Abstract:

Asbestos is a toxic mineral known to cause a variety of cancers, including ovarian cancer and mesothelioma. In 2018, investigations revealed Johnson & Johnson’s (J&J) talcum Baby Powder and Shower to Shower talc periodically tested positive for trace amounts of asbestos from at least 1971 to the early 2000s and J&J was aware, yet the products remained on the market. Now, J&J faces tens of thousands of lawsuits from cancer victims and their families, alleging that their cancers were caused by the asbestos-contaminated talcum powder (Levine & Spector, 2021). J&J is now considering a bankruptcy maneuver known as the “Texas two-step” which would block all the lawsuits and remove  any liability from J&J. This case study will examine how J&J was able to sell asbestos-contaminated products for over 30 years, the related legal processes, and the many different stakeholders involved.