You May be Entitled to Significant Compensation Talcum powder lawsuit multidistrict litigation. 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 talc settlement would make payments of $400 million to US state AGs. Talcum Powder Lawsuit Multidistrict Litigation .
Johnson & Johnson (JNJ.N) has set aside $400 million to settle U.S. state consumer protection actions as part of its wider $8.9 billion settlement of allegations that its Baby Powder and other talc items cause cancer. Talcum powder lawsuit multidistrict litigation.
J&J subsidiaries LTL Management filed a bankruptcy plan in New Jersey late on Monday which outlines how the company will pay various types of cancer victims in an arrangement for bankruptcy. Talcum powder lawsuit multidistrict litigation. J&J has declared that its Talc products are safe and won’t cause cancer. It is attempting for an additional time to conclude more than 38,000 lawsuits filed in bankruptcy and stop new cases from coming forward in the near future.
LTL’s bankruptcy plan will pay $400 million into a separate trust for lawsuits filed in state courts by attorneys general claiming that J&J violated laws against unfair business practices in the State of New York and consumer protection laws by misinforming consumers regarding the security of its talc-based products.
Some states had started consumer protection actions against J&J prior to the time that LTL’s bankruptcy filing stopped these investigations from proceeding in 2021. Talcum powder lawsuit multidistrict litigation. New Mexico and Mississippi had already launched suit in the past against Johnson & Johnson before then and the states of Arizona, Maryland, North Carolina, Texas and Washington had issued subpoenas or civil investigative demands in LTL’s court documents.
New Mexico and Mississippi have moved to dismiss LTL’s bankruptcy, joining cancer victims as well as their counterparts from the U.S. Justice Department’s bankruptcy watchdog. They argue that a profit-making company like J&J cannot benefit from bankruptcy protections intended for people with debt problems.
LTL’s first attempt at resolving the bankruptcy lawsuits was rejected after the same arguments. In the end, a U.S. appellate court decided in favor of LTL had not been in “financial distress” and thus not eligible of bankruptcy protection. Talcum powder lawsuit multidistrict litigation. LTL had filed for bankruptcy again just over two hours after the decision to dismiss, arguing that the second bankruptcy was different in that it had less money available and had a greater chance of securing the settlement.
New Mexico and Mississippi said in their motion for dismissal that LTL’s new bankruptcy violates state law enforcement authorities by attempting unilaterally to cap LTL’s liability to state consumer protection actions.
Talcum Powder Lawsuit Multidistrict Litigation
LTL’s new filings also included more details on how the company plans to evaluate and settle cancer claims in the event that the bankruptcy plan is approved.
The highest payments under the settlement would be $500,000 for people diagnosed with cancer of the mesothelioma ovary before age 45, and $260,000 for those diagnosed with terminal ovarian cancer before age 45.
The proposed settlement provides discounts based on the severity and type of cancer, the individual’s age, the history of talc use and other factors. Talcum powder lawsuit multidistrict litigation. For example someone who regularly used talc products on a weekly basis, who had a family history of ovarian cancer and was diagnosed an ovarian cancer stage II when she was 55 might qualify for a $21,125 payout under the program.
Judge gives order to J&J and talc oppositionists to discuss settlement negotiations.
Following another hearing in Johnson & Johnson’s effort to use a Texas Two-Step bankruptcy strategy to settle talc lawsuits, federal bankruptcy Judge Michael Kaplan has ordered the company as well as those who oppose the plan to hold talks to reach a settlement, Bloomberg reports.
The second time it attempted to file for bankruptcy for LTL Management–a subsidiary established by J&J to hold the claims–the company proposed a settlement of $8.9 billion. Talcum powder lawsuit multidistrict litigation. While one group of law firms representing plaintiffs support the settlement, a different group opposes the deal.
Earlier this week, the opposition group, known as”The Official Committee of Talc Claimants, urged the bankruptcy court for dismissal of the matter by saying that LTL is not considered to be financially distressed.
“The filing is an unjust and legally flawed attempt by a small number of law firms to try to stop claimants from voting on the resolution plan, a plan that the overwhelming majority of claimants approve of,” J&J’s litigation chief Erik Haas, said in an announcement. Talcum powder lawsuit multidistrict litigation. “The law firms behind the filing are pursuing financial interests which do not align with, diverge from and contravene those that their customers. We’ll soon submit a response in the appeals court.”
Talcum powder lawsuit multidistrict litigation. Clay Thompson, a lawyer for MRHFM that includes more than mesothelioma victims who have filed lawsuits against J&J, said that J&J’s second bankruptcy attempt is likely to fail.
“J&J publishes press release describing how fantastic its plans are, but is insisting that the plan’s details, including what individuals with illnesses would be treated to,” Thompson said in a statement. “What does the company have to keep secret?”
Kaplan has instructed the sides to devise a second restructuring plan, with the supervision from two mediators.
As of February 2022 Kaplan acknowledged J&J’s recourse to Chapter 11 to hasten a settlement that would free the company from the hundreds of thousands of claims regarding its talcum products.
But in January of this year, a federal appeals court ruled against the decision, deciding that the company could not be considered to be in “financial trouble.”
After J&J’s appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court was turned down in April, J&J declared bankruptcy two hours after. In response to that move, Kaplan froze the lawsuits for 60 days to decide whether to allow an additional bankruptcy.
J&J’s omnipotent profit engine fails after $6.9B talc litigation charge.
Through Two Chapter 11 attempts, J&J has gotten 19 months of which the cases were held. Talcum powder lawsuit multidistrict litigation. The company is requesting that claimants accept their settlement. J&J requires 75% of the vote in order for the agreement to be accepted.
In addition to the group of talc attorneys who have panned LTL’s bankruptcy plan, the U.S. Trustee is an arm from the U.S. Department of Justice has also filed an application to dismiss LTL’s second bankruptcy.
In a statement this week, U.S. trustee Andrew R. Vara wrote that the doors of the bankruptcy court remain “open to honest but unfortunate debtors.” Those doors “are not open to parties that do not have a legitimate reason or want to use the bankruptcy process to hinder or delay their creditors.” Vara continued.
On the other hand, J&J maintains there is no proof conclusive that their talc products, including its famous baby powder, cause cancer. J&J has been taking the products of the market first on North America in 2020–and the rest of the world next year.
J&J intends to steer clear of the cost of going to trial. It has won the majority of cases decided at trial, but certain losses have been extremely severe.
A highly publicized trial in Missouri resulted in an $4.7 billion judgment against the drug manufacturer, which was later reduced to $2.1 billion following appeals.
Johnson & Johnson faces high-stakes hearing over ‘Texas Two Step’ talc strategy: report
In all, J&J has lost nine cases involving talc, which are on appeal or have been decided. In 41 trials 32 ended with a win by J&J or a mistrial, or verdict for a plaintiff that was dismissed after appeal. Talcum powder lawsuit multidistrict litigation. In addition, J&J in 2020 moved to settle over 1000 cases for the sum of $100 million. Bloomberg announced at that time.
Talcum Baby Powder Ovarian Cancer Lawsuit – Talcum Powder Lawsuit Multidistrict Litigation
Our lawyers handle baby powder lawsuits across all 50 states. The talcum powder lawsuits against Johnson & Johnson have been in the process for several years. Talcum powder lawsuit multidistrict litigation. The lawsuits allege that prolonged use of the powder (or “talc”), the active ingredient in many products, including Shower to Shower Powder or Shower to Shower, can cause ovarian cancer in some women.
This page offers a J&J talc power litigation update and explains how the forthcoming bankruptcy ruling affects the final settlement amount in the cases of ovarian cancer.
Did the deadline expire for you to start a lawsuit against talcum powder? Many people who think the deadline has passed to file a lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson are wrong. Call us now at 800-553-2082 or get a no-cost, quick review of your case online.
Johnson and Johnson Talcum Powder Lawsuit Update 2023 – Talcum Powder Lawsuit Multidistrict Litigation
June 2, 2023 Update: During the asbestos talc trial at the trial in California yesterday, some technical issues disrupted the opening speech of defense lawyers. Talcum powder lawsuit multidistrict litigation. Jurors who were watching from home via Zoom but did not hear Johnson & Johnson’s lawyer expressing doubt about the science of the 70s that claimed asbestos was present in their product, but the trial was abruptly closed.
Meanwhile, the plaintiff could present an initial witness Arthur Langer. Langer said that the presence of other minerals alongside the talc mineral is a given. He testified that his team informed J&J in 1971 about the presence of asbestos chrysotile in the talc of the company, but in lesser than 0.1 percent. The asbestos was discovered by him in the year 1976.
June 1st, 2023 Update Talcum powder lawsuit multidistrict litigation. This is the first court trial that has taken place since J&J has decided to separate its talc division, and then declare bankrupt is an important turning point within the ongoing litigation drama. The trial began on Tuesday in the tragic case of a young 24-year-old plaintiff, diagnosed with an extremely rare and aggressive form of mesothelioma last year, which lawyers on both sides of the argument agree is a tragedy of a different kind.
Opening statements revealed huge differences between the sides’ story. The attorney for the plaintiff took aim at Johnson & Johnson, alleging the use of deceptive strategies in its research practices as well as throughout the litigation process. As per the lawyer, the company tried to manipulate the definition of asbestos despite internal documents from between 1978 and 1994 that showed fibers discovered in the tissue of the plaintiffs are included.
Johnson & Johnson’s precarious $8.9 billion settlement deal hangs in the balance with the development of the trial. Despite the particularity of this mesothelioma case and its distinct issues compared to the majority of talcum powder lawsuits, a verdict favoring the plaintiff could cause a serious setback to J&J’s hopes for broad acceptance of their settlement proposal among plaintiffs.
May 31, 2023: Update from Johnson and Johnson’s bankrupted talc unit has strongly defended the two-time Chapter 11 filing in the in the face of challenges from injured talc claimants. In a written objection to the New Jersey bankruptcy court, the subsidiary argued that the situation was distinct from the earlier filing. The subsidiary emphasized the record-breaking commitment of $8.9 billion from J&J, the largest settlement ever in any bankruptcy case that involves mass tort. Talcum powder lawsuit multidistrict litigation. The issue is not discussed: whether the magnitude of the settlement means it is an equitable settlement. J&J also claimed that it received support from several plaintiffs’ legal firms representing more than 60,000 claimants. This is hard to verify but is probably incorrect.
May 24 2023 Update: In the wake of Johnson & Johnson’s 2021 bankruptcy filing, the first trial regarding its cosmetic talc products allegedly comprised of asbestos is set to start jury selection Monday, California within the Alameda County Superior Court, the most favored place for plaintiffs. Plaintiff claims that mesothelioma resulted from asbestos exposure in J&J’s product and J&J has denied. The trial also involves six retailers who are accused of selling talc-based products.
May 22nd, 2023 Update Lawyers involved in the second J&J Talc bankruptcy are in a dispute over who should be chosen to fill the post of future claims representative, the role is crucially critical to resolving claim for talc. Talcum powder lawsuit multidistrict litigation. Randi Ellis, a lawyer who is frequently involved in MDLs across the country was appointed as the claims representative in the first bankruptcy. J&J’s defense team wants Ellis to be appointed to that role and again, but attorneys for the talc plaintiffs are objecting due to the fact that Ellis has an interest conflict that would prevent her from taking on that role again. The issue stems from the possibility that Ellis was reportedly involved in the creation of the hotly contesting second bankruptcy, which raises questions regarding her capacity to remain neutral. The reality is this bankruptcy is likely to be dismissed regardless.
May 17, 2023 Update The fake company J&J made up to handle the bankruptcy of talc has informed a New Jersey bankruptcy court that they have set aside $400 million to settle allegations made by states who accuse the company of misleading advertising for its talc product. Talcum powder lawsuit multidistrict litigation. It’s a $8.5 billion settlement for cancer victims. It is hard to imagine an eventuality where J&J can get the settlements of baby powder through at these numbers. While J&J’s proposed $8.5 billion offer may seem like a lot at first, it does not look great when you consider the math. This settlement proposal – by our rough calculations, would not pay victims much more than $100,000 per case. That’s not enough.
May 15 2023 update: J&J might be facing lawsuit from an advocacy group representing cancer victims. Talcum powder lawsuit multidistrict litigation. The group contends that J&J deliberately retracted the $61.5 billion contract for funding in conjunction with its affiliate, LTL Management LLC, to create the appearance of financial hardship and to validate the company’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing. The group claims this decision amounts to a fraudulent transfer of victims’ compensation rights. They plan to explore J&J’s actions in the wake of the decision to dismiss the LTL’s bankruptcy case in its first instance.
May 10 2023 Update: The following week this week, this week the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in New Jersey will hear oral arguments regarding a motion to reject the second bankruptcy filing from J&J subsidiary LTL Management. However, in the meantime the bankruptcy has issued an Order that requires both parties to participate in a new settlement mediation in the hope that an international settlement agreement can be brokered.
May 5th 2023 Update: The talc provider Whittaker, Clark & Daniels filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy due to numerous lawsuits alleging its talc products caused cancer from asbestos exposure. Talcum powder lawsuit multidistrict litigation. Over 2700 people have sued the firm and the company was paying $1 million per month to defend its legal position. The company’s recent $29 million settlement in South Carolina forced it to seek bankruptcy protection, arguing that assets should be distributed in an equitable manner between the claimants of talc instead of being seized from the receiver. Other suppliers of talc have filed for bankruptcy due to lawsuits.
May 4, 2023, Update U.S. bankruptcy judge Michael Kaplan has directed Johnson & Johnson to restart talks with lawyers who turned down the company’s proposed $8.9 billion agreement. It was in Trenton, New Jersey yesterday the parties gathered in court to discuss the next steps in this second case of bankruptcy and Judge Kaplan has pushed for further settlement talks.
This is the solution to settle these claims for J&J. The baby powder settlement is likely to get done. Talcum powder lawsuit multidistrict litigation. But it’ll need more money – more billions of dollars – coming from Johnson & Johnson.
Lawyers are divided on whether to take the proposal or not and not all clients see the issue the same way their lawyer does. Second bankruptcy cases are bound to fail, as Judge Kaplan has scheduled a hearing in June to decide whether to close the case for the third time.
May 3, 2023 Update: A group representing cancer patients who have sued 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 litigation over talc products. The committee representing talc claimants made a motion Tuesday, asking for the Third Circuit to consider their case and send it back to a lower court with instructions to discharge the bankruptcy. Talcum powder lawsuit multidistrict litigation. They also requested that the halted tort litigation against J&J continue to proceed.
LTL filed 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 agreement. The committee argues that the recent ruling allowing LTL’s 2nd Chapter 11 to continue, in addition to halting trials against J&J, warrants an immediate Third Circuit review. The US Trustee requested it be requested that the New Jersey bankruptcy court dismiss the LTL bankruptcy case. J&J’s global vice president of litigation, Erik Haas, was quoted by Bloomberg saying that J&J intends to file a formal response in the appeals court, declaring the filing an “desperate and legally flawed plan” by a small number of law firms who have conflicts of financial interests.
May 1st, 2023 Update: One frequently asked question is how could the plaintiffs’ lawyers and their clients turn down $8.9 billion. That’s of course a lot of money. But there are plenty of victims. Talcum powder lawsuit multidistrict litigation. These are actually a good arguments for plaintiffs. We were reminded of this last week by two talc-related trials that have resulted in huge verdicts for plaintiffs. In February, a talcum powder mesothelioma trial in Oregon ended in an award of $18.1 million. The following month, a second talc mesothelioma case went to the court on the other side of South Carolina and resulted in a verdict of $29million for the plaintiff. The defendant in both cases was Whittaker, Clark & Daniels Inc. One of the leading suppliers of talc in the U.S.
April 30 2023 Update: When J&J initially attempted to pull the litigation over talcum powder into bankruptcy, they came with an offer to reserve $2 billion to settle the case. This was an absurdly low amount. There was no one among the talc victims who supported the offer. This time, however, J&J has increased the offer to $8.9 if the talc plaintiffs agree to a bankruptcy settlement and they have the backing of a significant section of the talc victims as well as their lawyers. Talcum powder lawsuit multidistrict litigation. But with 75% of plaintiffs in the talc category, which is required to approve bankruptcy plans is not an easy task with so many lawyers with huge inventories of baby powder-related lawsuits, opposed in favor of the deal.
What is the solution to this impasse? More billions.
April 25, 2023 Update: Talc plaintiffs have asked a judge to dismiss their Chapter 11 case filed by LTL Management LLC, a ridiculously made-up Johnson & Johnson subsidiary, insisting that the company is not financially distressed. LTL requested Chapter 11 to settle tens of thousands of claims that J&J’s baby powders caused cancer. Talcum powder lawsuit multidistrict litigation. It was the 3rd Circuit dismissed its first Chapter 11 case in January and said that LTL was not a candidate for bankruptcy relief because it had not demonstrated financial difficulties.
The claimants assert that LTL’s Second Chapter 11 case is an misuse of the bankruptcy system and it’s being pursued in bad faith. J&J asserts that the bankruptcy settlement receives “significant support” from the firms that represent around 60,000 people who are claiming. It is fair to say plaintiffs’ lawyers and victims ‘ lawyers are divided on what they believe is an $8.9 billion deal.
April 21st, 2023 Update A bankruptcy judge decided in favor of Johnson & Johnson must face new lawsuits alleging that the company offered a baby powder with a contaminant that caused cancer. Although the trials for the lawsuits involving talc are delayed for a minimum of 60 days but new lawsuits can be filed, and lawyers are able to begin preparing their cases. Talcum powder lawsuit multidistrict litigation. Judges expressed skepticism about J&J’s pathetic attempt to revive its strategy with the second bankruptcy case.
April 13th, 2023: Update on the major news is the $8.9 billion over the course of 25 years of settlement. Lawyers representing cancer victims within the MDL group action promised to fight the settlement alongside those who claim talc. Why? They think it is too little money for the 70,000 victims who have cancer. Talcum powder lawsuit multidistrict litigation. The lawyers say that J&J should negotiate a larger settlement or litigate individual claims in the event that the latest bankruptcy is declared unconstitutional.
However, there is a second group of lawyers that is not part of the leadership group in group action. These lawyers have amassed tens of thousands of cases. They want to settle now with what they believe is less than the victims deserve. Their argument appears to be twofold. First, they argue the settlement of around 100 million dollars on average per plaintiff – is fair.
This is an argument that is difficult to make. However, their second argument has more force: victims should be no longer patient and demand to get their money right now.
April 12 2023 Update: Many are asking how J&J can file for bankruptcy again. The answer is complex and convoluted. However, let’s attempt to explain it clearly.
Johnson & Johnson asserts that bankruptcy is the only way to deal with both present and future lawsuits involving talc conclusively. Also, it thinks it can get a lower rate when there is a bankruptcy component that applies pressure to settle. Talcum powder lawsuit multidistrict litigation. In a quest to cover more than 400 years in American past, the company believes that bankruptcy is beneficial to all parties because it distributes settlement payments more equitably and efficiently than trial courts, where some litigants receive significant award while others do not.
The gist in this 3rd Circuit decision was this is not a case of an enterprise that is profitable, forming a subsidiary to take the legal burden and declare bankruptcy – something Congress thought of when drafting its Bankruptcy Code. However, it also stated that the entity was financially difficulty because J&J assured it of unlimited funding.
Then J&J decided to go with the funding unlimited part of the holding but did not pledge to offer unlimited funding for cases. The company claims that its revised financing arrangements with its subsidiary will address concerns of the appeals court while offering funds to pay claims. As if providing victims with less money will solve the problem at hand.
Lawyers representing cancer patients who are against the agreement argue this by arguing that the plaintiff is a defense against legal nonsense by pointing out legal nonsense: J&J fraudulently transferred $50 billion in assets to LTL Management to circumvent the appeals court’s previous decision. The hyperbole wasn’t spared: victims’ lawyers call it the biggest “fraudulent move in United States history.”
Notwithstanding the legal mumbo jumbo, J&J does not really think that the bankruptcy will endure. However, it’s a means of trying to push this $8.9 billion settlement and keep the pressure on plaintiffs.
April 10 2023 Update: Bloomberg has an interesting piece on a law that has been passed within 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 that were brought against Johnson & Johnson (J&J) on behalf of talc products. They exchanged in exchange for a portion of settlements. J&J is now offering that it will pay $8.9 billion in settlements for all lawsuits.
The funders’ involvement is public knowledge due to an New Jersey court rule requiring the disclosure of certain information about funders outside the state. This rule is intended to respond to the increasing calls for regulation of the litigation funders. J&J is facing more than 60,000 claims when you combine federal and state infant powder litigation. Third-party financing in mass tort cases has its pros and cons. But there is no question that we are seeing how third-party financing can help level the playing field between people and large corporations in the courtroom.
April 4 2023 Update: It is fun to watch the worm turning in this litigation. J&J has taken another blow this week, when an appeals court in the Third Circuit denied J&J’s request to extend the automatic stay during the time that J&J appeals an appeal before the U.S. Supreme Court. This automatic stay froze the cases of talcum powder in a number of years and stopped any new lawsuits from getting filed ever since J&J started the controversial process to spin the talc debts into a bankrupt subsidiary more than a year ago. Talcum powder lawsuit multidistrict litigation. When it was decided that the 3rd Circuit ruled that this bankruptcy was invalid a few months ago, the stay was lifted. J&J had hoped to have it continued pending hearing the SCOTUS appeal. The answer was 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 chance the Supreme Court is willing even to hear the appeal? Low.
March 16th 2023 Update: with the bankruptcy stay being officially lifted, the very first new cases were filed and incorporated into the class action for talcum powder MDL in just over a year. Seven new talc lawsuits were joined to the MDL over the last month which brings the total number of cases that are pending to 37,522.
February 25, 2023 Update: A Congressmen from Tennessee has now demanded that authorities from the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) start an investigation into the amount J&J products containing talc have cost the government over the many years.
A recent email addressed to the GAO, Rep. Steven Cohen (D-Ten.) has accused J&J of ignoring the risks of its talc products for long while tax dollars spent treating those injured by exposure to the chemicals. The lawsuit comes just a few weeks following J&J’s dramatic loss in the 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals.
Talcum powder lawsuit multidistrict litigation. J&J should begin to make reasonable settlement offers to victims, in order getting this behind it. This is a disgrace to one of the most prestigious firms.
February 14 2023 Update: During a hearing today at the hearing in New Jersey, U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Michael Kaplan announced his intention in light of the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruling to dismiss the bankruptcy case.
You May be Entitled to Significant Compensation Talcum powder lawsuit multidistrict litigation. 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!