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson.
