|
 The ruling, which reverses a 2017 judgment in favor of the
plaintiff, said that the Missouri court lacked the authority to
judge the case, citing a 2017 Missouri supreme court ruling that
limited out-of-state plaintiffs' ability to sue within the state.
The state supreme court ruling could help reduce J&J's liability and
the number of large trials the healthcare company faces over
allegations that its talc products, including baby powder, cause
cancer.
"The Missouri Court of Appeals ruled correctly in overturning a $110
million verdict against Johnson & Johnson. Of the four verdicts that
Johnson & Johnson has appealed to this court, all four have been
reversed," the company said in a statement.
"The facts are clear - Johnson’s Baby Powder is safe, does not
contain asbestos nor does it cause cancer, as reflected in more than
40 years of scientific evidence," the statement added.
[to top of second column] |
New Jersey-based J&J is facing several other lawsuits in St. Louis,
including a one brought by 21 plaintiffs from outside the city that
in July of 2018 produced a record $4.69 billion talc verdict against
J&J. The company is appealing the verdict.
J&J faces around 15,500 lawsuits related to products containing
talc. It is also facing lawsuits tied to its anti-psychotic drug
Risperdal, pelvic meshes, and opioid drugs.
The verdict that was overturned stemmed from a lawsuit filed by Lois
Slemp, who claimed she developed cancer after four decades of using
talc-containing products sold by J&J, including Johnson's Baby
Powder and Shower to Shower powder.
(Reporting by Carl O'Donnell; Editing by Sandra Maler and Bill
Berkrot)
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