UK Legal Action Launched Against Johnson & Johnson Over Talc-Related Cancer Cases

International pharmaceutical giant Johnson & Johnson (J&J) is facing legal action for the first time in the UK courts over claims that woman who have been diagnosed with life-changing and life-limiting cancers were exposed to asbestos contained within the company’s talcum powder.

Lawyers from specialist group action firm KP Law are leading the fight against Johnson & Johnson (J&J) for potentially thousands of cancer survivors as well as the families of those who have since died.

The legal experts say the US-based multi-national corporation knew as early as the 1970s that asbestos in its talc products was dangerous but failed to warn consumers and carried on producing and selling the products in the UK until as recently as 2022.

KP Law has now issued a letter before action on behalf of its clients, and J&J have until the end of the year to respond, following which documents will be filed in the High Court.

The global giant has already set aside more than $6bn to settle ovarian cancer cases in the US with a further amount of more than $4bn for people diagnosed with mesothelioma.

And in July this year, The World Health Organization's International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified talc as "probably carcinogenic" for humans based on evidence that talc could cause ovarian cancer in humans and "strong mechanistic evidence" that it shows carcinogenic signs in human cells . These concerns relate to the dangers of mineral-based talcum powder itself, in addition to the asbestos contaminant.

Tom Longstaff, the lawyer leading the UK case and a partner at KP Law, which has already been contacted by 4,000 potential claimants and represents around 2000 currently with regard to claims against J&J relating to talcum powder, said the matter would be yet another example of a ‘trusted’ corporation putting profits before consumer safety, with tragic consequences.

“All of the claimants, predominantly women but also some men, who have sustained cancer after using J&J’s talcum powder products have experienced a life-changing illness.

WHO agency says talc is 'probably' cancer-causing:

In some cases, they have died from their cancer, leaving their families devastated. All of these innocent individuals deserve justice,” he said.

“There are thousands of women in the UK who will have been diagnosed with cancers which have been identified as being linked to the use of talcum powder and may well have a case against J&J, along with a smaller proportion of men with regard to mesothelioma and peritoneal cancer.

“This once-trusted corporation knew for decades that the asbestos in its talc products was present, that it was dangerous, but did nothing to protect consumers, who have ended up paying the highest price imaginable for the sake of corporate greed. We are committed to helping as many people as possible achieve justice in the UK for the actions of profit-hungry executives in US boardrooms.”