The last decade has seen tens of thousands of U.S. mesothelioma and ovarian cancer victims file negligence and product liability claims against Johnson & Johnson and other talc powder companies, accusing them of knowingly selling baby powder contaminated with the asbestos that caused their illness. Now, a similar legal case against Johnson & Johnson has been filed in London’s High Court by 7,111 claimants, more than doubling from 3,000 original claimants and making it the largest product liability case in United Kingdom history.
As UK Baby Powder Case Proceeds, Mesothelioma Victims are Dying Every Three Days
The claimants in the case allege that J&J was aware as early as the 1960s that its talcum powder was contaminated with asbestos, a mineral that’s been linked to both the rare form of cancer known as mesothelioma and ovarian cancer. All the claimants blame their illnesses on asbestos exposure from using baby powder throughout their lives, with many first exposed as babies, when their mothers dusted them with the product.
As has been true in mesothelioma and ovarian cancer claims filed in the United States, J&J denies the allegations, as well as any claims that it knowingly sold baby powder contaminated with asbestos. The High Court has scheduled a hearing to focus on how the litigation will proceed: though there are disagreements over procedural requirements, both the defendant and claimants have agreed to group litigation.
The claimants’ representative asserts that one mesothelioma or ovarian cancer claimant is dying from their cancer every three days and asked for the case to proceed more quickly. They say that some information J&J is calling for serves no clear benefit and is “tantamount to a full witness statement from each claimant.” They say its intention is “to be onerous to the point of oppression” and ultimately stifle the mesothelioma litigation. The company’s lawyers argue the information requested on each claimant is “reasonable and fair.”
Mesothelioma and Ovarian Cancer Victims Point to Powder Being Marketed as Pure and Safe
The mesothelioma and ovarian cancer victims say that J&J never issued warnings about the product’s risks and instead marketed it as a symbol of purity and safety. For its part, J&J says that its baby powder “was compliant with any required regulatory standards, did not contain asbestos, and does not cause cancer.” The company stopped selling talc-based baby powder in the UK in 2023.
If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, ovarian cancer, or another asbestos-related disease, the Patient Advocates at Mesothelioma.net are here to help. Contact us today at 1-800-692-8608 to learn more.
