The Johnson & Johnson talc powder controversy escalates, with the first lawsuit in the UK involving over £1 billion

According to Zhitong Finance APP, Johnson & Johnson (JNJ.US) is facing its first lawsuit in the UK, accusing its talc powder products of causing cancer, while the company is dealing with tens of thousands of similar claims in the United States. The lawsuit was filed on Tuesday in the High Court of England and Wales, with Johnson & Johnson and its subsidiary Kenvue's UK branch, Kenvue UK Limited, as defendants. Kenvue (KVUE.US) is the former consumer health division that Johnson & Johnson spun off in 2023. KP Law firm stated that it represents over 3,000 plaintiffs who claim they developed ovarian cancer, mesothelioma, or other diseases after using Johnson's Baby Powder from 1965 to 2023. The law firm claims that Johnson's talc powder products contain carcinogenic fibers, including asbestos, which is linked to deadly mesothelioma. Johnson & Johnson has long maintained that its talc powder products are safe and do not contain asbestos. Johnson & Johnson has referred inquiries to Kenvue and stated that it "retains liability for talc-related lawsuits and any claimed compensation outside the United States and Canada." Kenvue stated in a statement that Johnson's Baby Powder "does not contain asbestos and is not carcinogenic." Latest Talc Powder Lawsuit Johnson & Johnson is also facing tens of thousands of lawsuits in the United States, where plaintiffs claim they were diagnosed with cancer after using baby powder and other talc products from the company. In 2020, Johnson & Johnson stopped selling talc-based baby powder in the United States and shifted to cornstarch products. In 2023, the company took the same approach in the UK. The company had attempted to resolve the lawsuits through bankruptcy proceedings, but this strategy has been rejected by federal courts three times. Last week, Johnson & Johnson was ordered to pay $966 million in damages to the family of a woman who died from mesothelioma, one of the largest penalties the company faces, though it may be reduced upon appeal. Damages awarded by UK courts are typically limited to compensating losses caused by the defendant's actions, while the $950 million in last week's US ruling was punitive damages. In the UK, if a defendant intentionally harms a plaintiff, the court may award so-called punitive damages, but the amounts are usually much lower than in the US. KP Law firm estimates that the lawsuit is worth about £1 billion ($1.34 billion). Importantly, these lawsuits—like almost all civil lawsuits in the UK—will be decided by a judge rather than a jury. Kenvue stated in its statement that it believes the judge will rule that its talc-containing baby powder is not carcinogenic