King & Spalding Secures Defense Jury Verdict for Johnson & Johnson in Cosmetic Talcum Powder Litigation

King & Spalding secured a defense verdict for Johnson & Johnson in Matthey v. Johnson & Johnson et al, the first post-bankruptcy win for Johnson & Johnson in the sprawling talcum powder litigation. In reaching its’ conclusion, the jury found that talc is safe, does not contain asbestos and does not cause cancer. The verdict furthers the plan Johnson & Johnson outlined last year, to pursue several parallel paths to achieve a comprehensive and final resolution of the talc litigation, including working with a vast majority of talc claimants on a consensual resolution of similar claims through bankruptcy. While those negotiations are proceeding, Johnson & Johnson will continue to defend the talc claims in the tort system, with King & Spalding and others leading the effort in courtrooms across the country.   The King & Spalding team includes Morty Dubin, Katy Lehman, Val Leppert, Matt Bush, Spencer Diamond, Brittany Litzinger and Jake Keester. Luis Fermin provided paralegal assistance. To learn more about the science supporting the safety of talc, click here.