What Does J&J Ending Talc Sales Mean for Those With Pending Lawsuits?
Litigation Continues Amid a Mixed Legal Record
Johnson & Johnson (J&J) recently made a huge concession in the fight against its talc-based powders. As of May 19, 2020, the company is discontinuing sales of Johnson & Johnson talc-based baby powder. While J&J claims the decision is purely financial, plaintiffs across the United States are celebrating.
One successful plaintiff, who was diagnosed with ovarian cancer after using J&J baby powder for many years, stated:
“It means no more little girls are going to go through what we went through…This stops now. That monster is off the shelves.”
The woman who made this statement was part of a 22-woman case against J&J that resulted in a $4.7 billion payout in 2018. Nevertheless, plaintiffs who have suffered from ovarian cancer and mesothelioma still have thousands of lawsuits pending against the company.
As the cases move forward, J&J says “it ‘will continue to vigorously defend the product’ in court.”
Does Talc Cause Cancer?
Talcum powder, or talc, is the main ingredient in Johnson & Johnson baby powder and Shower to Shower body powder. Since 2014, these products have been linked to trace amounts of the known human carcinogen, asbestos, as well as ovarian cancer and mesothelioma. According to lawsuits, J&J knew about the risks associated with its products but failed to warn consumers. In October 2019, the company recalled 33,000 bottles of baby powder after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) found evidence of chrysotile asbestos in a sample it ordered online. Now, J&J is removing its talc-based products from the market altogether.
Still, Johnson & Johnson has not admitted their products cause cancer. With lawsuits proceeding across the United States, plaintiffs could win billions of dollars.
This means approximately 19,400 clients and their legal teams should be preparing for the possibility of large settlements, verdicts, and contingency fees.
How to Make the Most of Your Lawsuit
At Structures, we help plaintiffs and their attorneys make the most out of their payouts. Before you fight for your rights in settlement negotiations or a courtroom, you should plan for a win.
Our Fee Structure Plus® FSP program is designed to help attorneys take advantage of their contingency fees with income tax deferral, diversification of funds, market-related returns, and periodic payments that meet their individual needs.
No matter what financial changes you are facing after a successful talc lawsuit, our team can help you find the solution that works for you.
Call us at (844) 382-8358 or contact us online to learn more and get started today.