Peter Goss Analyzes New Jersey Summary Judgment Order in Talc Suits against Johnson & Johnson

Peter Goss was quoted in Law360’s analysis of a recent New Jersey trial court ruling in the Johnson & Johnson talc litigation. The order excluded the plaintiffs’ experts’ testimony and dismissed the claims of two women who alleged that exposure to bath talc caused their ovarian cancer. (“J&J Talc Suits Show Evidence Standards Vary Among Courts,” available with subscription here.) The decision contrasts with the eight-figure verdicts against Johnson & Johnson in recent trials of talc cases in St. Louis. Goss explained that the different outcomes are partly due to different standards for evaluating expert testimony: “Even though New Jersey has its own standards, the [New Jersey] court really pursued the sort of analysis typical of a Daubert hearing and a Daubert ruling . . . Missouri law does not empower trial judges to the same degree to really dive in and attack the science.”

Mr. Goss focuses his national practice on pharmaceutical and medical device product liability litigation and toxic torts. He has represented global pharmaceutical, medical technology, and chemical firms in hundreds of cases. Mr. Goss often serves as “science counsel” in life sciences litigation. He collaborates with leading experts to present complex medical and scientific evidence, both in dispositive motions and at trial. He is a frequent commentator on scientific evidence, products liability, and legal developments of interest to his clients.

Blackwell Burke P.A., a litigation and trial boutique in Minneapolis, Minnesota, serves as national trial and litigation counsel for several Fortune 500 companies. The firm has extensive experience in class action defense, commercial litigation, food industry defense, labor and employment, and products liability. The firm has represented corporate clients in state and federal courts throughout the country and in several foreign jurisdictions.

For more information about Blackwell Burke P.A. or Mr. Goss, please contact Kandy Branch at 612-343-3235 or [email protected].