Is Johnson & Johnson Fighting a War on Consumer Protection?
Who hasn't heard about Johnson & Johnson's Baby Powder? The popular product grew to market to adults with a body powder containing the slogan, "A sprinkle a day helps keep odor away." But an expose conducted by New York Times and Reuters in 2018 discovered that J&J had known for decades that its talcum powder was likely contaminated by asbestos, a cancer-causing mineral.In September of 2022, the New Yorker published an in-depth article examining Johnson & Johnson's battle with consumer advocates and its fight to avoid responsibility for cancers related to its asbestos-contaminated products. Johnson & Johnson is facing more than 40,000 lawsuits from individuals claiming that their talc caused mesothelioma, ovarian cancer, and other chronic health conditions. The company is already facing more than $3.5 billion in related judgments.
Avoiding Responsibility with Bankruptcy
One of J&J's attempts to avoid billions of dollars in lawsuit judgments was an attempt to declare bankruptcy. The giant company, which was number 36 on the Fortune 500 list in 2021, spun off its lawsuit liabilities into a smaller subsidiary. Then, it declared bankruptcy using a move first deployed by Koch Industries. Whether future claims can proceed or past claimants can recover any of their awards rests in the hands of a single bankruptcy judge.Legal advocates worry that if Johnson & Johnson succeeds with this legal strategy, it will undercut consumer protection laws. Companies will simply siphon their liabilities and a little cash off into a new company and declare bankruptcy, avoiding the very vehicles meant to keep them accountable for consumer safety.
You Need Experienced Legal Advice
If you or someone you love has a cancer diagnosis after using talc-based products, you need legal advice. You may be able to file a suit for your damages, and the experienced attorneys at the Madeksho Law Firm can guide you through the process. We have helped many clients through this process and can help you too. Give us a call at 1-888-910-6376 or contact us online. Your consultation is free, and you won't pay anything unless we recover compensation on your behalf.
