Experts Can Testify About Suspected J&J Talc Products’ Cancer Link

Core Viewpoint - A court-appointed special master has recommended that women suing Johnson & Johnson (J&J) over claims that the company's talc products caused ovarian cancer be allowed to present expert testimony supporting that link, moving the litigation closer to trial [1][2]. Group 1: Litigation Overview - The ongoing litigation includes over 67,500 lawsuits in federal court in New Jersey, with the first trial potentially occurring later this year [2]. - U.S. District Judge Michael Shipp is overseeing the litigation and has brought in retired Judge Freda Wolfson to evaluate expert testimony [3]. - Wolfson's 658-page decision allows plaintiffs' experts to testify about a causal link between J&J talc products and cancer, which J&J disputes [4]. Group 2: Expert Testimony - Wolfson found that the plaintiffs' experts used reliable methodologies, demonstrating a statistically significant association between genital talc powder use and ovarian cancer [5]. - Testimony from J&J's experts will also be allowed to counter the plaintiffs' claims [5]. - Wolfson's role was to assess the reliability of the experts' methods rather than their conclusions [6]. Group 3: Company Response and Historical Context - J&J's Vice President of Litigation criticized Wolfson's ruling as erroneous and stated the company would appeal [7]. - The company has faced significant legal challenges, including attempts to resolve litigation through bankruptcy, which were rejected by federal courts [13]. - J&J has a mixed record in state courts, with some verdicts as high as $4.69 billion awarded to plaintiffs [15]. Group 4: Additional Legal Challenges - J&J has also faced cases alleging its talc products caused mesothelioma, with substantial verdicts in recent months, including over $1.5 billion in Baltimore [16]. - The company stopped selling talc-based baby powder in the U.S. in 2020, switching to a cornstarch product [9].