Legal Developments
Birth Defects in Zofran Litigation Disputed, Despite Evidence Removed
James Parker · November 13, 2019
Recent litigation on Zofran has called into question expert testimony, which was removed from the evidence indicating that Zofran causes birth defects when used by pregnant women. Drug manufacturer, GlaxoSmithKline denies that causation of complications beyond heart defects and cleft palate can be proved. Though five cases were removed from the compilation of suits against GSK, the court proceedings wage on -- calling into question whether or not GSK should be required to update their product labeling with an adequate warning.
Legal DevelopmentsRiegel v. Medtronic: How the Landmark Case Limits Patient Rights
Carah Wertheimer · October 17, 2019
In 2008, a complex case set a legal precedent that dictates how Class III medical devices are approached. It's the landmark Supreme Court ruling, known as Riegel v. Medtronic, that changed everything. Now, those harmed by Class III medical devices struggle to seek legal recourse.
Legal DevelopmentsJohnson & Johnson Reached $20.4 Million Settlement With Ohio Counties in Landmark Opioid Case
Tess Francke · October 9, 2019
Johnson & Johnson reached a $20.4 million settlement with Cuyahoga and Summit counties in Ohio. The company resolves all claims by the counties without admission of liability.
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Judge Orders J&J to Pay $572 Million to Remediate Opioid Damages in Oklahoma
Tess Francke · September 5, 2019
After a nearly two-month trial, Judge Thad Balkman of Cleveland County District Court ruled Johnson & Johnson had intentionally played down the dangers and oversold the benefits of opioids. The company will pay $572 million for the community destruction caused by prescription painkillers.
Legal DevelopmentsThe EPA Will Not Ban a Pesticide That Can Harm Kids’ Brains
Nicole Knight · August 28, 2019
The EPA has decided not to ban the pesticide chlorpyrifos despite evidence that the chemical harms children's brains. It is relevant to note that Dow Chemical, manufacturer of the chemical, donated significantly to the Trump administration's inaugural events.
Legal DevelopmentsSeven Plaintiffs Refile J&J Talc Lawsuit to Prosecute Claire's and Others
James Parker · August 1, 2019
Judge George H. Wu of California granted case dismissal to seven plaintiffs in a talc lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson for their failure to label talc products. The plaintiffs will refile - adding more cases to their complaint and holding other companies liable.
Legal DevelopmentsMarketing Tactics Mislead Consumers, Says Latest Testimony Against J&J Mesh
James Parker · July 31, 2019
In the latest transvaginal mesh trial, led by California Attorney General Xavier Becerra, expert testimony speaks to the way Johnson & Johnson's advertisements mislead consumers. Surgeon Margolis believes their mesh causes "substantial, significant, irreversible damage," despite consumer-friendly ads.
Legal Developments$2 Billion Verdict Reduced in Roundup Cancer Case
Lauren Styx · July 29, 2019
In May, a jury awarded the amount of $2 billion in punitive damages and $55 million in compensatory damages to a California couple who developed cancer after years of exposure to Roundup weedkiller. Last week, the California judge significantly reduced the award in this historic Roundup cancer case.
Legal DevelopmentsOklahoma Opioid Trial Reveals Johnson & Johnson Pushed Opioids
James Parker · June 25, 2019
Oklahoma's latest opioid trial revealed that Johnson & Johnson pressured doctors to sell "more and more opioids." During proceedings, It also came to light that J&J heavily profited from its two subsidiaries Noramco and Tasmanian Alkaloids - major players in U.S. opioid epidemic.
Legal DevelopmentsGuardians Act Would Require Doctors to File Adverse Event Reports
Nicole Knight · June 4, 2019
A new bill was introduced in the House of Representatives, inspired by Dr. Amy Reed whose cancer was spread by a medical device called a power morcellator. The Medical Device Guardians Act would require doctors to report unsafe devices to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Legal DevelopmentsOklahoma Begins Historic Opioid Trial Against Johnson & Johnson
Emma Schkloven · May 31, 2019
The trial will determine if Johnson & Johnson used deceptive marketing to downplay the risks of opioid painkillers, contributing to the public health crisis that has reportedly claimed the lives of 4,600 Oklahoma residents.
Legal DevelopmentsOpioid Link Has Sackler Family Donations Declined By Museums
S. Nicole Lane · May 23, 2019
The Sackler family has profited for years from their personal connections to Purdue Pharma amid the opioid crisis. Now, esteemed museums like the Met, Tate Modern, and the Guggenheim decline the Sackler Family Donations following public backlash.
Legal DevelopmentsJ&J Mesothelioma Talc Verdict in New York May Exceed $25 Million
James Parker · May 22, 2019
A New York jury issued a $25 million verdict against J&J for its part in causing a 66-year-old woman's asbestos-related cancer. The woman, Donna Olson, used J&J's talc products for decades.
Legal DevelopmentsMonsanto to Pay $2 Billion to California Couple in Latest Roundup Case
Lauren Styx · May 20, 2019
Last Monday, in the most recent of three similar Roundup case verdicts, a California jury ruled in favor of couple Alva and Alberta Pilliod. The couple claimed that long-term exposure Roundup on their Northern California property caused severe health issues.
Legal DevelopmentsMonsanto Held Liable for Cereal Farmer's Sickness in France
Nicole Knight · April 30, 2019
A French court sided with a cereal farmer who claimed Monsanto’s Lasso weedkiller made him sick, claiming the product’s label inadequately warned him of its risks.
Legal DevelopmentsPurdue Settles for $270 Million in Oklahoma's Opioid Crisis
James Parker · April 17, 2019
The state of Oklahoma and Purdue Pharmaceuticals have agreed to a $270 million settlement to help combat the crippling issue of opioid addiction in rural America.
Legal DevelopmentsSecond Jury Links Roundup to Cancer, $80 Million Verdict
Carah Wertheimer · March 30, 2019
Today the jury ordered Monsanto to pay $80 million in damages for 70-year-old Edwin Hardeman’s non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, who sprayed his 56-acre property with Roundup for 26 years.
Legal DevelopmentsSan Francisco Jury Calls Roundup a "Substantial Factor" in Cancer Case
Carah Wertheimer · March 21, 2019
In the recent Monsanto Roundup trial, six jurors in a San Francisco federal court unanimously decided that Roundup (glyphosate), the world’s most widely-used herbicide, was likely a “substantial factor” in causing Edwin Hardeman's non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
Legal Developments3 Legal Cases Fighting Dangerous Products in 2019
Carah Wertheimer · March 7, 2019
Johnson & Johnson's talcum powder, Monsanto's Roundup and the chilling opioid crisis have recently been in the headlines as legal teams attempt to get justice for thousands of injured individuals. Here's our breakdown of the top three legal cases to watch in 2019.
Legal DevelopmentsBiologist Testified on Talc in Dying Woman's Lungs in California Trial
Nicole Knight · March 4, 2019
A biologist testified that asbestos in talcum powder was found in a dying woman's lungs, according to a recent California jury trial.
Legal DevelopmentsNew Talcum Powder Warning Label Case in California
Carah Wertheimer · February 6, 2019
Johnson & Johnson's legal troubles have taken a new turn, now focused on the talcum powder warning label. Under California's Proposition 65, companies must issue warnings if products expose customers to known cancer-causing agents.
Legal DevelopmentsMonsanto Verdict Reduced to $78.5 Million, Chemo Brain May Affect Second Trial
Nicole Knight · November 5, 2018
A California judge has chopped a landmark $289-million jury verdict. The Monsanto Roundup verdict now sits at $78.5 million.
Legal DevelopmentsWhat Happened in the First Trial Linking Monsanto's Roundup to Lymphoma
Nicole Knight · September 24, 2018
Johnson, who received a favorable $289-million verdict, claimed Monsanto had long known of the cancer risks of glyphosate but failed to warn consumers of the dangers.
Legal Developments22 Women Win Talcum Powder Cancer Case
James Parker · August 16, 2018
A Missouri jury awarded $4.69 billion to compensate women who reportedly developed talcum powder ovarian cancer, delivering the largest product-defect verdict in U.S. history.
Legal DevelopmentsHalf the Nation Unites Against Opioid Manufacturer
James Parker · July 6, 2018
In a crackdown attempt to fight the opioid crisis, 26 states are taking legal action against a major OxyContin manufacturer.
Legal DevelopmentsTexas Firefighter Awarded $1.2 Million for Failed Blood Clot Filter
Ashley Lombardo · July 4, 2018
A Houston firefighter who claimed a Cook Celect IVC filter caused him serious pain and injuries has been awarded $1.2 million by a Texas state jury.
Legal Developments$28 Million Xarelto Verdict Draws Attention to U.S. Bleeding Risk
Ashley Lombardo · December 15, 2017
An Indiana woman was awarded a million-dollar Xarelto verdict after she developed GI bleeds without knowing the risks.
Legal DevelopmentsWhat the Arrest of Billionaire John Kapoor Means for Opioid Dependency
Ashley Lombardo · November 1, 2017
Pharma executive John Kapoor was arrested for pushing doctors to prescribe a powerful narcotic opioid known as Subsys.
Legal DevelopmentsMonsanto Lawsuit Debate Over Roundup's Link to Cancer Continues
Ashley Lombardo · October 18, 2017
Lawyers continue to debate allegations that glyphosate, the main ingredient in Monsanto's herbicide Roundup, can cause cancer.
Legal DevelopmentsDoes Baby Powder Contain Asbestos?
Ashley Lombardo · October 11, 2017
Concerns over talcum powder's link to ovarian cancer and mesothelioma have left courts in St. Louis asking if baby powder contains asbestos.
Legal DevelopmentsTaxotere Lawsuits More Than Double in 2017
Ashley Lombardo · September 13, 2017
The number of Taxotere lawsuits pending in federal court has more than doubled in 2017, almost tripling since 2016.
Legal DevelopmentsJury Awards $417M in California Talcum Powder Lawsuit
Ashley Lombardo · August 22, 2017
A Los Angeles jury on Monday awarded a record $417 million in damages in a talcum powder lawsuit brought by a California woman.
Legal DevelopmentsMaker Of Benicar Agrees To Pay Up To $300M In Settlements
Ashley Lombardo · August 18, 2017
The cases stem from accusations that the manufacturer failed to warn the public about the severe side effects of Benicar and related drugs.
Legal DevelopmentsJudge Consolidates Invokana Lawsuits In New Jersey
Ashley Lombardo · February 13, 2017
On Dec. 7, 2016, the U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation ordered the cases be joined into a multidistrict legislation (MDL). More than 50 Invokana lawsuits related to the controversial diabetes drug have been consolidated in a U.S. District Court of New Jersey.
Legal DevelopmentsNew Jersey Court Awards $11 Million Mesh Settlement to Survivor
Ashley Lombardo · January 16, 2017
A New Jersey court awarded a mesh settlement more than $11 million to a South Dakota nurse surviving transvaginal mesh complications.
Legal DevelopmentsBristol-Myers Squibb Pays $19 Million in Multistate Settlement for Abilify’s Illegal Marketing
Ashley Lombardo · December 14, 2016
In a $19 million Abilify settlement, Bristol-Myers Squibb was found guilty of illegally marketed the antipsychotic for unapproved uses.
Legal DevelopmentsBayer Sued for Bleeding and Cramping Side Effects Linked to Essure
Ashley Lombardo · October 21, 2016
Plaintiffs have filed against Bayer AG for hiding dangers linked to the medical device Essure. The Essure lawsuit includes multiple charges.
Legal DevelopmentsGlaxoSmithKline Paid $3 Billion in Largest Fraud Settlement
Ashley Lombardo · October 12, 2016
GlaxoSmithKline was found guilty of off-label ads, hiding safety data and faulty price reporting in a billion-dollar drug fraud settlement.
Legal DevelopmentsWoman Takes Action Against Taxotere for Hair Loss Side Effect
Ashley Lombardo · October 3, 2016
Manufacturers didn't inform patients about the chemotherapy drug Taxotere's permanent hair loss risk. Ami Dodson took action and filed a lawsuit.
Legal DevelopmentsLegal System Works for Young Boy Who Developed Breasts
Ashley Lombardo · August 24, 2016
The legal system awarded $70 million to a 5-year-old boy who developed breasts in a Risperdal gynecomastia lawsuit.
Legal DevelopmentsJudge Supports Survivor of Talcum Powder Cancer With $55 Million
Ashley Lombardo · May 11, 2016
A St. Louis judge awarded $55 million to Gloria Ristesund, a woman who reportedly developed ovarian cancer after using Johnson & Johnson's talcum powder products for decades. The lawsuit is the second of its kind as 1,200 women plan to take action against Johnson & Johnson in the talc trials.
Legal Developments