Johnson & Johnson Back in Court Over Talc-Related Cancer Claims

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  • Yesterday, Johnson & Johnson JNJ faced the trial related to the lawsuit accusing its baby powder and other talc products of causing cancer. 
  • This is the first trial in almost two years related to the suit, with the company seeking to settle thousands of similar cases in bankruptcy court, Reuters reported.
  • Emory Hernandez, aged 24, claims to have developed deadly cancer, mesothelioma, due to exposure to JNJ's talc products when he was a baby.
  • JNJ has denied that its talc contains asbestos, which is related to mesothelioma, or causes cancer.
  • JNJ lawyer, Allison Brown, asserted that the company has thoroughly examined and ensured the absence of contaminants in its talc. 
  • She argued that Hernandez's mesothelioma form was rare and more likely related to a family history of heart disease and cancer.
  • Last month, the company's subsidiary LTL Management re-filed for bankruptcy to resolve all talc-based baby powder claims.
  • RelatedYet Again: Johnson & Johnson Subsidiary Seeks Stay On Thousands Of Cancer Lawsuits Associated With Talc Products
  • Amid the bankruptcy proceedings last month, the U.S. Judge halted around 38,000 lawsuits related to the same.
  • However, the U.S. Chief Bankruptcy Judge, Michael Kaplan, allowed Hernandez's trial due to his probable short life.
  • The claimants seek to have the latest bankruptcy filing dismissed.
  • J&J and LTL argued that the bankruptcy would deliver settlement payouts more fairly and equitably than a "lottery" offered by trial courts, where some litigants get significant awards and others nothing.
  • Price Action: JNJ shares are trading lower by 0.75% at $153.90 on the last check on Thursday.
  • Photo via Wikimedia Commons
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