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☆ Jurors urged to impose heavy punitive damages in J&J talc trial
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-10 | by ( Brendan Pierson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

J&J has consistently denied that its now-discontinued talc baby powder contains asbestos or causes cancer. Satterley asked jurors to award Hernandez punitive damages about nine times greater than so-called compensatory damages, which include $3.8 million for his medical costs as well as damages for pain and suffering. The U.S. Supreme Court has found that punitive damages should generally be no more than nine times compensatory damages, and that a higher ratio can be reduced on appeal as excessive. J&J has said its talc products are safe and do not contain asbestos, which has been linked to mesothelioma. J&J said in bankruptcy court filings that the costs of its talc-related verdicts, settlements and legal fees have reached about $4.5 billion.

Persons: Johnson, Mike Segar, ” Joseph Satterley, Emory Hernandez Valadez, Satterley, Hernandez, Allison Brown, “, Michael Kaplan, LTL, J Organizations: Reuters, REUTERS, Alameda County Superior Court, U.S, Supreme, LTL Management, LTL’s Locations: California, Johnson, New York, Alameda County, Trenton , New Jersey

☆ Here's why we're bullish on this mega-cap stock and cautious on this health name
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-10 | by ( Morgan Chittum | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Earnings and inflation Watch J & J Strong outlook for Meta 1. J & J has maintained its talc products do not and have not contained asbestos and are not cancer-causing. Strong outlook for Meta Meta Platforms' (META) Threads, a Twitter rival, reported over 100 million user signs up since announcing its launch late last week. THE ABOVE INVESTING CLUB INFORMATION IS SUBJECT TO OUR TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND PRIVACY POLICY , TOGETHER WITH OUR DISCLAIMER . NO FIDUCIARY OBLIGATION OR DUTY EXISTS, OR IS CREATED, BY VIRTUE OF YOUR RECEIPT OF ANY INFORMATION PROVIDED IN CONNECTION WITH THE INVESTING CLUB.

Persons: Jim Cramer, Wells, Johnson, Jim Cramer's, Jim Organizations: CNBC, Meta, Dow, Federal, Johnson, Evercore Locations: U.S, California

☆ 'We had no choice': Two best friends bought and renovated a crumbling Victorian house together because it's nearly impossible to buy one alone
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-07 | by ( Lauren Crosmedlicott | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

Olamide Soyemi and Cullen FarleighThey were surprised in September 2019 to hear from a specialist mortgage advisor that they could secure a £500,000 mortgage. "When we started freelancing as ad creatives, we had a dream to transition into making our own content," Soyemi said. Olamide Soyemi and Cullen FarleighA few weeks later, a bit of the kitchen floor felt spongy. "It's the nightmare thing to have in your house," Farleigh said. Olamide Soyemi and Cullen Farleigh"This house has become more than just a possible asset — more than just a house," Soyemi said.

Persons: —, Olamide Soyemi, Cullen Farleigh, Cullen Farleigh Soyemi, Farleigh, Soyemi, Dad Poor, Elizabeth, lockdowns, Cullen, They're, dabble, It's Organizations: Service, Farleigh Locations: London, Soyemi, Farleigh, Central London, East London, Victoria

☆ "We had no choice": Two best friends bought and renovated a crumbling Victorian house together because it's nearly impossible to buy one alone
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-07 | by ( Lauren Crosmedlicott | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

The deal has divided lawyers representing cancer victims, many of whom claim that J&J has created the illusion of widespread support for a settlement that would deny plaintiffs just compensation. Johnson & Johnson is attempting to use the second bankruptcy of its subsidiary LTL Management to resolve all current and future claims stemming from its talc products. LTL quickly filed for bankruptcy again, arguing that its second effort has won more support from plaintiffs. The proposed settlement would resolve all of those unfiled claims, as well as any future claim alleging that a J&J talc product caused cancer. Mikal Watts, an attorney who supports the deal and says he has 17,000 talc clients, said that he did not agree with J&J statements about "secured commitments."

Persons: Brendan McDermid, Johnson, Johnson's, LTL's, LTL, U.S . Justice Department's, Moshe Maimon, Mikal Watts, Watts, Jim Murdica, Maimon, Murdica, Michael Kaplan, Kaplan, Dietrich Knauth, Alexia Garamfalvi, Stephen Coates Organizations: REUTERS, Johnson, Management, U.S . Justice, J, Thomson Locations: New York City, U.S, Trenton , New Jersey

JECFA, the WHO committee on additives, is also reviewing aspartame use this year. The first group includes substances from processed meat to asbestos, which all have convincing evidence showing they cause cancer, IARC says. Like aspartame, this means there is either limited evidence they can cause cancer in humans, sufficient evidence in animals, or strong evidence about the characteristics. Pepsico removed aspartame from sodas in 2015, bringing it back a year later, only to remove it again in 2020. Listing aspartame as a possible carcinogen is intended to motivate more research, said the sources close to the IARC, which will help agencies, consumers and manufacturers draw firmer conclusions.

Persons: Coke, Shannon Stapleton, Health Organization's, JECFA, Nozomi Tomita, Zsuzsanna, Germany’s Bayer, IARC, Frances Hunt, Wood, Mars Wrigley, Kate Loatman, –, Jennifer Rigby, Richa Naidu, Michele Gershberg, Mark Potter, Susan Fenton Organizations: REUTERS, International Agency for Research, Cancer, Health, Reuters, Joint WHO, Food, Agriculture Organization's, WHO, Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour, Welfare, Food Safety Authority, U.S, International, Association, Cargill, International Council of Beverages Associations, Ramazzini Institute, EFSA, Pepsico, Thomson Locations: New York City, U.S, United States, Europe, Geneva, France, Italy, sodas

☆ J&J's $8.9 billion talc settlement faces US bankruptcy test
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-27 | by ( Dietrich Knauth | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

J&J has said its talc products are safe and do not contain asbestos. Attorneys representing cancer victims, along with the U.S. Justice Department's bankruptcy watchdog, have called for LTL's second bankruptcy to be dismissed as an abuse of U.S. bankruptcy law. Cancer victims who oppose the bankruptcy settlement have said that the second bankruptcy recycles a failed legal strategy to keep their cases from being heard by juries. Circuit Court of Appeals, has said he expects to rule on whether to dismiss LTL's second bankruptcy by early August. Erik Haas, J&J's worldwide vice president for litigation, said in a statement last week that the proposed bankruptcy settlement offers a fairer and faster resolution for cancer claimants than litigation in other courts.

Persons: Johnson, LTL Management's, LTL, U.S . Justice Department's, recycles, Michael Kaplan, Kaplan, LTL's, John Kim, Jim Murdica, Mikal Watts, Erik Haas, J, Watts, Dietrich Knauth, Alexia Garamfalvi, Will Dunham Organizations: Johnson, U.S . Justice, Circuit, J, Thomson Locations: New Jersey, Trenton, Philadelphia, LTL, New York

Companies Johnson & Johnson FollowJune 26 (Reuters) - A California man suing Johnson & Johnson (JNJ.N) told jurors on Monday how his life was upended by a cancer diagnosis that he blames on using the company's baby powder since childhood, as the first trial over the product in nearly two years neared its end. J&J has denied that its baby powder contained asbestos or causes cancer. He also said he did not remember his doctor ever telling him that baby powder caused his cancer. Earlier in the day, jurors heard from Hernandez's mother, Anna Camacho, who said she used large amounts of J&J's baby powder on her son when he was a baby and through childhood. Hernandez's trial, expected to conclude later this week, comes as J&J seeks to resolve thousands of similar talc lawsuits through a settlement.

Persons: Johnson, Emory Hernandez, J, Hernandez, Anthony, Allison Brown, Anna Camacho, Michael Kaplan, Kaplan, Brendan Pierson, Alexia Garamfalvi, Matthew Lewis Organizations: Johnson, Alameda County Superior Court, View, LTL Management, Chief U.S, U.S, Thomson Locations: California, Alameda County, Emory, Trenton , New Jersey, New Jersey, New York

☆ These 3 stocks are troubled but I'm not ready to give up
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-20 | by ( Jim Cramer | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) is also a head-scratcher. EL YTD mountain Estee Lauder YTD performance Estee Lauder just shocks me. Estee Lauder, at the end of this week, acted like there was something going on, but I can't fathom what it might be. That said, there's a suit going on in Northern California with a dying 24-year-old man claiming that excess use of J & J baby powder is to blame, which could make $8.9 billion look small. Bottom line Johnson & Johnson, Estee Lauder and Danaher are why this business of stock picking and running a portfolio can be so daunting.

Persons: Estee Lauder, Johnson, Danaher's, Lauder, Houdini, Fabrizio Freda, Alex Gorsky, there's, Danaher, Jim Cramer's, Jim Cramer, Jim, Spencer Platt Organizations: CNBC, New York Stock Exchange, Getty Locations: Swiss, Roche, China, Cava, CAVA, Northern California, New York City

☆ Abandoned stores are coming back to life as pickleball courts, thanks to startups ready to cash in on the trend
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-12 | by ( Avery Hartmans | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Pickleball courts are taking over old big-box stores and mall anchor tenants. This Richmond Macy's, which is located inside Regency Square Mall, is just one of dozens of malls, former department stores, and former big-box stores across the country being turned into pickleball facilities. Laaser said former anchor tenants like Macy's are perfect for pickleball, since they're "basically just big boxes" sitting empty inside declining malls. There's a 'gold rush' on indoor pickleball courtsAn indoor pickleball facility operated by The Picklr inside an old Staples store. It's led to an explosion in companies that make pickleball equipment and, more recently, dedicated pickleball facilities.

Persons: —, Jon Laaser, Richmond, Laaser, pickleball, It's, Steve Kuhn, Major League Pickleball, Pickleball, Kuhn, Jorge Barragan, Barragan, There's, liquidators, it's, we've Organizations: Service, Staples, Sports & Fitness Industry Association, Major League, Party City Locations: Richmond , Virginia, Regency, Richmond, pickleball, Arizona Mills, Tempe , Arizona, Utah, Colorado

☆ US judge rejects 3M effort to resolve earplug lawsuits in bankruptcy
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-09 | by ( Dietrich Knauth | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

NEW YORK (Reuters) -A U.S. judge on Friday dismissed the bankruptcy of 3M subsidiary Aearo Technologies, rejecting an effort to resolve nearly 260,000 lawsuits alleging that 3M military earplugs caused hearing loss for veterans and U.S. service members. 3M and Aearo had argued that the earplug litigation had spiraled out of control and could be resolved only in bankruptcy. Graham acknowledged that the earplug litigation was “staggering,” representing 30% of all cases currently pending in the federal district courts. Those appeals could “fundamentally change the trajectory” of the earplug lawsuits, 3M said. 3M’s bankruptcy strategy mirrors a similar effort by Johnson & Johnson, which has attempted to resolve lawsuits through the bankruptcy of a newly created subsidiary, LTL Management.

Persons: Brendan McDermid, Jeffrey Graham, Aearo, Graham, Bryan Aylstock, Chris Seeger, ” “, ” Aylstock, Seeger, Johnson, J, LTL Organizations: YORK, Aearo Technologies, New York Stock Exchange, REUTERS, 3M, Aearo, U.S, Circuit, Johnson, LTL Management Locations: U.S, New York City, Indianapolis, Pensacola , Florida, Florida

☆ This 36-year-old bought an abandoned house for just $1 and fully renovated it—look inside her 'dream home'
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-03 | by ( Maxine Sharples | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

In February 2020, I officially got the keys to my new home: a two-bedroom, 796-square-foot Victorian house that I bought for £1. Now the bedrooms are on the first floor, and the kitchen and living area is upstairs. Today, my house has been remodeled to maximize light and has made headlines in the U.K. for its novel use of space. Zoom In Icon Arrows pointing outwards When I started the renovations, there were crumbling bricks everywhere I looked. The open kitchen and living area is one of my favorite places in the house.

Persons: Maxine Sharples, John O'Mahony, I've Organizations: Webster, CNBC Locations: Liverpool

☆ 36-year-old bought an abandoned house for $1 and fully renovated it—take a look inside: It's my 'dream home'
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-02 | by ( Maxine Sharples | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

In February 2020, I officially got the keys to my new home: a two-bedroom, 796-square-foot Victorian house that I bought for £1. Now the bedrooms are on the first floor, and the kitchen and living area is upstairs. Today, my house has been remodeled to maximize light and has made headlines in the U.K. for its novel use of space. So I moved the bedrooms to the first floor, and the kitchen and living room to the second floor. The open kitchen and living area is one of my favorite places in the house.

Persons: Maxine Sharples, John O'Mahony, I've Organizations: Webster, CNBC Locations: Liverpool

The company has denied that its talc contains asbestos, which is linked to mesothelioma, or causes cancer. J&J in a statement on Wednesday said it "deeply sympathizes with anyone suffering from cancer and understands they are looking for answers. It is the company's second attempt to resolve talc claims in bankruptcy, after a federal appeals court rejected an earlier bid. Still, the outcome of the trial could influence whether other plaintiffs decide to join in the proposed settlement. J&J and LTL have argued bankruptcy delivers settlement payouts more fairly, efficiently and equitably than a “lottery” offered by trial courts, where some litigants get large awards and others nothing.

Persons: Johnson, Emory Hernandez, Joseph Satterley, Hernandez, Satterley, J, Michael Kaplan, LTL, Brendan Pierson, Alexia Garamfalvi, Bill Berkrot Organizations: Johnson, Wednesday, LTL Management, LTL's, Thomson Locations: Alameda County , California, Trenton , New Jersey, New York

☆ The retail apocalypse left dead malls and shuttered big-box stores scattered across the US — now, pickleball is coming to the rescue
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-27 | by ( Avery Hartmans | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Pickleball courts are taking over old big-box stores and mall anchor tenants. This Richmond Macy's, which is located inside Regency Square Mall, is just one of dozens of malls, former department stores, and former big-box stores across the country being turned into pickleball facilities. The retail apocalypse that swept through brick-and-mortar stores over the last decade-plus left in its wake large, empty shells begging to be repurposed — now, entrepreneurial pickleball enthusiasts are coming to the rescue. Laaser said former anchor tenants like Macy's are perfect for pickleball, since they're "basically just big boxes" sitting empty inside declining malls. There's a 'gold rush' on indoor pickleball courtsAn indoor pickleball facility operated by The Picklr inside an old Staples store.

☆ Scientists may have discovered the first antidote to the deadliest mushroom known to humans
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-21 | by ( Rupendra Brahambhatt | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Death cap mushrooms kill up to 100 people per year and sicken thousands more but have no antidote. Scientists used CRISPR to help identify a chemical that could become the first death cap antidote. A recent study in Nature Communications finally found a possible death cap mushroom antidote. A death cap mushroom antidote is long-awaitedMushroom foragers can easily mistake death cap mushrooms for other edible fungi. When the researchers tested ICG in mice poisoned with the death cap mushroom toxin, the results were eye-opening.

☆ Exclusive: Staff at top U.S. farm research center file complaint alleging unsafe work conditions
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-19 | by ( Leah Douglas | Thomson Reuters | Washington-Based Award-Winning Journalist Covering Agriculture | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +11 min

The Beltsville Agricultural Research Center (BARC) near Washington D.C. is the largest research facility owned by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and has long been the flagship of U.S. farm research. “Our employees’ health and well-being is our top priority," a spokesperson at USDA’s Agricultural Research Service (ARS), which oversees BARC, told Reuters. STAFF CUTSFounded in 1910, the BARC facility spans nearly 7,000 acres in Prince George’s County, Maryland, near the nation’s capital. The unreliable conditions are affecting research outcomes, making it at times impossible to complete experiments or replicate their findings, said two research employees. On February 22, several BARC employees met with Thomas Shanower, the director of USDA’s Northeast Area, a division that oversees 15 research centers, including BARC.

Companies Johnson & Johnson FollowApril 27 (Reuters) - Johnson & Johnson (JNJ.N) said on Thursday it has agreed to retain all talc-related liabilities arising from litigation in the United States and Canada and will "indemnify" newly formed consumer health unit Kenvue for all costs. "As unequivocally and unambiguously stated, Johnson & Johnson has agreed to retain all the talc-related liabilities -and indemnify Kenvue for any and all costs - arising from litigation in the United States and Canada. Any suggestion to the contrary is false and misleading," Erik Haas, vice president of litigation, Johnson & Johnson, said in a statement. The news comes as Johnson & Johnson (J&J) seeks a valuation of up to $42.95 billion for Kenvue in its initial public offering. Their lawsuit claims Justin Bergeron contracted mesothelioma, a cancer associated with asbestos exposure, as a result of using J&J talc, FT reported.

Organizations: & $

☆ U.S. bankruptcy judge halts 40,000 Johnson & Johnson talc and cancer lawsuits
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-20 | by ( Annika Kim Constantino | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

In this photo illustration, a container of Johnson and Johnson baby powder is displayed on April 05, 2023 in San Anselmo, California. A federal bankruptcy judge on Thursday halted roughly 40,000 lawsuits that allege Johnson & Johnson 's baby powder and other talc products caused cancer. Amid the ongoing legal fights, J&J has continued to deny the allegations that its talc products caused cancer. The suits allege J&J's talc products were contaminated with the carcinogen asbestos, which caused ovarian cancer in thousands of individuals. Some lawsuits link several deaths to J&J's talc products.

☆ Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) earnings Q1 2023
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-18 | by ( Annika Kim Constantino | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Johnson & Johnson shares fell Tuesday after the company reported adjusted earnings and revenue that topped Wall Street's expectations, but lowered its sales guidance for its pharmaceutical business. J&J is now forecasting 2023 sales of $97.9 billion to $98.9 billion, about $1 billion higher than the guidance provided in January. Lawsuits allege the company's talc products were contaminated with the carcinogen asbestos, which caused ovarian cancer in thousands of individuals. Some suits link several deaths to J&J's talc products. Read the full J&J earnings report.

☆ Take a look back at 24 Sussex Drive, the iconic residency of the Canadian PM now abandoned and overrun with rodents
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-16 | by ( Bethany Dawson | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

24 Sussex Drive, the official residence of the Canadian prime minister, is in total disrepair. Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien meets with Premiers and Territorial leaders Chretien's residence in Ottawa, February 4, 2003. Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin (L) holds a First Ministers' meeting at his official residence in Ottawa, January 30, 2004. Conservative leader and Canada's Prime Minister Stephen Harper reacts in between songs while practicing with his band "Herringbone" at 24 Sussex Drive, Harper's official residence, in Ottawa April 22, 2011. Since taking his post as head of state, prime minister Trudeau has opted to live in Rideau Cottage, just less than a mile away from 24 Sussex Drive.

☆ Indiana industrial fire nearly extinguished but smoke still poses danger
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-13 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

April 12 (Reuters) - A raging industrial fire in eastern Indiana is expected to be almost entirely extinguished by Thursday evening or Friday morning, officials said, after days of thick smoke shut down schools and forced hundreds of residents to evacuate. Firefighters have successfully prevented the flames from spreading beyond the property, and about 90% of the fire is out. But the smoke contains particulate matter, which can cause respiratory and other health problems. Officials again warned residents who smell or see smoke to shelter in place, keeping windows and doors shut and turning off their heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems. "I'm exaggerating, of course, but don't discount the seriousness of the smoke."

Kaplan said he shared Richenderfer's concerns, but would not take any action to stop LTL's second bankruptcy filing until he gets more information. J&J faces more than 38,000 lawsuits that have been consolidated in federal court in New Jersey alleging that its talc products sometimes contained carcinogenic asbestos, and those cases have been on hold while LTL pursues a bankruptcy settlement. J&J has said its baby powder and other talc products are safe, do not cause cancer or contain asbestos. LTL attorney Greg Gordon said at Tuesday's court hearing that the second bankruptcy is different because the company has fewer assets available and more support for a bankruptcy settlement. Gordon called that an "over the top accusation," saying plaintiffs' support for the settlement is real and substantial.

☆ Johnson & Johnson’s Talc Plan Spotlights Chapter 11 Voting Power
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-09 | by ( Andrew Scurria | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Johnson & Johnson’s latest plan to resolve mass cancer lawsuits through bankruptcy could force some cosmetic-talc users and their lawyers into a settlement they don’t want, highlighting the leverage that voting majorities enjoy in chapter 11. Plaintiffs’ lawyers are divided over the healthcare-products giant’s $8.9 billion offer to compensate women alleging J&J’s talcum-based baby powder caused them to develop gynecologic cancer or asbestos disease. Some law firms have rejected J&J’s overture, while others representing nearly...

REUTERS/Andrew KellyApril 3 (Reuters) - A Delaware judge on Monday dismissed Merck & Co's (MRK.N) lawsuit seeking to hold Bayer AG (BAYGn.DE) responsible for more talc-related liabilities stemming from its $14.2 billion purchase of Merck's consumer care business in 2014. Bayer welcomed the decision, saying that it expected Merck to "take full responsibility for the product claims". "Bayer will continue to defend itself against any further efforts by Merck to avoid or improperly transfer its liabilities to Bayer," the company said in a statement. The $14.2 billion purchase also included Merck's Claritin allergy medicine and Coppertone sunscreen lines. The case is Merck & Co v. Bayer AG, Delaware Chancery Court, No.

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