Court Clears Expert Testimony in Landmark Johnson & Johnson Talc-Cancer Cases

A court-appointed special master has recommended that plaintiffs in the Johnson & Johnson talc litigation may present expert testimony connecting talc products to ovarian cancer. This decision, part of ongoing cases involving over 67,500 lawsuits, allows the litigation to proceed to federal court potentially this year, challenging J&J's claims of product safety.

In a pivotal development for ongoing litigation against Johnson & Johnson, a court-appointed special master has recommended that expert testimony linking the company's talc products to ovarian cancer be allowed in court. This recommendation affects thousands of lawsuits and is seen as a crucial decision moving the cases towards trial in federal court.

The recommendation from retired U.S. District Judge Freda Wolfson, involves more than 67,500 lawsuits in federal court in New Jersey. Her 658-page ruling supports the plaintiffs' ability to argue a causal link between talc usage and cancer, countering J&J's safety claims, although testimony about other compounds was excluded.

Johnson & Johnson has been embroiled in legal battles over the safety of its talc products for years, maintaining they are safe. Despite ceasing U.S. sales of talc-based baby powder in 2020, the company faces substantial verdicts in separate mesothelioma cases, with recent decisions involving billions in damages.

(With inputs from agencies.)