Calif. Court Declares Mistrial in Asbestos-Containing Talc Case Against J&J, Imerys Talc, Cites Improper Reference to Ovarian Cancer

LOS ANGELES –– A California judge overseeing an asbestos trial involving Johnson & Johnson’s Baby Powder and Shower-to-Shower talcum powder products has declared a mistrial just days into testimony, sources confirmed to HarrisMartin.

On Oct. 10, Judge C. Edward Simpson of the California Superior Court for Los Angeles County ended the trial after a witness testifying referenced ovarian cancer. Mentioning ovarian cancer in the current asbestos trial had been precluded by a pretrial ruling.

In the original complaint, filed Jan. 10, 2017, plaintiffs Tina and Douglas Herford argued that Tina developed malignant mesothelioma as a result of using the defendants’ …