A US court just cleared the way for expert testimony establishing a direct link between talc-based products and cancer development in ongoing lawsuits against J&J. This is a significant turn. Previously, the company had fought hard against allowing such evidence—now that barrier's essentially fallen. The implications? Massive. We're talking about potential liability exposure that could reshape how major corporations handle product safety claims. For investors watching this space, the ruling signals heightened litigation risk. When courts start accepting causal evidence like this, settlement costs typically balloon. Institutional players are likely reconsidering their positions on healthcare and consumer goods companies with similar product vulnerabilities. This isn't just legal theater; it's a market-moving development that underscores why diversification across uncorrelated assets—including digital alternatives—remains prudent in uncertain environments.