J&J Talc Baby Powder Ovarian Cancer Lawsuits

Sixty trial lawyers from across the country gathered this week in Pensacola, Florida for a Johnson & Johnson Trial Package Bootcamp — the makings of a massive, cross-country litigation machine.

Johnson & Johnson's baby powder has been used for generations by women and babies alike. However, looking at the growing body of scientific and legal evidence, it is clear that Johnson & Johnson's baby powder is a harmful product (sold prior to 2021).

Heavy hitter mass tort law firms Levin Papantonio Rafferty and Beasley Allen Law Firm brought 60 seasoned trial attorneys from across the U.S. in a Johnson & Johnson (J&J) Trial Package Bootcamp. The training is unleashing an army of lawyers trained and equipped to handle coordinated J&J talcum powder trials taking place simultaneously in multiple jurisdictions from coast to coast in 2024 and beyond. At least 18 talc-ovarian cancer trials are scheduled to be heard in state courts next year.

Among the esteemed attorneys participating in the training for talcum powder trials were Andrea Hirsch and Brooke Cohen of Cohen Hirsch, LP. "We are ready to bring justice for our clients and J&J should take notice," explained Hirsch. Cohen added, "We have the utmost compassion for victims, while it appears J&J is demonstrating indifference to the people we believe were injured from their products."

The talc litigation bootcamp precedes J&J's LTL Management subsidiary's anticipated third bankruptcy filing through which the pharmaceutical giant aims to further delay all current and future talc trials in the talcum powder products liability litigation. Currently, more than 50,000 plaintiffs in the multidistrict litigation (MDL) allege that J&J's talc products caused claimants to develop ovarian cancer.

LPR Attorney Mike Papantonio and Attorney Andy Birchfield, of Beasley Allen Law Firm, see J&J's bankruptcy strategy for what it is: a stall tactic that stops the wheels of justice in these talc-cancer lawsuits and promises to underpay plaintiffs.

"Johnson & Johnson has its strategy, and we have ours, too," Papantonio said. "We're building a massive law firm. A machine that will put 60 seasoned, trained trial lawyers, schooled on J&J's disastrous history, in courtrooms on the same day anywhere in America."

"It's a trial strategy that will spread J&J thin. It will also show J&J shareholders again how badly J&J management is squandering billions with billable time payments to slick defense firms," Papantonio added.

Now, there is a strong bench of lawyers with deep, comprehensive understanding of talc-ovarian cancer claims and the J&J MDL (MDL 2738, IN RE: Johnson & Johnson Talcum Powder Products Marketing, Sales Practices and Products Liability Litigation).

Ovarian cancer is the fifth leading cause of cancer death among women in the United States. One of the most well-known environmental risk factors for ovarian cancer is exposure to talcum powder. Talcum powder is a mineral that is often used in baby powder, as well as other personal care products such as body powder and deodorant.

Talcum powder is made up of tiny particles that can easily be inhaled or travel up the vagina into the ovaries. When talcum powder particles reach the ovaries, they can irritate the cells and cause inflammation. Over time, this inflammation can lead to cancer.

There is a solid body of scientific evidence that supports the link between talcum powder and ovarian cancer. For example, a 2018 study published in the journal Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention found that women who used talcum powder on a regular basis were 33% more likely to develop ovarian cancer than women who did not use talcum powder.

In addition to the scientific evidence, there is also a growing body of legal evidence that supports the link between talcum powder and ovarian cancer. In 2016, a jury awarded $72 million to the family of an Alabama woman who died of ovarian cancer after using Johnson & Johnson's baby powder for decades. In 2017, another jury awarded $4.69 billion to 22 women who developed ovarian cancer after using Johnson & Johnson's talcum powder products.

Women should avoid using talcum powder products, and Johnson & Johnson should be held accountable for the harm that its products have caused.

Cohen Hirsch update on Talc litigation February 2023

If you have used Johnson & Johnson's baby powder and have been diagnosed with ovarian cancer, you may be entitled to compensation. Contact our experienced law firm, Cohen Hirsch, to discuss your legal options.