Court Clears Expert Testimonies in J&J Talc Cancer Lawsuits

A special master has recommended allowing expert testimonies that link Johnson & Johnson’s talc products to ovarian cancer in ongoing lawsuits. This important decision could advance more than 67,500 lawsuits towards a federal court trial later this year.

The special master's recommendation centers on the reliability of expert methodologies, permitting testimonies that claim a statistical association between talc use and cancer. J&J disputes this link and plans to appeal, arguing that the evaluation did not adhere to rigorous scientific standards.

While the expert testimonies are pivotal for the plaintiffs, J&J continues to defend the safety of its products. Despite stopping the sale of talc-based baby powder in 2020, J&J faces ongoing litigation, including accusations of asbestos contamination, which have resulted in substantial court verdicts against the company.