Johnson & Johnson Reaches Settlement in Connecticut Talcum Powder Asbestos Cancer Lawsuit

Johnson & Johnson recently agreed to a tentative settlement in a Connecticut talcum powder asbestos cancer lawsuit brought by a plaintiff who claims he developed cancer as a result of decades of using talc-based products produced by the company. The settlement is a rare move on the part of the pharmaceutical and cosmetics giant, which has taken the position to aggressively fight asbestos cancer lawsuits alleging its talcum powder products were the cause of various forms of cancer, including mesothelioma.

According to the talcum powder asbestos cancer lawsuit, filed in Superior Court of Bridgeport, the plaintiff claims he developed mesothelioma cancer as a result of exposure to asbestos fibers in Johnson & Johnson’s Baby Powder. The mesothelioma cancer lawsuit also named other defendants that manufactured or sold products contaminated with asbestos which were contributing factors in his mesothelioma diagnosis.

Johnson & Johnson had previously attempted to have itself removed from the lawsuit and its part of the case remanded to a federal court after its long-time talc supplier Imerys Talc USA and co-defendant in the case filed for bankruptcy. That action, which has been a strategy of Johnson & Johnson to remove itself from state courts, was unsuccessful, and the company was forced to remain enjoined with the other defendants named in the lawsuit.

Currently, Johnson & Johnson faces an estimated 17,000 talcum powder asbestos cancer lawsuits which claim plaintiffs were exposed to deadly carcinogens in the company’s Baby Powder and Shower to Shower products. Some of those lawsuits have already gone to trial in state courts and juries in Missouri, California, and New Jersey have handed down over $5 billion in total compensation to dozens of plaintiffs in the cases.

Johnson & Johnson products like Baby Powder and Shower to Shower are manufactured with a mineral called talc, and although it does not contain asbestos itself, the two can often be found side by side in natural deposits. If talc sourcing companies and those processing the mineral do not take precautions to ensure the substance is not contaminated with asbestos, innocent consumers can be put at risk of developing serious health conditions when exposed to talc products..

Talcum powder cancer lawsuits against Johnson & Johnson claim that internal company documents show the company knew for decades that its talcum powder products tested positive for asbestos contamination but did not provide any warning to consumers. Many of those asbestos cancer lawsuits claim the victims developed mesothelioma, a rare and deadly form of cancer which commonly affects the thin linings of tissue surrounding vital organs such as the lungs and heart, and the abdominal cavity.

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If you or a loved one were diagnosed with mesothelioma, contact our office to speak to one of our experienced mesothelioma attorneys about your situation. Our office can help investigate your case and determine if compensation can be sought from negligent parties to help pay for your medical treatment to help you and your family live a more comfortable life.