Fla. Federal Court Refuses to Stay Proceedings in Talcum Powder Ovarian Cancer Action

TAMPA, Fla. –– A Florida federal court has denied Johnson & Johnson’s efforts to stay an ovarian cancer talcum powder action, saying that pausing the proceedings would result in “significant prejudice” to the plaintiff.

In the June 7 opinion, the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida found that staying the case for what could be months “would unnecessarily slow down the case.”

Patricia A. Matthey filed the complaint in state court against Johnson & Johnson, Johnson & Johnson Consumer Inc., Publix Super Markets Inc., and Imerys Talc America Inc., contending that she developed ovarian cancer as a …