Enough is Enough: New Proposed Class Action Filed Against J&J

A group of ovarian cancer victims has taken a stand against Johnson & Johnson by filing a class action lawsuit. These courageous individuals, having already pursued individual legal actions for harm caused by talc products, are now collectively challenging the company’s alleged deceptive practices.

 

Fraudulent Strategies Highlighted:

• The Texas Two-Step: In a strategic move in 2021, Johnson & Johnson set up a subsidiary named LTL Management to take on all the legal heat from talc-related issues. However, LTL’s attempt to seek shelter under bankruptcy protection didn’t hold up in court—not once, but twice.
• Shuffling the Deck: In 2022, Johnson & Johnson is accused of moving assets around—specifically, from its consumer health division to a new entity called Kenvue. The goal? Allegedly to protect those assets from legal claims. But when Kenvue faced the music in a Chicago courtroom over talc and mesothelioma claims, the jury said, “You’re liable.”
• Money Moves: When their first plan didn’t pan out, Johnson & Johnson swapped out a hefty $61.5 billion funding agreement for a leaner $29.9 billion deal. The catch? LTL Management didn’t get anything of equal value in return.

 

Understanding the New Proposed Class Action

The lawsuit suggests that these clever legal maneuvers were all about playing the system—using bankruptcy courts to dodge responsibility and put off trials and decisions for more than two years. Now, Johnson & Johnson is eyeing a “pre-packaged” bankruptcy, hoping the third time’s the charm to shrink its liabilities.

Backed by Beasley Allen and five other law firms, the plaintiffs are shining a spotlight on Johnson & Johnson’s tactics.

“The bad faith that the courts found in ruling against J&J in the two previous bankruptcies applies to every action the company has taken during the past three years,” says Andy Birchfield of Alabama-based Beasley Allen. “The individuals bringing this class action are shining a bright light on the entire series of dubious, unlawful and hypocritical ploys J&J has been following, and they’re saying enough is enough.”

 

Science Doesn’t Lie

The science is clear: Regular use of talc can significantly up the risk of ovarian cancer—by 30% to 60%. And despite Johnson & Johnson’s denials, it’s been revealed that their talc products weren’t just talc—they contained asbestos, an accepted cause of cancer. What’s more, the company supposedly knew about this for years but kept it on the down-low.

Adding to the evidence, a recent study from the National Institutes of Health has drawn a line connecting the dots between genital talc use and ovarian cancer, especially among those who used it often and over a long time. This study isn’t just a small survey; it’s a comprehensive look at over 50,000 women.

As this legal battle unfolds, the message from our firm and other lawyers is loud and clear: It’s time for Johnson & Johnson to face up to its actions and for the safety of consumers to take center stage.