Big Pharma giant insists it has decades of scientific testing
US pharmaceutical giant Johnson & Johnson has been cleared by a California jury of the liability in a case where a woman claimed the company’s products caused her cancer.
Following the seven-week long trial, the jury Humboldt County Superior Court rejected the cancer victim’s claims that her mesothelioma (a tissue cancer intimately linked to asbestos exposure) was linked to the company’s talc products, including Johnson’s Baby Powder.
The Big Pharma giant denied the allegations insisting it has decades of scientific testing and regulatory approvals proving its talc was safe and asbestos-free.
The company stated it was happy with the juries verdict.
“While we deeply sympathize with anyone suffering from any form of cancer, the science and facts show that her use of our talcum-based products did not cause her disease,” the company said.
The company is battling some 11,700 US lawsuits, including its signature baby powder, according to an October regulatory filing.
According to RT: Recent filings in the New Jersey federal court, where most of the cases are consolidated, showed that more than 9,700 of those cases involve claims over ovarian cancer.
[RELATED] Johnson & Johnson Ordered to Pay Billions to 22 Women for Giving Them Cancer
The rest of the plaintiffs allege asbestos in the company’s product prompted them to develop mesothelioma.
They also allege that J&J knew of asbestos fibers in its cosmetic talc and hidden risks connected with the products.
J&J has been fighting talc cancer lawsuits for several years. So far, it has been cleared of liability in three mesothelioma cases while having lost two cases in New Jersey and California, with juries awarding a total of $142 million in damages.
In July, a Missouri jury awarded $4.7 billion in total damages to 22 women and their families after they claimed asbestos in J&J’s talcum powder contributed to their ovarian cancer.
The company still repudiates any relationship between cancer and its talc-based products.