After years of delays, tens of thousands of ovarian cancer victims and their families will have a first chance at justice on December 3rd, when the first federal bellwether trial accusing Johnson & Johnson’s talcum powder of negligence will be heard in the District of New Jersey. Mesothelioma victims who accuse the company of causing their illness will have their cases heard separately at some point in the future.
Federal Judge Rules that First Trial Will Feature Single Plaintiff with Ovarian Cancer
Johnson & Johnson’s Baby Powder and other talcum powder products have been accused of causing both malignant mesothelioma and ovarian cancer, with ovarian cancer victims representing the vast majority of the 60,000+ personal injury claims pending against the company. The multidistrict litigation representing that larger group will be heard first and is scheduled for December 3, 2024.
Though the ovarian cancer victims’ attorneys had asked that the bellwether trial positioned two consolidated cases as the plaintiff against Johnson & Johnson, arguing that it is a more efficient representation of victims, the federal judge who is overseeing the case rejected that proposal. U.S. District Judge Michael Shipp agreed with Johnson & Johnson that the original ruling on the question, which U.S. District Chief Judge Freda Wolfson made entered before she retired, should stand.
Ovarian Cancer Plaintiff Against Johnson & Johnson Will Be Selected by September 24th
With the possibility of a consolidated plaintiff’s case rejected, the attorneys representing the ovarian cancer victims’ plaintiffs’ steering committee are choosing between two different victims’ cases: both Carter Judkins of Dover, New Hampshire, and Pasqualina Rausa of Ponte Vedra, Florida, used Johnson & Johnson’s baby powder for more than 45 years and were diagnosed with epithelial ovarian cancer, serous subtype. Both have undergone surgery and similar treatment protocols.
If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with ovarian cancer or malignant mesothelioma following the use of Johnson & Johnson’s talcum powder or any other talc product, the Patient Advocates at Mesothelioma.net can help. Contact us today to learn more at 1-800-692-8608.
