August 2024: Talcum Powder Class Action Lawsuit Recent News and Litigation Updates
August 19, 2024:
- J&J Reportedly Secures Sufficient Support for $6.5 Billion Talc Settlement:
According to a Bloomberg report, Johnson & Johnson has surpassed the 75% threshold of claimant support
required for its proposed $6.5 billion settlement to resolve tens of thousands of lawsuits alleging its talc
products caused cancer. The company is expected to pursue another bankruptcy bid in the near future.
August 16, 2024:
- $63 Million Awarded in South Carolina Talcum Powder Lawsuits:
Carolina jury awarded over $63 million in two separate lawsuits related to Johnson & Johnson's talc-based
baby powder. The primary plaintiff, who developed terminal lung cancer (mesothelioma) from inhaling asbestos
allegedly present in the powder, was awarded over $23 million in economic and other damages, plus $30
million in punitive damages. His spouse received over $9.6 million for loss of consortium in a separate
lawsuit. The verdict also found American International Industries (AII) negligent and liable for punitive
damages.
August 12, 2024:
- Talc Claimants Vote to Approve Settlement Plan:
While official results are pending, early indications suggest that more than the required 75% of
claimants voted in favor of the latest talc settlement plan at the end of July.
July 25, 2024:
- J&J's Talc Bankruptcy Rejected Again:
A U.S. appeals court upheld the dismissal of Johnson & Johnson's second attempt to resolve talcum powder
lawsuits through a shell company's bankruptcy. The court ruled that the subsidiary, LTL Management, was not
in "financial distress," rendering its bankruptcy filing invalid. J&J plans to appeal to the Supreme Court
while simultaneously pursuing a revised strategy for settling the talc lawsuits.
July 25, 2024:
- J&J Talc Settlement Voting Deadline:
Claimants have until 4:00 p.m. Central Time tomorrow to vote on whether to accept or reject the proposed
$6.475 billion settlement plan for ovarian cancer claims linked to Johnson & Johnson's talc products. Voting
information is available in the solicitation package sent to claimants and their attorneys. If approved by
at least 75% of voters, the plan will proceed with a bankruptcy filing under the case name "In re: Red River
Talc LLC" in bankruptcy court, followed by a confirmation hearing and potential objection deadlines.
July 12, 2024:
- J&J Moves to Dismiss Plaintiffs' Bankruptcy Challenge Lawsuit:
Johnson & Johnson files a motion to dismiss a lawsuit accusing it of fraudulently transferring money to
establish liability-limiting bankruptcies for a shell company. The lawsuit, filed by a group of plaintiffs'
firms in May, claims that J&J's repeated use of the bankruptcy system to address alleged cancer liability is
an abuse of process. J&J argues that the plaintiffs lack standing and fail to allege harm.
July 9, 2024:
- World Health Organization Says Talc in Johnson's Baby Powder Likely Increases Cancer Risk:
The World Health Organization (WHO) determines that talc in Johnson's Baby Powder probably increases the
risk of ovarian cancer. The findings are based on studies in humans and animals, with consistent evidence of
increased ovarian cancer incidence among women using talc-based body powder in the genital area.
July 1, 2024:
- Judge Dismisses J&J Lawsuit Against Scientist:
A federal judge dismisses a lawsuit filed by Johnson & Johnson against a scientist who published research
linking talcum powder to cancer. The court ruled that the research was not fraudulent or libelous and is
protected under free speech rights.
July 1, 2024:
- 57,624 Pending Talcum Powder Claims Against J&J:
As of July 2024, Johnson & Johnson faces 57,624 pending claims in a class action lawsuit over its talcum
powder products.
June 28, 2024:
- Cancer Victims' Legal Challenge to J&J Bankruptcy Rejected:
A federal judge dismisses a lawsuit filed by cancer victims accusing Johnson & Johnson (J&J) of using
bankruptcy to avoid liability for allegedly asbestos-contaminated talc-based baby powder. The judge deemed
any harm to the victims as "strictly hypothetical" and lacked jurisdiction to resolve a dispute over "events
that have not, and may never, occur."
June 18, 2024:
- Class Action Demands Medical Monitoring for Women Exposed to Allegedly Cancerous Talc Powder:
A new class action lawsuit is filed against J&J, not only seeking damages for those allegedly harmed by its
talc-based baby powder but also demanding medical monitoring for long-term users who haven't yet been
diagnosed with cancer. The lawsuit alleges that J&J knew of potential dangers as early as the 1970s but
continued to market and sell the powder despite it being “defective, dangerous to human health, unfit and
unsuitable to be advertised, marketed, and sold in the United States, and lacked proper warnings associated
with their use.”
June 10, 2024:
- J&J Settles with States Over Talcum Powder Marketing:
Johnson & Johnson has reached a $700 million settlement with 43 states and the District of Columbia,
agreeing to cease the marketing and manufacturing of talc-based baby powder. This move signals J&J's effort
to resolve ongoing litigation related to its talcum powder products.
June 6, 2024:
- J&J Talcum Powder MDL Grows:
The number of pending cases in the J&J talcum powder multidistrict litigation (MDL) has risen to 57,365,
indicating a significant increase in new lawsuits.
June 4, 2024:
- Oregon Jury Awards $260 Million in Talc Case:
An Oregon jury ordered Johnson & Johnson to pay $260 million to a woman who developed mesothelioma, a cancer
linked to asbestos exposure, allegedly from using the company's baby powder.
May 30, 2024:
- J&J Accused of Bankruptcy Scheme:
A class action lawsuit filed by over 50,000 cancer victims accuses Johnson & Johnson of manipulating the
bankruptcy system to avoid talcum powder lawsuits. The plaintiffs allege fraudulent financial maneuvers and
a "bait-and-switch" settlement tactic.
May 1, 2024:
- $6.5 Billion Global Settlement Proposed:
J&J announced a $6.5 billion global settlement to resolve the majority of talcum powder ovarian cancer
claims. The deal involves a third bankruptcy filing by a J&J subsidiary and is subject to approval by
plaintiffs on July 26, 2024.
2024 Overview:
April 2024:
- A Chicago jury ordered J&J and its spinoff Kenvue to pay $45 million to the family of a woman who died
from mesothelioma allegedly linked to asbestos-contaminated talc.
- A Florida jury ruled in favor of J&J, finding that its baby powder was not responsible for a woman's
ovarian cancer.
- A New Jersey judge ruled that Johnson & Johnson can challenge the scientific evidence linking talcum
powder to cancer risk in over 53,000 lawsuits. This decision could significantly impact the future of
these cases, as J&J aims to discredit the "junk science" it claims supports the plaintiffs' claims. J&J
has until July 23 to update its arguments about the scientific evidence in the case. From there, it will
be up to Judge Shipp to decide whether he will allow the expert testimony to be presented in the
lawsuits going forward.
January 2024:
- J&J investors filed a class action lawsuit alleging the company made misleading statements about the
safety of its talc products.