You May be Entitled to Significant Compensation Certified asbestos free talc. Johnson & Johnson powders were proven to contain asbestos (a cancer causing agent) and the company failed to notify users of the cancer risk. $2 BILLION has already been awarded to claims. Free To File! No Fees Unless A Settlement Is Awarded!
J&J’s proposed settlement for talc would make payments of $440 million US state AGs. Certified Asbestos Free Talc .
Johnson & Johnson (JNJ.N) has put aside $400 million to settle U.S. state consumer protection actions as part of a broad $8.9 billion plan to settle allegations that its Baby Powder and other talc product causes cancer. Certified asbestos free talc.
J&J subsidiaries LTL Management filed a bankruptcy plan in New Jersey late on Monday that describes how the company intends to pay different types of cancer victims in bankruptcy settlement. Certified asbestos free talc. J&J has said that its Talc products are safe, and will not cause cancer. It is attempting for a second time to resolve more than 38,000 lawsuits filed in bankruptcy, as well as prevent new lawsuits from arising in the near future.
LTL’s bankruptcy plan would pay $400 million to an additional trust to settle lawsuits filed from state attorney generals claiming that J&J had violated the state’s unfair commercial practices as well as consumer protection laws by misleading consumers about the dangers of its talc products.
A number of states had already initiated consumer protection cases against J&J prior to the first bankruptcy filing stopped these investigations from moving forward in 2021. Certified asbestos free talc. New Mexico and Mississippi had already initiated actions against Johnson & Johnson before then as well as the states of Arizona, Maryland, North Carolina, Texas and Washington had issued civil investigative requests or subpoenas in LTL’s court filings.
New Mexico and Mississippi have taken steps to halt the bankruptcy of LTL as well as cancer patients and those affected by cancer and the U.S. Justice Department’s bankruptcy watchdog, who have argued that a successful company like J&J is not eligible for bankruptcy protections designed for the struggling debtors.
The company’s initial attempt to resolve the bankruptcy lawsuits was rejected after the same arguments. In the end, a U.S. appeals court decided that LTL had not been in “financial difficulty” and thus not eligible of bankruptcy protection. Certified asbestos free talc. LTL declared bankruptcy a second time within two hours of the dismissal, saying that the second bankruptcy was different due to the fact that it was able to borrow less and more backing for an agreement.
New Mexico and Mississippi said in their motion to dismiss that LTL’s bankruptcy renewal violates state law enforcement authorities by trying to unilaterally cap the liability of the company for state consumer protection actions.
Certified Asbestos Free Talc
The filings of LTL’s latest bankruptcy proceedings also include more information on how the company would assess and settle cancer claims when the bankruptcy plan is approved.
The largest amount of money under the settlement will be $500,000 to those diagnosed with mesothelioma terminal prior to age 45 and $260,000 for those who have been diagnosed with ovarian cancer that is terminal prior to age 45.
From there, the proposed settlement provides discounts based on the nature and severity of the cancer, the person’s age, previous using talc and other factors. Certified asbestos free talc. For example an individual who was using the talc product on a regular basis, had an ancestral history of ovarian cancer, and was diagnosed with stage II ovarian cancer at the age of 55 might qualify to receive a payment of $21,125 under the settlement plan.
Judge ordains J&J and talc oppositionists to participate in settlement talks.
After another round of hearings in Johnson and Johnson’s efforts to use a Texas Two-Step bankruptcy strategy to settle talc lawsuits, federal bankruptcy Judge Michael Kaplan has ordered the company and those opposing the move to conduct negotiations to settle the matter, Bloomberg reports.
In its second bankruptcy effort for LTL Management–a subsidiary established by J&J to hold the claims–the company made a settlement offer of $8.9 billion. Certified asbestos free talc. While one group of law firms representing plaintiffs support the settlement, a different group opposes the deal.
Earlier this week, the opposition group, which is known as the Official Committee of Talc Claimants and urging the bankruptcy court to dismiss the case by arguing that LTL cannot be regarded as to be in financial trouble.
“The filing is an unjust and legally flawed attempt by a small number of law firms to block claimants from voting on the resolution, which that the vast majority of claimants are in favor of,” J&J’s litigation chief Erik Haas, said in a statement. Certified asbestos free talc. “The law firms that are behind this filing have financial interests that are in conflict with, diverge from, and oppose the interests of their clients. We’ll submit an answer before the court of appeals.”
Certified asbestos free talc. Clay Thompson, a lawyer for MRHFM that is home to more than mesothelioma victims who have sued J&J for bankruptcy, told J&J’s second bankruptcy effort failed.
“J&J sends out press releases about how great the plan is but simultaneously demanding that plan details–including what individuals with illnesses would receive,” Thompson said in the statement. “What do they have to hide?”
Kaplan has commanded the parties to come up with another strategy for reorganization, under the supervision by two mediators.
On February 20, 2022 Kaplan affirmed the ability of J&J’s recourse to Chapter 11 to hasten a settlement that will free the company from the tens of thousands of claims regarding its talcum products.
In January of this year a federal appeals court ruled against the decision, deciding that the firm could not be considered in “financial distress.”
The J&J’s plan to make an appeal before the U.S. Supreme Court was dismissed on April 1, J&J was granted a second petition for bankruptcy roughly two hours later. In response, Kaplan froze the lawsuits for 60 days to decide whether or not to accept the second bankruptcy.
J&J’s unstoppable profit machine sputters after $6.9B the talc litigation cost.
In the Two Chapter 11 attempts, J&J has bought 19 months during which cases were put suspended. Certified asbestos free talc. The company would like claimants to take a vote to accept their settlement. J&J requires 75% acceptance for the deal to pass.
In addition to the group of talc attorneys who have panned the bankruptcy of the company as well, the U.S. Trustee, an arm from the U.S. Department of Justice has also filed motions to dismiss the second bankruptcy case of LTL.
In a statement this week, U.S. Trustee Andrew R. Vara wrote that the doors of bankruptcy courts are “open to honest but unfortunate debtors.” The doors “are not available to anyone who do not have a legitimate bankruptcy goal or who seek to abuse the bankruptcy process to delay or hinder their creditors.” Vara continued.
On the other hand, J&J maintains there is no evidence conclusive that its talc products, including its popular baby powder cause cancer. J&J has adopted the products from the market and will first launch them to be available in North America in 2020–and the rest of the world next year.
J&J intends to steer clear of the expense of going to trial. J&J has won the majority of cases decided at trial, but certain losses have been punishing.
A highly publicized trial in Missouri resulted in a $4.7 billion verdict against the drug company and was later lowered to $2.1 billion following appeals.
Johnson & Johnson faces high-stakes hearing over ‘Texas Two Step’ talc strategy: report
Overall, J&J has lost nine trial cases in talc which are on appeal or have been concluded. In 41 trials 32 of them ended in the favor of J&J or a mistrial, or plaintiff verdict that was dismissed upon appeal. Certified asbestos free talc. In addition, J&J in 2020 negotiated to settle nearly 1000 cases at a cost of $100 million, Bloomberg stated at the time.
Talcum Baby Powder Ovarian Cancer Lawsuit – Certified Asbestos Free Talc
Our lawyers handle baby powder lawsuits across all 50 states. The talcum powder lawsuits against Johnson & Johnson have been ongoing for years. Certified asbestos free talc. The lawsuits allege that prolonged use of the powder (or “talc”), the active ingredient found in products such as baby Powder as well as Shower to Shower as well as other products, may cause ovarian cancer in certain women.
This page gives a J&J talc power litigation update and explains how the forthcoming bankruptcy ruling will affect the final settlement amount of the Ovarian Cancer lawsuits.
Did the deadline expire for you to bring a talcum lawsuit? Many who believe that the statute of limitations has passed to file a lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson are wrong. Call us today at 800-553-8082 or get a free and quick review of your case online.
Johnson and Johnson Talcum Powder Lawsuit Update 2023 – Certified Asbestos Free Talc
June 2 2023 Update: At the trial for asbestos-containing talc at the trial in California yesterday, technical issues interrupted the opening statement by the defense attorneys. Certified asbestos free talc. The jurors, attending at home via Zoom but did not hear Johnson & Johnson’s lawyer expressing doubts about the 70s research affirming the presence of asbestos in their product prior to the opening was abruptly ended.
The plaintiff was able to introduce the first of their witnesses, Arthur Langer. Langer said that the presence of other minerals alongside talc is inevitable. He testified that his team had notified J&J in the year 1971 about the presence of chrysotile asbestos in the talc of the company, but in less than 0.1 percent. He also discovered more asbestos in 1976.
June 1st, 2023 Update Certified asbestos free talc. The first trial since J&J took the decision to disband its talc division, and then declare bankrupt marks a pivotal moment for the ongoing lawsuit story. The trial started yesterday in the harrowing case of a young, 24-year-old plaintiff who was diagnosed with an aggressive and rare form of mesothelioma in the past year, which lawyers on both sides acknowledge is a grave tragedy.
Opening statements revealed huge differences between the sides’ narrative. The attorney representing the plaintiff took aim on Johnson & Johnson, alleging the use of deceptive methods in their research practices as well as throughout the litigation process. As per the lawyer the company tried to manipulate the definition of asbestos, in spite of internal documents from 1978 and 1994 showing that asbestos fibers in the tissue of the plaintiffs are included.
Johnson & Johnson’s uncertain $8.9 billion settlement is hanging in the balance as we development of the trial. Despite the particularity of this mesothelioma case and its unique challenges compared to the majority of talcum powder lawsuits and a decision in favor of the plaintiff could inflict an enormous setback for J&J’s hopes of broad acceptance of their proposed settlement with plaintiffs.
May 31st, 2023: Update from Johnson and Johnson’s bankrupt talc division was able to defend the second Chapter 11 filing in the opposition of injured talc claimants. In a written objection to the New Jersey bankruptcy court, J&J’s subsidiary claimed that the filing was distinct from the earlier filing. It highlighted the extraordinary commitment of $8.9 billion by J&J which is the largest settlement ever in a mass tort bankruptcy case. Certified asbestos free talc. It was not mentioned how the size of the settlement indicates that it is a fair settlement. J&J also claimed support from a variety of plaintiffs’ law firms representing more than 600,00 claimants. It is difficult to confirm but is probably incorrect.
May 24 2023 Update: In the wake of Johnson & Johnson’s 2021 bankruptcy filing, the first trial involving the cosmetic talc products it claims to with asbestos content is scheduled to start jury selection on Monday, California within the Alameda County Superior Court, which is a well-known court for plaintiffs. The plaintiff asserts that his mesothelioma is the result of asbestos exposure through J&J’s products and J&J does not deny. The trial also includes six retailers accused of selling talc products.
May 22nd, 2023 Update: Lawyers involved in the second J&J talc bankruptcy are now in a dispute over who should be chosen to fill the role of a the future claims representative, the role is crucially essential in resolving the claim for talc. Certified asbestos free talc. Randi Ellis, a lawyer who regularly appears in MDLs throughout the United States was appointed as the claims representative in the previous bankruptcy. J&J’s defense team would like Ellis to be appointed to that role in the future, however lawyers representing the plaintiffs in talc are arguing to the claim that Ellis has conflicts of interest which would prohibit her from assuming that position in the future. The conflict stems from the fact that Ellis was involved in drafting the controversially litigated second bankruptcy, which raises concerns regarding her capacity to remain neutral. In reality, this bankruptcy could get dismissed anyway.
May 17, 2023 Update: The pretend company that J&J created for the talc litigation bankruptcy disclosed to a New Jersey bankruptcy court that they have designated $400 million to settle claims brought by states accusing J&J of misleading marketing for its talc product. Certified asbestos free talc. This amounts to an $8.5 billion settlement for cancer patients. It’s difficult to envision the scenario in which J&J will be able to push the settlements of baby powder through in these figures. Although J&J’s $8.5 billion offer sounds like a large sum initially, it will not appear appealing after you calculate the figures. The settlement plan based on our rough calculations – would not be able to pay victims more than an average settlement $100,000 per case. That’s not enough.
May 15 2023, Update J&J could be facing suit from an advocacy group that represents cancer patients. Certified asbestos free talc. The group contends that J&J intentionally withdrew the $61.5 billion contract for funding with its subsidiary, LTL Management LLC, in order to create a false sense of financial distress and validate the unit’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing. The group claims that this move is a fraud transfer of right to compensation for victims. They intend to investigate J&J’s actions following of the dismissal of the first bankruptcy case of LTL.
May 10 2023 Update: During the next week this week, next week, the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in New Jersey will hear oral arguments on a petition to dismiss the second bankruptcy application that was filed by J&J subsidiaries LTL Management. However, in the meantime, the bankruptcy has issued an order calling for both parties to take part in a new settlement negotiation in the hope that it will be possible to reach a global settlement agreement been reached.
May 5 2023 Update: Talc provider Whittaker, Clark & Daniels filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy due to many lawsuits claiming that its talc products caused cancer from asbestos exposure. Certified asbestos free talc. Over 2,700 people have sued the company, and it was spending $1 million a month to defend itself. The company’s recent $29million verdict in South Carolina forced it to file for bankruptcy protection, arguing for an equitable distribution of assets between talc claimants rather than being seized in the hands of the receiver. Other suppliers of talc have declared bankruptcy because of lawsuits.
May 4, 2023 Update: U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Michael Kaplan has directed Johnson & Johnson to resume talks with lawyers who have rejected the company’s proposed $8.9 billion offer for settlement. The court in Trenton, New Jersey yesterday, the parties gathered in court to discuss the next steps in the second bankruptcy case and Judge Kaplan encouraged further settlement talks.
This is the best way to settle these claims for J&J. A settlement for baby powder can be made. Certified asbestos free talc. But it will require more money – more billions of dollars – by Johnson & Johnson.
Lawyers have a split opinion on whether or not to accept the plan and not all clients view the issue the same way their lawyer does. This second case of bankruptcy is destined to be a failure as Judge Kaplan has scheduled a hearing in June to decide whether to remove the bankruptcy after the second.
May 3 2023 Update The group of cancer victims who are suing Johnson & Johnson (J&J) asked to have they request that the Third Circuit halt the bankruptcy filed by J&J subsidiary LTL Management, claiming it is an attempt to derail the litigation surrounding talc-based products. The group of talc claimants filed a motion on Tuesday asking the Third Circuit to consider their case and send it back an earlier court with instructions to discharge the bankruptcy. Certified asbestos free talc. They also requested that the halted tort litigation against J&J allow the litigation to continue.
LTL applied for Chapter 11 protection once again after its first bankruptcy filing was denied by the Third Circuit earlier this year and offered an $8.9 billion payment. The committee argues that the recent decision allowing the second Chapter 11 to continue, and also stopping trials against J&J should be subject to urgent Third Circuit review. The US Trustee also asked that be the New Jersey bankruptcy court dismiss the LTL bankruptcy case. J&J’s vice president for global litigation, Erik Haas, was quoted by Bloomberg declaring that J&J plans to file a response in the appeals court saying that the filing is a “desperate and legally insufficient effort” by a few of law firms with different financial interests.
May 1 2023 Update: A question people keep asking is how could plaintiffs and their attorneys turn down $8.9 billion. Of course, that’s an immense amount of money. But there are plenty of victims. Certified asbestos free talc. These are an excellent cases for plaintiffs. We were reminded of this last week in two talc trials which ended in large verdicts for plaintiffs. In February mesothelioma cases, a talcum powder trial in Oregon resulted in the verdict in the amount of $18.1 million. In the same month, a different mesothelioma-related talc case went to hearing at South Carolina and resulted in an award of $29 million on behalf of the plaintiff. It was the same defendant as in these cases: Whittaker, Clark & Daniels Inc., one of the top manufacturers of talc in U.S.
April 30th 2023 Update: When J&J initially attempted to pull the talcum powder lawsuit into bankruptcy, they came with an offer to set aside $2 billion to settle the case. The amount was absurdly low. All of the talc plaintiffs were in favor of the offer. This time, however, J&J has increased the offer to $8.9 if the talc plaintiffs accept a bankruptcy settlement and also has the backing of a significant section of the talc victims and their attorneys. Certified asbestos free talc. But with 75% of talc plaintiffs, which is necessary for bankruptcy plan approval is a difficult road since there are so many lawyers with vast collections of baby powder lawsuits that are opposed in favor of the deal.
What could solve the impasse? More billions.
April 25, 2023, Update Talc cancer claimants have asked a judge to disqualify the Chapter 11 case filed by LTL Management LLC, a absurdly made-up Johnson & Johnson subsidiary, insisting that the company is not financially troubled. LTL filed for Chapter 11 to settle tens of thousands of claims that J&J’s baby powders cause cancer. Certified asbestos free talc. LTL was denied Chapter 11 in January. 3rd Circuit dismissed its first Chapter 11 case in January in a ruling that said LTL was not eligible to receive bankruptcy relief because it did not show financial difficulties.
The claimants contend that LTL’s third Chapter 11 case is an overreach of the bankruptcy system and it is being pursued in bad faith. J&J claims the bankruptcy settlement is backed by “significant support” from companies representing around 60,000 plaintiffs. It is fair to say that the plaintiffs’ attorneys and the victims are split over the $8.9 billion deal.
April 21st, 2023 Update: A bankruptcy judge has ruled in favor of Johnson & Johnson must face new lawsuits claiming that the company sold a baby powder that contained a chemical that causes cancer. Although trials for talc lawsuits are paused for at least 60 days but new lawsuits can be filed, and lawyers may begin to prepare their cases. Certified asbestos free talc. Judges expressed doubt about J&J’s absurd attempt to relaunch its strategy in a second bankruptcy case.
April 13, 2023: Update on the most important story is that there’s an $8.9 billion over the next 25 year period settlement offered. Lawyers representing cancer victims in the MDL collective action vowed to fight the settlement alongside talc claimants. Why? They believe it’s not enough to pay for more than 70,000 cancer victims. Certified asbestos free talc. The lawyers say that J&J should seek a bigger settlement or settle individuals’ claims if the current bankruptcy is declared unconstitutional.
However, there is a second set of lawyers who are not part of the leadership in that class action. These lawyers have collectively amassed tens of thousands of cases. They want to settle now with what they believe is lower than what the victims should be paid. Their argument is twofold. The first is that they claim the settlement – which amounts to an average of $100,000 per plaintiff – is fair.
It’s a difficult argument to prove. But their second argument has more force: victims should not afford to wait any longer and need their money now.
April 12 2023 Update: Many are wondering if J&J could file for bankruptcy again. The answer is complicated and complex. Let’s try to clarify it in simple terms.
Johnson & Johnson asserts that bankruptcy is the only option to resolve both current and future lawsuits involving talc conclusively. It believes that it will be less expensive in the event of a bankruptcy component that applies pressure to negotiate a settlement. Certified asbestos free talc. Going back to the 400-year span of American history, the firm argues that bankruptcy benefits all parties by distributing settlement payments more evenly and efficiently than trial courts, where litigants are awarded significant settlements while others get nothing.
The basic tenet in the 3rd Circuit decision was this is not a case – one that makes a profit, but a subsidiary to take the legal responsibility and declare bankruptcy, which is what Congress thought of when drafting its Bankruptcy Code. But it also said it was not in financial distress due to the fact that J&J promises unlimited funding.
Thus, J&J did not hesitate to take advantage of the unlimited funding portion of the deal and didn’t make any promises to fund unlimited litigation. The company says that its updated financing arrangements with its subsidiary address the concerns of the appeals court while providing funds for claims. In the hope that offering victims less money would solve the underlying issue.
Attorneys representing cancer victims who are against the agreement argue this argument by saying that it is countering legal nonsense legal nonsense: J&J fraudulently transferred $50 billion in assets to LTL Management to circumvent the appeals court’s earlier decision. Hyperbole was not spared by the victims’ lawyers, who call this the biggest “fraudulent move ever in United States history.”
Despite the legal jargon, J&J does not really think that the bankruptcy will endure. It is however a method of trying to push this $8.9 billion settlement through and maintain pressure on plaintiffs.
April 10 2023 update: Bloomberg provides an insightful report on a brand new law that has been passed in New Jersey that is shedding new light on the funding of litigation in the baby powder plaintiffs in the class action. Litigation funders Virage Capital Management and TRGP Capital invested in hundreds of lawsuits from Johnson & Johnson (J&J) regarding talc products, in exchange in exchange for a portion of winnings. J&J is now offering an offer of $8.9 billion in settlements for all lawsuits.
The involvement of funders is public knowledge due to the New Jersey court rule requiring the disclosure of certain information about funders outside the state. The rules aim to respond to the increasing calls for regulation of litigation funders. J&J has more than 60,000 claims when you take into account federal and state baby powder lawsuits. Third-party funding of mass tort cases has its pros and pros and. But there is no question that we are seeing how third-party funding could level the playing field between individual and large corporations in the courtroom.
April 4 2023 Update: It is pleasing to see the worm turn in this legal battle. J&J took another hit this week when the Third Circuit denied J&J’s request to extend the automatic stay while J&J appeals an appeal at the U.S. Supreme Court. This automatic stay stopped hundreds of cases involving talcum powder and stopped any new lawsuits from getting filed ever since J&J initiated the controversial effort to spin the talc liabilities into a bankrupt company over one year ago. Certified asbestos free talc. When the 3rd Circuit ruled that this bankruptcy was not valid some months ago, the stay was revoked. J&J wanted to see it stayed in place until the SCOTUS appeal. But, no.
April 1st, 2023 Update: Johnson & Johnson announced it will appeal its 3rd Circuit bankruptcy loss to the U.S. Supreme Court last week. The likelihood that is that the Supreme Court is willing even to take up the appeal? Low.
March 16th, 2023 Update: with the bankruptcy stay being fully lifted, the first new cases have been filed and transferred into the Talcum Powder class action MDL within a year. Seven new talc-related lawsuits were included in the MDL in the last month which brings the total number of cases pending to 37,522.
February 25, 2023 Update 2023 Update: A Congressmen from Tennessee is now demanding that be the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) begin an investigation to determine how much J&J Talc products have cost the government over the many years.
Recently, in an open letter to the GAO, Rep. Steven Cohen (D-Ten.) has accused J&J of ignoring the dangers of its talc products for years while tax dollars were spent treating those injured by exposure to the product. This lawsuit comes a few weeks after J&J’s major loss in the 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals.
Certified asbestos free talc. J&J must begin making reasonable settlements to victims to begin in putting this behind. This is a disgrace to one of the world’s greatest businesses.
February 14 , 2023 Update: At an earlier hearing in New Jersey, U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Michael Kaplan announced his intention in light of the third U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruling to dismiss the bankruptcy case.
You May be Entitled to Significant Compensation Certified asbestos free talc. Johnson & Johnson powders were proven to contain asbestos (a cancer causing agent) and the company failed to notify users of the cancer risk. $2 BILLION has already been awarded to claims. Free To File! No Fees Unless A Settlement Is Awarded!