J&J Talc Suit Dismissals: Plaintiffs Lack Causation Thread For Proof Quilt

Following two plaintiff victories and hefty damages awards in a Missouri circuit court earlier this year, J&J succeeded last week in having a pair of talc cancer cases dismissed in New Jersey due to plaintiffs’ lack of compelling causation evidence. With more than 1,000 talc suits against J&J still pending, the relative weight of expert testimonies – and venue – likely will continue to be significant factors in how they play out.

Two lawsuits from consumers alleging that long-term feminine-hygiene use of Johnson & Johnson’s talc-containing powder products caused their ovarian cancer were dismissed Sept. 2 by a New Jersey judge, who agreed with J&J that the plaintiffs’ expert witnesses failed to present a convincing causation theory.

The Johnson’s Baby Powder marketer has maintained doggedly that 30 years of scientific research supports the safety of cosmetic talc (Also see "Jury Still Out On

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