About Us

Laser Focus World is an industry bedrock—first published in 1965 and still going strong. We publish original articles about cutting-edge advances in lasers, optics, photonics, sensors, and quantum technologies, as well as test and measurement, and the shift currently underway to usher in the photonic integrated circuits, optical interconnects, and copackaged electronics and photonics to deliver the speed and efficiency essential for data centers of the future.

Our 80,000 qualified print subscribers—and 130,000 12-month engaged online audience—trust us to dive in and provide original journalism you won’t find elsewhere covering key emerging areas such as laser-driven inertial confinement fusion, lasers in space, integrated photonics, chipscale lasers, LiDAR, metasurfaces, high-energy laser weaponry, photonic crystals, and quantum computing/sensors/communications. We cover the innovations driving these markets.

Laser Focus World is part of Endeavor Business Media, a division of EndeavorB2B.

Laser Focus World Membership

Never miss any articles, videos, podcasts, or webinars by signing up for membership access to Laser Focus World online. You can manage your preferences all in one place—and provide our editorial team with your valued feedback.

Magazine Subscription

Can you subscribe to receive our print issue for free? Yes, you sure can!

Newsletter Subscription

A Laser Focus World newsletter subscription is free to qualified professionals:

The Daily Beam

Showcases the newest content from Laser Focus World, including photonics- and optics-based applications, components, research, and trends. (Daily)

Product Watch

The latest in products within the photonics industry. (9x per year)

Bio & Life Sciences Product Watch

The latest in products within the biophotonics industry. (4x per year)

Laser Processing Product Watch

The latest in products within the laser processing industry. (3x per year)

Get Published!

If you’d like to write an article for us, reach out with a short pitch to Sally Cole Johnson: [email protected]. We love to hear from you.

Photonics Hot List

Laser Focus World produces a video newscast that gives a peek into what’s happening in the world of photonics.

Following the Photons: A Photonics Podcast

Following the Photons: A Photonics Podcast dives deep into the fascinating world of photonics. Our weekly episodes feature interviews and discussions with industry and research experts, providing valuable perspectives on the issues, technologies, and trends shaping the photonics community.

Social Media

Bluesky • Facebook • Instagram • LinkedIn • YouTube

Meet the Laser Focus World Team

Editorial

Sales

Editorial Advisory Board

  • Professor Andrea M. Armani, University of Southern California
  • Ruti Ben-Shlomi, Ph.D., LightSolver
  • James Butler, Ph.D., Hamamatsu
  • Natalie Fardian-Melamed, Ph.D., Columbia University
  • Justin Sigley, Ph.D., AmeriCOM
  • Professor Birgit Stiller, Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light, and Leibniz University of Hannover
  • Professor Stephen Sweeney, University of Glasgow
  • Mohan Wang, Ph.D., University of Oxford
  • Professor Xuchen Wang, Harbin Engineering University
  • Professor Stefan Witte, Delft University of Technology
My Watchlist
Indicators
Industrial Laser Index
Markets
Stocks
ETFs
Tools
Markets:
Overview
News
Currencies
International
Treasuries

Key Talc Lawyers: Planned “Prepack” J&J Bankruptcy is “Farce” and Improper Litigation Tactic

By: via Business Wire

Say that recent meso settlements confirm J&J’s culpability and financial obligation to thousands of women who got cancer from talc

Attorneys representing ovarian cancer victims who are suing Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ) warn that J&J’s declared bankruptcy strategy to end talc litigation will not succeed as some of the nation’s most accomplished trial lawyers gear up for a series of jury trials in 2024.

Attorneys Andy Birchfield, Jason Itkin and Mike Papantonio, who represent thousands of ovarian cancer plaintiffs, say recent limited settlements touted by the company confirm that its talc products contain cancer-causing asbestos despite its protestations to the contrary. Recent media reports indicate that J&J has abandoned litigation to settle cases with law firms representing approximately 100 victims of mesothelioma who were exposed to talc.

"J&J can't buy talc litigation peace until it's willing to provide fair compensation to ovarian cancer victims, and mesothelioma victims," says Mr. Birchfield, head of the mass torts section at the Beasley Allen Law Firm, highlighting the need for a comprehensive and equitable resolution. “Asbestos causes mesothelioma AND ovarian cancer. The science is clear.”

Scientific consensus is unequivocal that asbestos exposure from J&J's products causes both mesothelioma and ovarian cancer. J&J's prior failed bankruptcy strategy, attorneys say, not only harmed cancer victims and their families but also adversely impacted shareholders. Two different federal courts rejected separate bankruptcy filings of a J&J subsidiary, LTL Management, finding that they were filed in bad faith.

“We will continue to hold the company's feet to the fire," Birchfield said. "Next year, we plan a series of trials before juries across the country. J&J is in the habit of misinforming investors that it wins most talc cases but conveniently neglects to mention that in just one case, it paid more than two billion dollars after a jury verdict.”

Mike Papantonio of Levin Papantonio Rafferty, a stalwart of civil justice and the leader of some of the largest mass torts in history, adds, "J&J should recognize that a narrow approach will not suffice. Instead of pursuing bankruptcy, they should get serious and prepare to defend their egregious conduct in court. It's about delivering justice to everyone affected, whether by mesothelioma or ovarian cancer."

In response to the ongoing legal battle involving Johnson & Johnson's talc products, Jason Itkin at the law firm Arnold & Itkin expressed his opposition to J&J’s bankruptcy strategy, stating, "J&J improperly sought to use bankruptcy as a weapon to delay and diminish my clients’ rights. I look forward to exposing J&J’s conduct and getting full justice for these cancer victims by trying their cases to judges and juries across the country."

Mr. Birchfield recently elaborated on his views in a Bloomberg News article, A Third J&J Bankruptcy Attempt Will Not Resolve Talc Victims’ Claims, in which he anticipated J&J’s acknowledgment, at a recent investors conference, that two failed bankruptcy filings were a litigation tactic that saved the company from having to pay more expensive trial-related costs while the litigation was on hold.

Concludes Mr. Birchfield, “The law says that bankruptcy can’t be used as a tactic in litigation to wear down plaintiffs and drive down the value of claims. J&J may try this a dozen times but it still won’t work and most victims and their lawyers see through the deception and abuse. We’re steadfast in our commitment to representing the interests of ovarian cancer patients and pursuing fair resolutions in the ongoing litigation against Johnson & Johnson.”

Contacts

More News

View More
3 Defense Stocks Surging as Ukraine Tensions Deepen
Via MarketBeat
Topics Government
Tickers BAESY RNMBY SAABY
Starbucks Stock Slumps; This Competitor Shows Strength
Via MarketBeat
Tickers BROS SBUX
The Trade Desk: 2 Signs of a Comeback, 1 Risk Ahead
Via MarketBeat
Tickers AMZN GOOG GOOGL TTD
Are Airline Stocks Ready for Takeoff After a Turbulent 2025?
Via MarketBeat
Topics Economy
Tickers AAL DAL LUV XTN
Why the Precious Metal Nobody Talks About Could Be Your Best Bet
Via MarketBeat
Topics ETFs Economy
Tickers PALL VOO
Stock Quote API & Stock News API supplied by www.cloudquote.io
Quotes delayed at least 20 minutes.
By accessing this page, you agree to the following
Privacy Policy and Terms Of Service.