J&J Turned Away by U.S. Supreme Court Over Talc Cancer Suits

  • Justices let stand ruling that states can sue company
  • J&J faces 38,000 lawsuits over talc-related health claims

   

Photographer: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
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The U.S. Supreme Court turned away a Johnson & Johnson appeal that sought to create a broad shield from lawsuits accusing the company of failing to warn consumers that its iconic baby powder could cause cancer.

The justices, without comment, on Monday left intact a Mississippi Supreme Court ruling that let the state use its consumer protection laws to sue the company. J&J argued the suit was precluded by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s 2014 decision not to require a cancer warning on talcum-powder products after anti-cancer advocates requested them.