Year: 2026

Pharmaceutical and cosmetics giant Johnson & Johnson recently filed paperwork to have a Delaware federal judge consolidate thousands of talcum powder asbestos cancer lawsuits against one-time co-defendant Imerys Talc USA. If the judge were to grant the request, thousands of asbestos cancer lawsuits against Johnson & Johnson would be removed from state courts across the country where plaintiffs have accused Johnson & Johnson and its talc supplier Imerys Talc USA of knowingly producing and marketing a carcinogenic product without any warning to consumers.

Though the use of asbestos was largely halted in the 1980s, its widespread use for much of the twentieth century means it is not uncommon for people to come across asbestos in their homes or other buildings today. If this happens, it does not mean panic should set in, but there are precautions that should be exercised. By treating asbestos with caution, injury can be avoided. Asbestos Abatement: Repair Versus Removal Asbestos was extensively used in insulation and other products that required heat resistance. Asbestos becomes dangerous when it is damaged or removed, which releases microscopic fibers into the air.

A New York state Supreme Court judge recently issued an important ruling allowing a mesothelioma cancer lawsuit against cigarette manufacturer R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company and its supplier Hollingsworth & Vose. The mesothelioma cancer lawsuit claims that the defendants knew or should have known the asbestos contained in their cigarette filters were dangerous and could cause serious health problems for consumers.

Asbestos is a dangerous substance that can cause serious illnesses. Among the common asbestos-related illnesses are mesothelioma, asbestosis, and lung cancer. Mesothelioma is a particularly aggressive form of cancer that develops in the mesothelium, which is the tissue that forms the layer lining internal organs. After someone is exposed to asbestos, it can take decades for mesothelioma symptoms to become apparent. Unfortunately, this means most people learn about their condition when the disease progresses.

For purposes of this article, the late mesothelioma victim in this case will be referred to as M.M. In a recent groundbreaking ruling, Johnson & Johnson (J&J) was ordered to pay almost one billion dollars to the family of M.M., a woman who died from malignant mesothelioma at the age of 88. M.M., the wife of a pastor, reportedly used the giant pharmaceutical’s famous baby powder for decades and believed that the asbestos in the product led to her fatal illness. The verdict awarded in this case is believed to be the largest ever awarded against J&J in a mesothelioma-related talc case. M.M.

The United States Supreme Court is set the hear a slate of upcoming cases including one particular pair of lawsuits that could have an impact on the future of asbestos cancer litigation across the country. Although not directly hearing asbestos mesothelioma claims, the Supreme Court will take up claims centered around which types of cases out-of-state courts may take under consideration when those claims involve multiple defendants. One claim, Bristol-Myers-Squibb Co. v. Super. Ct. of Cal.