Imerys SA Files Deal To Settle Talc Asbestos Cancer Claims

The supplier of talc for Johnson's Baby Powder had sought bankruptcy protection from thousands of talc asbestos cancer lawsuits

Friday, May 15, 2020 - Imerys SA is the world's leader in providing minerals to industries including providing talc to the cosmetics industry in the United States. Johnson & Johnson's supplier of talc reached a deal the other day to settle the lawsuits it was named alongside Johnson & Johnson as co-defendant over accusations that the talc it mines and sells to cosmetics companies is contaminated with asbestos, a known carcinogen. Imerys SA has been alleged to have supplied Johnson & Johnson with the talc that makes up Johnson's Baby Powder and is accuses by thousands of people with cancer of causing their disease. Imerys SA had filed for bankruptcy to give themselves more time to sort out the hundreds of multi-million dollar lawsuits against them. Talc is the mineral used in hundreds of cosmetic products and is the main ingredient in Johnson's Baby Powder. As part of the company's bankruptcy agreement reached in United States Bankruptcy Court in the District of Delaware, the company is expected to set aside hundreds of millions of dollars to satisfy claims against them both past and future, as well as sell their North American assets. According to WHTC, "the plan to resolve the issue would consist of a minimum cash payment of $75 million, and a further amount of up to $102.5 million subject to a reduction mechanism proportionate to the sale price for the assets of its North American talc subsidiaries. Imerys said the agreement had been filed in the United States Bankruptcy Court in the District of Delaware and was expected to lead to a sale of the assets of its North America talc subsidiaries." Talcum powder cancer lawyers have vast experience and a winning track record litigating against big pharmaceutical companies and offer a free consultation and no obligation to file a case.

Imerys SA has taken the approach of settling asbestos talc cases rather than risk the multi-million dollar jury awards that have been dished out to women with ovarian cancer and men and women who have suffered and died from mesothelioma, a cancer of the lining of the lungs and signature disease of asbestos. In June of 2018, Imreys settled with 22 plaintiffs that were suing Johnson & Johnson alleging talc caused their ovarian cancer for an undisclosed amount thought to be over $5 million each. In that case, a jury ordered Johnson & Johnson to pay $4.69 billion to the 22 plaintiffs consisting of mostly punitive damages. According to Reuters around 9000 individuals have named Imreys SA as being partly responsible for causing their cancer. Imerys SA was forced to pay $25 million in talc cancer verdicts and settlements the year before. As a result of the staggering mountain of lawsuits against them and Johnson & Johnson, the company was forced to file bankruptcy in 2018. Plaintiffs suing Johnson & Johnson were recently awarded $750 million for their suffering from mesothelioma from using and inhaling Johnson's Baby Powder over their lifetimes, making Imreys' decision to seek protection look like the smart thing to do.