Johnson & Johnson appealing to move lawsuits out of Missouri

Johnson & Johnson is seeking to have hundreds of lawsuits moved out of Missouri courts.

The lawsuits were filed by Bernstein Liebhard on behalf of women who allegedly developed ovarian cancer from using the company's talcum powder products.

According to a report from the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Johnson & Johnson expects that a change of venue will reverse its string of losses.

Currently, Missouri's 22^nd Circuit Court in St. Louis houses the largest of several talcum powder litigations involving Johnson & Johnson's Baby Powder and Shower-to-Shower products.

In August, the New Jersey-based company urged the court to dismiss the cases, arguing that Missouri had no jurisdiction over the claims as the company has few ties to the area and the majority of plaintiffs reside outside of the jurisdiction.

The court has rejected the motion but Johnson & Johnson intends to make the same arguments to the Missouri Court of Appeals, reported Reuters.

Bernstein Liebhard's partner Sandy A. Liebhard said: "Our Firm is closely following the talcum powder litigation throughout the nation as we have been contacted by a number of potential plaintiffs interested in filing similar cases. Given Johnson & Johnson's poor track record in Missouri, it's not at all surprising that the company would attempt such a maneuver."

Bernstein Liebhard is offering free legal reviews to victims of ovarian cancer allegedly related to the use of Johnson & Johnson's talc-based powders. Court documents indicate that more than 2,500 talcum powder lawsuits have been filed against Johnson & Johnson in courts around the country.