In a move reminiscent of so many other companies responsible for mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases, Imerys Talc America and two of their associated companies have filed for bankruptcy protection against the thousands of lawsuits currently filed against it. Imerys, the company that provided talc to Johnson & Johnson for use in their baby powder, has been named in almost 15,000 lawsuits that accuse the company’s product of being contaminated with asbestos and causing ovarian cancer and mesothelioma. The company has already stood trial in multiple lawsuits, settling some and being ordered to pay millions of dollars to victims in others.
Imerys Named in Every Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder Lawsuit
Almost all of the mesothelioma and ovarian cancer lawsuits that Imerys Talc has been named in have also named Johnson & Johnson, though not all. The consumer giant has been named in nearly 12,000 lawsuits, and so far that company has pushed back against all claims, refusing to settle and arguing that the science is on their side and that there is no asbestos in their products. But Imerys Talc America, as well as its related companies Imerys Talc Vermont and Imerys Talc Canada, have settled some of the suits and lost others, and according to Imerys Talc America president Gorgio La Motta, filing for bankruptcy protection is the “best course of action to address our historic talc-related liabilities and position … for continued growth.” Though he reiterated the position set out by Johnson & Johnson regarding scientific studies that support the company, he added that bankruptcy protection will help them address the “millions of dollars in projected legal costs” that the current backlog of lawsuits represent.
Johnson & Johnson Denying Indemnifying Imerys
At issue in all of the mesothelioma and ovarian cancer lawsuits is the claim that the talc provided by Imerys to Johnson & Johnson is contaminated with asbestos. The two minerals are frequently found in close proximity to one another. As the sole supplier of Johnson & Johnson’s cosmetic talc products, the company has indicated that they did have indemnification agreements in place that should protect them, but the consumer giant has disputed this, leaving Imerys with a legal burden that has overwhelmed the much smaller company. The company is hoping to emerge from bankruptcy in early 2020 better prepared to address the claims against it.
Whether your mesothelioma was caused by exposure to talc products or asbestos from any other source, you need help. Contact the Patient Advocates at Mesothelioma.net today at 1-800-692-8608 to learn more
