Thousands sue Johnson & Johnson in UK over baby powder cancer claims

[ad_1] Hundreds of individuals within the UK are pursuing authorized motion towards pharmaceutical large Johnson & Johnson, alleging the corporate knowingly bought asbestos-contaminated talcum powder.

As many as 3,000 claimants assert that they or a member of the family developed ovarian most cancers or mesothelioma from utilizing Johnson’s Child Powder, and are actually in search of damages on the Excessive Court docket in London.

Attorneys for the group, in court docket paperwork filed on Thursday, said that Johnson & Johnson, together with its present and former subsidiaries Johnson & Johnson Administration and Kenvue UK, ought to all be held liable.

They mentioned J&J “hid” the danger to the general public for many years, having now changed talc with corn starch in its child powder within the UK since 2023.

A spokesperson for Kenvue, which was previously a part of J&J, mentioned the talc utilized in child powder complied with laws, didn't comprise asbestos and doesn't trigger most cancers.

Talc is a naturally occurring mineral that's mined from the earth.

Johnson’s child powder (Jeepers Media)

Michael Rawlinson KC, for the group of individuals bringing the declare, mentioned in court docket paperwork that “there exist only a few, if any, commercially exploited talc deposits on this planet which don't comprise asbestos and that all the mines supplying the defendants contained asbestos”.

He additionally mentioned that reviews from such mines, in addition to its personal analysis alongside present scientific literature, would have knowledgeable J&J about asbestos contamination.

Regardless of this, the corporate “suppressed info that may point out that child powder was contaminated with asbestos”, the barrister added.

He additionally mentioned J&J “lobbied regulators” to allow the continued sale of its product and sponsored research in an effort to “downplay the hazards” to human well being.

J&J due to this fact “acted in dangerous religion, to guard the repute and profit-making potential of child powder and the goodwill connected to their title”, Mr Rawlinson mentioned.

Janet Fuschillo, who is likely one of the folks within the case, mentioned she used J&J’s child powder for the reason that Nineteen Sixties, and that she was recognized with ovarian most cancers seven years in the past.

The 75-year-old mentioned: “I used talc on myself and all 4 of my youngsters as a result of we had been advised it was pure, and it was good for you.

“I used talc once I modified nappies, after baths, on a regular basis, for near 50 years.

“It’s a supply of nice concern and anger that I used talc on my youngsters.

Patricia Angell mentioned her husband Edward died in 2006 aged 64, just a few weeks after being recognized with mesothelioma.

She described him as a “completely match, wholesome man” who labored as an electrician and knew about asbestos.

She mentioned: “When he fell ailing the docs requested him if he ever got here into contact with asbestos and he advised them he by no means had.

“He would come house from work and bathe daily and use J&J’s talc.

“However he all the time used it as a result of we had been advised it was, you realize, pure.

“Talc was talked about on Edward’s post-mortem report, together with asbestos strains present in contaminated talc.”

She added that her husband had been “robbed” of 19 years of life whereas her youngsters had been robbed of a father.

Mesothelioma, a type of most cancers, is sort of all the time attributable to asbestos publicity, in line with the NHS, and it generally varieties within the lungs after folks inhale the microscopic fibres.

Mr Rawlinson mentioned the strategy of software of the newborn powder – squeezing or shaking the bottle – meant that “clouds” of powder hung within the air “for a really very long time after use” and was inhaled by the individual utilizing it.

A Kenvue spokesperson mentioned: “We sympathise deeply with folks residing with most cancers.

“We perceive that they and their households need solutions - that’s why the information are so necessary.

“The security of Johnson’s Child Powder is backed by years of testing by impartial and main laboratories, universities and well being authorities within the UK and world wide.

“The high-quality beauty grade talc that was utilized in Johnson’s Child Powder was compliant with any required regulatory requirements, didn't comprise asbestos, and doesn't trigger most cancers.”