Attorneys representing mesothelioma and ovarian cancer victims in the United Kingdom have announced that they’ve begun legal action against U.S. cosmetic and pharmaceutical giant Johnson & Johnson. They accuse the company of negligence in having exposed their clients to asbestos in the company’s iconic baby powder and talcum powder products.
United Kingdom Mesothelioma and Ovarian Cancer Victims Seek Compensation Over Contaminated Talc
For the last few years, Johnson & Johnson has faced lawsuits filed by malignant mesothelioma and ovarian cancer victims who blame asbestos-contaminated talc in the company’s products for their illnesses. Juries have ordered the company to pay billions in compensation to victims, leading to the company pursuing a controversial bankruptcy strategy called the Texas Two-Step that courts have rejected twice. This latest announcement of legal action represents the first time the company will face litigation in the United Kingdom.
The United Kingdom law firm has indicated that they represent approximately 2,000 victims of “life-changing and life-limiting cancers” and have been contacted by thousands more who may yet be added to the case. Though it seems that the majority of the clients are women suffering from ovarian and gynecologic cancers, some may have been diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma. Some of the individuals represented by the law firm have died of their cancers.
Johnson & Johnson Denies Product’s Role in Mesothelioma and Ovarian Cancer
As they have done in response to U.S.-based litigation, Johnson & Johnson argues that their talc-based products have always been safe and did not play a role in victim’s mesothelioma and ovarian cancer diagnosis, but the U.K. attorneys say that the company knew “as early as the 1970s that asbestos in its talc products was dangerous but failed to warn consumers and carried on producing and selling the products in the UK until as recently as 2022.”
Johnson & Johnson has until the end of the year to respond to a letter sent on behalf of the mesothelioma and ovarian cancer victims, after which time legal papers are expected to be filed in the United Kingdom’s high court.
If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma or ovarian cancer after using talc-based products, the Patient Advocates at Mesothelioma.net can help. Contact us today at 1-800-692-8608 to learn more.
