An Illinois judge held Johnson & Johnson in contempt of court today along with one of its key witnesses in an ongoing talc trial over the witness’s failure to appear for continued cross-examination. Judge Christopher Kolker struck the testimony of Dr. Susan Nicholson, vice president of Women’s Health for Johnson & Johnson and told the jury that the company and Nicholson are in contempt of court.
Beasley Allen Law Firm represents Colleen Cadagin, the niece of a woman who died from ovarian cancer linked to her use of Johnson & Johnson’s talc-based products. The firm has represented thousands of women who developed ovarian cancer after using Johnson & Johnson talcum powder for feminine hygiene.
Beasley Allen Law Firm founder, Jere Beasley, had this to say about the case development:
“The contempt order by the judge in the ongoing Illinois jury trial is just an indication of how Johnson & Johnson has no respect for the law nor the judicial system. The company has shown no respect for the FDA nor any regulatory agency and has lied constantly to them about the great risk to the public about its talcum products.
But more importantly, Johnson & Johnson has shown no feeling, concern or respect for the thousands of innocent women that it has killed over the years. In fact, Johnson & Johnson targeted African American women who the studies showed were the largest users of the talc products.”
— Jere Beasley, Founding Attorney
Following Dr. Nicholson’s order of contempt, Judge Kolker explained that Dr. Nicholson’s testimony would be struck from the record, and Beasley Allen’s Leigh O’Dell will be allowed to present what she would have established on cross-examination with Dr. Nicholson.
The case is Cadagin v. Johnson & Johnson et al, No. 18-L-572, and the trial is taking place in the 20th Judicial Circuit Court of St. Clair County, Illinois. O’Dell, along with Beasley Allen lawyer Ted Meadows lead the firm’s Talc Litigation team.
Related:
J&J Held in Contempt of Court After Its Witness Fails to Appear in Talc Trial. (2021, July 26). Law.com. https://www.law.com/2021/07/26/jj-held-in-contempt-of-court-after-its-witness-fails-to-appear-in-talc-trial/
Johnson & Johnson Held In Contempt In Illinois Talc Trial. (2021, July 27). Law360.com. https://www.law360.com/articles/1406842
