Friday May 5, 2017 — CBS News reports that Johnson & Johnson on Thursday was ordered by a Missouri jury to pay over $110 million to a Virginia woman who says she developed ovarian cancer after decades of using of its talc-based products for feminine hygiene.
The verdict in state court in St. Louis was the largest so far to arise out of about 2,400 lawsuits accusing J&J of not adequately warning consumers about the cancer risks of talc-based products, including its well-known Johnson’s Baby Powder.
Many of those lawsuits are pending in St. Louis, where the J&J has faced four prior trials, three of which resulted in $197 million verdicts against J&J and a talc supplier.
Thursday’s verdict came in a lawsuit against J&J and talc supplier Imerys Talc by Lois Slemp, a resident of Virginia who is currently undergoing chemotherapy after her ovarian cancer initially diagnosed in 2012 returned and spread to her liver.
You may be eligible if you used the following products:
• Johnson’s Baby Powder
• Johnson’s Shower to Shower
Medical studies show that women who use talcum powder in the genital area face an increased risk of developing ovarian cancer.
To find out if you have grounds for a talcum powder lawsuit, contact us by phone or online for a free and confidential review of your case.
Ovarian Cancer from Talc
Talc is a soft mineral composed of magnesium, silicon, oxygen, and hydrogen.
In nature, talc may be found in close proximity to asbestos, a known and dangerous carcinogen.
Manufacturers must take precautions when mining talc from the earth to avoid asbestos contamination. Even with these efforts, however, medical studies dating as far back as 1971 through the present have linked the use of talc to cancer in humans.
Researchers have found that women who use talcum powder regularly on their genitals and sanitary pads are three times as likely to develop ovarian cancer when compared to nonusers.
In 2006, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) recognized talc as a possible carcinogen if used by women in the genital area.
Talcum Powder Lawsuits Allege Failure to Warn
Despite ongoing safety concerns, talc is still used in personal care products marketed to women, most notably Johnson’s Baby Powder and Shower to Shower.
Neither the FDA nor Johnson & Johnson has issued any warnings to consumers about the risk of ovarian cancer associated with these popular products.
Talcum powder lawsuits allege violations of consumer protection laws, negligence, failure to warn, and wrongful death.
In February 2016, a Missouri jury awarded $72 million in compensatory and punitive damages to the family of a St. Louis resident in the first talcum powder lawsuit to go to trial.
In May 2016, a second jury awarded $55 million in compensatory and punitive damages in favor of plaintiff in South Dakota.
While these verdicts do not guarantee success in any future cases, they illustrate the jurors’ reactions to the evidence presented against Johnson & Johnson at trial.
Review Your Talc Cancer Lawsuit with an Attorney
Our attorneys are reviewing claims on behalf of ovarian cancer patients and their families.
If you or a loved one was diagnosed with ovarian cancer after using talcum powder, you may have important legal rights.
We invite you to consult our experienced drug injury lawyers at no cost and learn if you qualify for a talcum powder lawsuit.
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