Johnson & Johnson have been a titan of the pharmaceutical industry, with their products used to treat all kinds of ailments. It’s no surprise, then, that for such a large company, there have been several significant lawsuits against them.
More recently, Johnson & Johnson announced that they will stop selling talc-based baby powder globally in 2023. From allegations of failing to disclose the side effects of their drugs to cases involving wrongful death, here are some of the biggest legal battles Johnson & Johnson has faced over the years:
Tylenol Autism Lawsuit
The Tylenol autism lawsuit is based on the theory that acetaminophen, a drug found in Tylenol and other over-the-counter painkillers, can cause autism in children. Suppose a child is born with an underlying genetic predisposition to autism and is exposed to acetaminophen while still in utero. In that case, there’s a chance that their condition may be exacerbated by Tylenol consumption.
The lawsuit alleges that Johnson & Johnson knew about the risks associated with acetaminophen but concealed them from consumers to prevent the negative impact on its sales.
The company denies these claims and maintains that there is no scientific evidence linking autism with this drug or other topically applied medications such as cosmetics or shampoos. However, several studies have shown otherwise.
Infant Formula Contamination Lawsuit
Johnson & Johnson is facing a class action lawsuit over an infant formula contaminated with a toxic chemical called melamine. The lawsuit was filed on behalf of a group of parents who claim the company knowingly sold contaminated formula, even though it knew the chemical could cause kidney stones, renal failure, and death in young children.
The suit alleges that Johnson & Johnson chose to sell a tainted product rather than recall it, exposing millions of infants worldwide to dangerous levels of melamine. It also claims that Johnson & Johnson “willfully withheld and concealed” information about how dangerous its product was from consumers and regulators.
Ethicon Transvaginal Mesh Lawsuit
Johnson & Johnson is accused of using a defective product in their Ethicon Transvaginal Mesh Lawsuit. The lawsuit claims that the mesh used in the transvaginal mesh devices is defective, which can cause serious health problems for patients. The mesh can break apart and migrate to other body areas, causing pain, discomfort, and potentially life-threatening complications.
Lawyers handling these cases say that it’s hard to find reliable information about them because they are so new, but they estimate that there might be thousands more women who have been affected by this same problem but haven’t spoken up yet.
Risperdal Lawsuit
In 2010, a class action lawsuit was filed against Johnson & Johnson for their drug Risperdal. The drug was used to treat schizophrenia and bipolar disorder but had been linked to diabetes, stroke, and hyperglycemia. The lawsuit claimed that the company knew about these risks but continued to market the drug.
According to a recent report by Reuters, Johnson & Johnson has settled most of the lawsuits and disclosed that it recorded $800 million in expenses in connection to the agreement. The lawsuit was filed by numerous men who stated that the antipsychotic drug Risperdal caused them to develop excessive breast tissue.
DePuy ASR Hip Implant Recall
DePuy Orthopaedics was a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson that manufactured and marketed medical devices, including total hip replacement systems. In 2010, DePuy Orthopaedics recalled its ASR hip implant due to high failure rates. The recall was issued after it became clear that the device was causing severe health problems and even death in some patients.
The ASR hip implant has since been discontinued by Johnson & Johnson. However, lawsuits are still pending against them for damages related to injuries caused by defective products manufactured by other divisions within their company.
Johnson & Johnson Has Been Embroiled in Many Lawsuits
Johnson & Johnson has been involved in many lawsuits over the past few decades. Since the company produces pharmaceutical products, it’s no surprise that some lawsuits have come from patients harmed by their products. The company has also faced several cases related to its manufacturing processes, including one where they were accused of selling children’s toys containing toxic chemicals.
The most common lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson involves patients claiming the company’s products harmed them. These cases range from wrongful death suits to those involving injuries caused by toxic drugs or medical devices. Employees working for Johnson & Johnson can also sue their employer if they feel they were discriminated against or harassed at work.
Conclusion
Johnson & Johnson is one of the biggest pharmaceutical companies in the world. They have a wide range of products, from baby powder to band-aids and even condoms. But their management has not always been on point. Over the years, several lawsuits have been filed against them for various reasons, including false advertising, negligence, and fraudulence.