Junk Science

Many courts have lax standards for evidence and judges who abandon their role as gatekeepers, resulting in an abundance of “junk science” presented to jurors.

The Problem

Junk science is especially common in mass tort litigation regarding the glyphosate-based roundup weed killer and talcum baby powder.

Juries and judges should have access to the most complete and accurate evidence during trials and be presented with scientifically and factually accurate information to allow them to make well-informed decisions.

What Can Be Done

Support implementation of newly amended Federal Rule of Evidence 702 in courts, requiring that theories must be based on sound scientific method.

The Rule 702 standard is utilized in the federal court system and by a majority of states.

Judges must follow applicable laws regarding evidentiary standards and embrace their roles as gatekeepers to prevent junk science from permeating their courtrooms.

News on Junk Science

Search through all of ATRAs resources around junk science
Judicial Hellholes® Blog Post: New Jersey District Court Has Opportunity To Rein In the Use of Junk Science In Talc Litigation
April 29, 2025
Wall Street Journal Op-Ed: Junk Science Sometimes Still Prevails in Court
August 27, 2024
Judicial Hellholes® Blog Post: Chicago Juries Continue to Reject Junk Science, Attention Turns to Delaware
August 7, 2024
Judicial Hellholes® Blog Post: New Jersey Judge Perpetuates Usage of Junk Science in Talc Litigation
July 9, 2024
Judicial Hellholes® Blog Post: Delaware On Verge of Becoming Litigation Hotbed, Supreme Court Has Opportunity to Step In to Avoid This in Zantac Litigation
June 20, 2024
Judicial Hellholes® Blog Post: Chicago Jury Rejects Junk Science in Zantac Trial
May 30, 2024
Judicial Hellholes® Blog Post: Positive Developments Around Junk Science in Mass Tort Litigation
May 8, 2024
Judicial Hellholes® Blog Post: Previously Debunked Lab at Center of New Litigation
March 13, 2024
Law360 Op-Ed: New Rule 702 Helps Judges Keep Bad Science Out Of Court
February 13, 2024
Washington Examiner Op-Ed: The 3rd Circuit’s bankruptcy gift to the trial bar
March 8, 2023
Wall Street Journal Letter-to-the-Editor: Lawyers Win Big From J&J Bankruptcy Decision
February 10, 2023
Agri-Pulse Op-Ed: Trial lawyers target agriculture products in ‘Judicial Hellholes’
January 9, 2023
Press Release – St. Louis ‘Judicial Hellhole’ Judges Permit ‘Junk’ Science Evidence, Known Haven for Trial Lawyers
December 6, 2022
Washington Times Op-Ed: Monsanto’s triumph over junk science
October 10, 2022
Bloomberg Law Op-Ed: When Plaintiffs’ Attorneys Mislead the Public
September 28, 2022
Federal Judge Takes Stand Against Junk Science in California
June 23, 2020

News on Junk Science

Show Me The Money: Hollywood Celebrity Revealed To Be Funding Baseless Climate Lawsuits
August 16, 2022
According to a new investigative report published by Fox News, emails appear to show that actor Leonardo DiCaprio’s non-profit […]
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