Johnson & Johnson’s Struggles Beyond the Talcum Powder Lawsuits

Johnson & Johnson is a name synonymous with household healthcare products and pharmaceutical innovations. However, the company has recently been in the spotlight for lawsuits related to its talcum powder, alleged to cause cancer. 

While these talcum powder lawsuits have garnered significant attention, they are just the tip of the iceberg. The company faces numerous other legal challenges related to their medical devices and pharmaceuticals, impacting thousands of individuals.

This article discusses three such famous lawsuits involving Johnson & Johnson subsidiaries. 

The DePuy Hip Implant Lawsuit

Johnson & Johnson’s subsidiary, DePuy Orthopaedics, has been embroiled in extensive litigation over its hip replacement products. The issues particularly involve the ASR Hip Resurfacing System, ASR XL Acetabular System, and Pinnacle Hip Solutions. 

These devices once heralded as innovations, have since been the focus of over 20,000 lawsuits due to high failure rates and severe complications. 

MDL 2244: Pinnacle Hip Implant Lawsuits

The Pinnacle Hip Solutions MDL, or multidistrict litigation, saw a peak of 10,581 cases. Although by 2024, no active lawsuits remained, the MDL technically remained open, signaling the protracted nature of this legal battle. 

Patients claimed that the metal-on-metal design of the Pinnacle implants caused tissue death, metal poisoning, and the need for painful revision surgeries. Despite DePuy settling 95% of the lawsuits, Drugwatch reports that Johnson & Johnson faced numerous sanctions for attempting to delay ongoing cases.

MDL 2197: ASR Hip Implant Lawsuits

While the Pinnacle MDL has mostly concluded, lawsuits concerning DePuy’s ASR implants persist. As of August 2024, 241 lawsuits remain in MDL 2197, underscoring the ongoing struggle of affected patients seeking justice. Internal documents revealed that DePuy predicted a significant failure rate for the ASR implants. Despite this, the devices remained on the market until 2010, after more than 93,000 surgeries had been performed.

The legal outcomes for Johnson & Johnson have been costly. DePuy has paid approximately $6.2 billion in settlements, including a staggering $1 billion in 2019 alone for Pinnacle-related cases. These financial penalties, however, do little to alleviate the physical and emotional pain endured by the affected patients.

What legal actions can be taken if I have suffered from problems with a DePuy hip implant?

Many patients have pursued legal action against DePuy Orthopaedics for compensation related to their implant problems. You may be eligible for a lawsuit or settlement if you have experienced complications. Consulting with a lawyer who specializes in medical device litigation can help you understand your legal options.

Ethicon Transvaginal Mesh Lawsuit: A Global Scandal

Another significant legal challenge for Johnson & Johnson has been the lawsuits surrounding the transvaginal mesh products sold by its subsidiary, Ethicon. These implants, intended to address pelvic organ prolapse and stress urinary incontinence, have led to serious complications for thousands of women globally.

The complications associated with Ethicon’s transvaginal mesh products have been devastating for many women, TorHoerman Law reports. These implants were intended to provide support for weakened pelvic organs. However, they have led to severe issues, including chronic pain, infection, organ perforation, and erosion of the mesh into surrounding tissues. 

Many women have experienced painful intercourse, urinary problems, and even the need for multiple corrective surgeries to remove the mesh, often without complete success. 

The physical and emotional toll of these complications has been significant. As a result, thousands of affected women have taken legal action through the transvaginal mesh lawsuit to seek justice for the harm caused.

The Australian Class Action

In 2022, Johnson & Johnson agreed to pay $300 million to settle the largest product liability class action in Australian history, The Guardian reports. This settlement followed years of litigation and a 2019 Federal Court ruling that found the company negligent in testing and marketing the mesh implants. 

The case involved 1,350 women initially, but thousands more are expected to join, highlighting the widespread impact of the defective products.

Global Impact

The Ethicon mesh scandal is not confined to Australia. Over 100,000 women globally have experienced complications, including chronic pain, infections, and the need for additional surgeries. Financial Review notes that Johnson & Johnson has paid over $11.7 billion in settlements worldwide, though the company has consistently denied any wrongdoing.

What is organ perforation?

Organ perforation refers to a hole or tear that develops in the wall of an internal organ. This can lead to leakage of organ contents into the abdominal or chest cavity, which can cause serious complications and require immediate medical attention.

Risperdal Lawsuit

The Risperdal lawsuit is another major legal battle for Johnson & Johnson. It involves allegations that the company’s subsidiary, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, promoted the drug for off-label uses, leading to serious side effects in patients.

Risperdal, an antipsychotic medication, was widely prescribed to children and adults despite not being FDA-approved for pediatric use at the time. Many plaintiffs in the lawsuits developed gynecomastia, a condition characterized by abnormal breast tissue growth in males. This often required surgical correction.

Massive Settlements

By 2021, Johnson & Johnson had settled the majority of the 9,000 pending lawsuits, recording $800 million in expenses for these settlements. According to Forbes, this followed earlier settlements in 2013, where the company paid $2.2 billion to resolve charges related to off-label promotion. 

In 2019, a jury awarded $8 billion in damages to a plaintiff, making it one of the largest verdicts in pharmaceutical litigation history. However, a judge later reduced the amount to $6.8 million.

The Risperdal lawsuits have resulted in substantial financial losses for Johnson & Johnson. They have also raised ethical questions about the company’s marketing practices and its responsibility toward patients.

What causes gynecomastia?

Gynecomastia can be caused by hormonal imbalances, particularly an excess of estrogen relative to testosterone. Other factors include puberty, aging, certain medications, underlying health conditions, and substance use such as alcohol and anabolic steroids.

The lawsuits involving Johnson & Johnson and its subsidiaries reflect the complex and often troubling intersection of healthcare innovation and patient safety. While the company continues to develop products that improve lives, these legal battles reveal the significant human cost when medical products fail. 

As these cases unfold, they highlight the need for rigorous testing, transparent marketing, and accountability in the healthcare industry.