Angus Cloud, known for his role in the hit series “Euphoria,” has been enduring personal tragedy. In May, the 25-year-old actor bid farewell to his father, Conor Joseph Hickey, 65, who succumbed to stage 4 mesothelioma, a rare and aggressive cancer affecting the linings of vital organs, including the lungs, abdomen, and heart.
Now, Lisa Cloud, Angus’s mother, is taking legal action against Johnson & Johnson, alleging that her late husband’s prolonged use of Johnson’s Baby Powder played a role in the development of his cancer.
The wrongful death lawsuit, which PEOPLE exclusively obtained and was filed in Alameda County Superior Court on October 4, names Lisa Cloud, along with her daughters Molly and Fiona Hickey, as plaintiffs. They claim personal injuries and loss of consortium stemming from Hickey’s death. Mesothelioma, the suit contends, is a result of asbestos inhalation, and it has been linked to the use of Johnson & Johnson’s baby powder.
Hickey, according to the suit, had used the product for his entire life, from 1957 to 2023, both after bathing and as an additive to his shoes. The lawsuit is one among thousands directed at Johnson & Johnson, with plaintiffs asserting that talcum powder from the company led to the development of ovarian cancer or mesothelioma. These legal actions allege that Johnson & Johnson continued to market talcum powder while being aware of potential health risks, such as asbestos contamination.
“Johnson & Johnson has persistently misrepresented their product even in 2023, despite multiple court rulings confirming its carcinogenic nature,” emphasized Cloud’s liability attorney, Joseph Satterley. “They initially withdrew the product from the U.S. and Canada, where lawsuits are more easily filed, while leaving it available globally, where legal action is less common. However, the pressure has now forced them to remove talc powder from the market worldwide.”
Last year, the company had stated its intent to use cornstarch instead of talcum powder in its global baby powder products. Additionally, in April, Johnson & Johnson agreed to pay $8.9 billion to resolve claims that its talcum-based powder was linked to cancer. The funds would cover “all current and future talc claims” over the next 25 years.
In response to the ongoing legal actions, Clare Boyle, Director of Global Corporate Affairs at Johnson & Johnson, defended the safety of cosmetic talc. “Over 40 years of studies by independent medical experts around the world supports that cosmetic talc is safe, does not contain asbestos, and does not cause cancer,” she stated. She criticized the mesothelioma plaintiffs bar for misleading cancer victims and contended that their claims were baseless, citing recent appellate court decisions.
Meanwhile, a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson, LTL Management LLC, has sought voluntary Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection to resolve claims from talcum litigation. The proposed plan, according to the BBC, has faced criticism for potentially offering inadequate compensation to victims.
The recent suit further alleges that all defendants, including Johnson & Johnson, failed to issue warnings about asbestos content in their products. It contends that they withheld information about asbestos presence in their products. Johnson & Johnson’s Erik Haas, Worldwide Vice President of Litigation, continued to refute the claims, stating that they lacked scientific merit.
Hickey, who originally hailed from Ireland and lived in California until his death, was laid to rest in Dublin. After learning of his father’s terminal condition in May, Angus Cloud took a break from filming a Universal monster horror film to visit his father in Oakland. He crafted a pillow with a heartfelt message for his father the night before his passing.
Two months after Hickey’s passing, Angus Cloud, accompanied by his family, spread his father’s ashes in Glasnevin, Dublin. He paid tribute to his father on Instagram and shared the profound impact his father had on his life.
The suit contends that Hickey endured considerable pain and suffering due to his condition, and mesothelioma ultimately led to his untimely demise. Lisa Cloud shared her own tribute to her late husband, emphasizing his vibrant life and his impact on their family.
The family is seeking economic, compensatory, and punitive damages, as well as pre-and-post judgment interest and the cost of the lawsuit. They are also requesting a trial by jury.
