SUMMARY
- New Jersey appellate court nullifies $223.8M judgment against J&J.
- Court questions the credibility of scientific testimonies linking talc products to cancer.
- J&J faces a staggering 38,000 lawsuits over talc, with mixed outcomes in court.
In a recent twist, a New Jersey appellate court scrapped a whopping $223.8 million judgment against pharmaceutical giant Johnson & Johnson. The case centered around four individuals who believed that their cancer was a direct result of asbestos exposure from J&J's talc powder products.
The main contention for this reversal was the trial court's decision to accept certain scientific testimonies without thoroughly vetting their credibility. Erik Haas, the Vice President of Litigation for J&J Worldwide, didn't mince his words, labeling the testimonies as 'junk science' and reiterating the company's stance that their talc products are asbestos-free.
Meanwhile, there's radio silence from the plaintiffs' side, with their lawyer yet to make a statement. In the initial trial, the jury slapped J&J with a bill of $787.2 million, consisting of both compensatory and punitive damages. However, due to state restrictions, this sum was dialed down to $186.5 million.
The appellate court, while overturning the verdict, indicated that the trial court failed in its duty to ensure that the plaintiff's scientific testimonies were rooted in solid science. This isn't the only legal tussle for J&J over talc. With over 38,000 lawsuits under its belt, the company has faced both triumphs and setbacks. One notable victory was the recent overturn of a $117 million judgment.
As the legal saga continues, J&J is transitioning away from talc-based products, opting for cornstarch alternatives. Their decision is influenced by the avalanche of lawsuits and what they term as "misinformation" surrounding the safety of talc products.
WOM Money Picks
Be a part of the winning team | 81% Success Rate.