Johnson & Johnson (J&J) has launched a legal battle against four researchers. The issue at hand is a potentially groundbreaking study suggesting a link between J&J’s talc-based products and cancer.

Using its talc division, LTL Management, J&J is striving to invalidate the research. This aggressive step is sparking widespread controversy. LTL is demanding the researchers reveal the identities of their study participants.

With over 38,000 lawsuits attributing cancer to asbestos in J&J’s talc products, the company finds itself in a difficult position. J&J staunchly maintains its products are safe while proposing a massive $8.9 billion settlement in bankruptcy court. This contrasting stance stirs further doubts about J&J’s product safety claims.

Interestingly, J&J has replaced its talc-based Baby Powder with a cornstarch-based version, citing increased lawsuits and “misinformation.” Yet, the change fuels questions about J&J’s prior claims of talc safety.

In 2021, amidst growing legal complications, J&J turned to bankruptcy as a potential solution. Despite mixed trial outcomes, the $2.1 billion verdict favoring 22 women who attributed their ovarian cancer to J&J’s talc products is hard to overlook. J&J’s skyrocketing legal costs, reaching about $4.5 billion, lend further weight to the seriousness of the allegations.

J&J’s latest lawsuit follows a study suggesting talc products were the sole asbestos source for 33 patients. Emory, Kradin, and Maddox expanded on this research in 2020, studying 75 similar cases. All four researchers have testified against J&J in previous lawsuits.

Photo by Colin Lloyd