In The News Today – August 14, 2014

The Washington Examiner today takes a look at the discrepancy in outcomes for Bondex International and Garlock Sealing Technologies, who recently both underwent bankruptcy proceedings due to bulk asbestos litigation. According to the article, “the judge in Bondex’s proceeding ordered it to put $1.6 billion into a bankruptcy trust, while the judge in Garlock’s case ordered it earlier this year to put only $125 million.” The article points to Garlock’s access to claimants’ information during discovery, revealing potential instances of fraud, as the determining factor for its lesser settlement. (Washington Examiner)

Johnson & Johnson on Monday moved to dismiss a proposed class action alleging that its baby powder products increased the risk of ovarian cancer. The company argued in part that the plaintiff failed to show she suffered any injury from using the product, as she has not developed ovarian cancer. (Law360)