Tort

Massachusetts Court Rejects Business Tort Claims, Citing Jurisdictional Issues

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BOSTON — A Massachusetts federal judge has dismissed several business tort claims due to a lack of personal jurisdiction over the defendants, emphasizing the importance of jurisdictional standards in legal proceedings. This ruling highlights ongoing challenges in establishing connections between plaintiffs and defendants in business litigation. The case revolved around allegations against a firm whose primary operations and personnel were based outside Massachusetts. The judge determined that the plaintiffs failed to demonstrate enough of a link between the defendants and the state to warrant jurisdiction. This decision underscores the necessity for plaintiffs to thoroughly establish … Read more

Johnson & Johnson Faces Legal Setback as Talc Bankruptcy Court Ruling Shakes Tort Landscape

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Johnson & Johnson faced a significant legal setback as a recent ruling from a federal bankruptcy judge dismissed the company’s efforts to shield itself from thousands of lawsuits over its talcum powder products. The U.S. Bankruptcy Court decision, delivered in Charlotte, North Carolina, signals a challenging path ahead for the multinational corporation, which has fought numerous claims linking its talc products to cancer. The ruling comes after Johnson & Johnson sought bankruptcy protection for a subsidiary intended to consolidate and resolve liability claims stemming from allegations that its talc products contained asbestos. Many plaintiffs have … Read more

Johnson & Johnson’s Talc Turmoil: Bankruptcy Court Ruling Signals Setback in Tort Battles

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CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Johnson & Johnson faced a significant setback in a bankruptcy court this week, as a judge dismissed the company’s attempt to mitigate its financial liabilities related to talc product litigation. The ruling underscores a growing backlash against companies utilizing bankruptcy protections to manage mass tort claims. In a decisive ruling, U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Michael Kaplan determined that Johnson & Johnson’s strategy to transfer its talc liabilities to a newly formed entity was unconvincing and not a legitimate use of the bankruptcy system. The company had argued that this restructuring would help it … Read more

Federal Judge Sentences Tom Girardi as New Mass Tort Dockets Emerge in Hair Relaxer and Talcum Powder Cases

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Los Angeles, California — In a significant legal development, a federal judge has sentenced 86-year-old Tom Girardi, who suffers from dementia, to over seven years in federal prison. Girardi, once a prominent attorney, has faced escalating legal troubles, culminating in this latest sentence reflecting his involvement in various fraudulent activities. Meanwhile, in Philadelphia, the Court of Common Pleas has initiated two new mass tort dockets pertaining to hair relaxers and Johnson & Johnson’s talcum powder. This action aims to address growing concerns over the safety of these products and their link to serious health risks. … Read more