The U.S. Justice Department is pursuing a criminal investigation into whether pharmaceutical giants, Johnson & Johnson lied to the public about the possible cancer risks of its talcum powder. Here, the product liability attorneys at the Law Offices of Peter Angelos provide an update on the latest events surrounding the federal investigation.
A Criminal Probe Has Been Launched Against Johnson & Johnson Over Possibly Misleading Consumers
The criminal probe coincides with a regulatory investigation and civil claims by thousands of cancer patients that Johnson & Johnson’s Baby Powder talc was responsible for their illness. According to reports from Bloomberg a grand jury in Washington is examining documents related to what Johnson & Johnson officials knew about any carcinogens in their products. Johnson & Johnson are currently facing over 14,000 lawsuits from cancer patients claiming that the use of their talc products led to the development of their cancers.
Johnson & Johnson Officials State They are Cooperating with Investigators
During their annual report in February, Johnson & Johnson disclosed that they had received subpoenas from both the Justice Department and Securities Exchange Commission related to the ongoing baby powder litigation but did not provide any further details.
Johnson & Jonson released a statement on Friday saying that there had been no further developments and that they are cooperating with investigators. “We have been fully cooperating with the previously disclosed DOJ investigation and will continue to do so,” said J&J spokeswoman Kim Montagnino. “Johnson’s Baby Powder does not contain asbestos or cause cancer, as supported by decades of independent clinical evidence.”
A Reuters Report Claims Johnson & Johnson Products are Tainted with Asbestos
A Reuters news agency investigative article found and stated that Johnson & Johnson was aware of traces of asbestos in their baby powder for decades. The report, which came out in late 2018, also found that Johnson & Johnson’s raw talc powder had tested positive for trace amounts of asbestos on many occasions between 1971 to 2003, yet the company intentionally concealed the information from consumers. After the Reuters report was published, Johnson & Johnson denied the allegations and continues to defend the safety of their products.
Consult the Product Liability Attorneys at The Law Offices of Peter Angelos
The U.S. Department of Justice’s criminal investigation into allegations against Johnson & Johnson’s prior knowledge and disregard of their asbestos laced products coincides with years of litigation against the company surrounding claims that their talc products resulted in cancer in thousands of individuals. If you or a loved one developed severe health conditions after using Johnson & Johnson’s talc-containing products, contact the Law Offices of Peter Angelos for a no fee consultation today