As Johnson & Johnson (J&J) works to finalize a proposed 8 billion dollar settlement to resolve over 60,000 lawsuits related to its talc-based products in the United States, a new wave of litigation is emerging in the United Kingdom. According to reports from British news outlets, the healthcare giant faces a potential class-action lawsuit from nearly 1,900 claimants in the UK, signaling the beginning of another significant legal battle.
The impending lawsuit, led by the British law firm KP Law, would be the first major case in England targeting J&J over its talcum powder products. KP Law recently issued a pre-litigation notice to J&J, informing the company of plans to file a group action in London’s High Court. The claims, which the firm intends to initiate next year, allege that J&J’s talc products were contaminated with asbestos and caused cancer in users.
Tom Longstaff, head of product liability at KP Law, described the dire consequences faced by the claimants in a public statement. “All of the claimants, predominantly women but also some men, have suffered life-altering cancer diagnoses after using Johnson & Johnson’s talcum powder products. Tragically, some have succumbed to their illnesses, leaving devastated families behind. These individuals deserve justice,” Longstaff emphasized.
J&J, which has faced similar allegations in the U.S., removed its talc-based baby powder from the North American market in 2020 and discontinued its global sales in 2023. The company now offers a cornstarch-based alternative. Despite this shift, J&J maintains that its talcum powder products are safe and do not contain asbestos.
In a recent statement, Erik Haas, J&J’s head of litigation, reiterated the company’s stance: “Extensive scientific findings confirm the absence of asbestos contamination in Johnson’s Baby Powder and the talc we source for the product. Independent studies consistently show no link between talc and ovarian cancer or mesothelioma.”
In the UK, however, claimants argue that J&J knowingly continued to sell talc products contaminated with asbestos despite being aware of potential risks for decades. The case mirrors allegations in the U.S., where J&J has faced a litany of lawsuits over similar claims.
In the U.S., J&J recently took a major step toward resolving its legal woes by bolstering its proposed settlement fund to 8 billion dollars. The settlement offer has garnered support from 83% of claimants, potentially ending years of litigation.
As J&J’s talc litigation unfolds on both sides of the Atlantic, the company faces growing scrutiny over its handling of the controversy. While the U.S. settlement could resolve a significant portion of its legal challenges, the new class-action threat in the UK demonstrates the global scope of the issue.
The outcome of these cases could shape the future of corporate accountability for product safety, particularly for companies operating on an international scale. For now, J&J’s legal battles are far from over, with potential implications for its reputation and financial stability looming large.
