Another St. Louis jury has awarded damages to a woman diagnosed with ovarian cancer after using Johnson & Johnson talcum powder products.
A South Dakota woman was awarded $55 million dollars by a St. Louis jury this week due to her talcum powder usage. The jury found that Johnson & Johnson was negligent in their advertising for Johnson’s Baby Powder and Shower to Shower and the company should warn consumers of the health risks associated with talc use. This is the third time jurors have found Johnson & Johnson to be negligent, two of those cases have been in St. Louis and have awarded millions to the plaintiffs.
Following the jury announcement, attorneys for Johnson & Johnson said the company planned to appeal the verdict. The company still stands behind its Baby Powder and Shower to Shower products. The talc based products have been shown to cause ovarian cancer in several studies dating back to the 80’s. A Johnson & Johnson spokesperson decried these claims, “Multiple scientific and regulatory reviews have determined that talc is safe for use in cosmetic products and the labeling on Johnson’s Baby Powder is appropriate.” The International Agency for Research on Cancer lists talc as possibly carcinogenic, some countries are even going so far as banning talc powder products.
Talcum powder is sold as a cosmetic product, meaning it is regulated by the FDA. Until 1973, talcum powder often contained asbestos. Studies have shown how talcum powder can travel into the ovaries and cause unhealthy cell growth leading to ovarian cancer and also cause respiratory issues leading to lung cancer. Ovarian cancer is the deadliest of the reproductive cancers because it is rarely caught in time to be treatable.
Johnson & Johnson will likely look into a settlement for the 1,200 other talcum powder cases that have been filed against them, given the two jury decisions resulting in over $127 million since February of this year. The company is worth over $65 billion but stock prices began to fall after the second jury announcement this week.
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with ovarian cancer after using talcum powder, contact the Hollis Law Firm today. You may be eligible for compensation, we review all cases on a contingency fee basis – you don’t owe any money unless we win your case. The Hollis Law Firm has won over $100 million for our clients. Every talcum powder lawsuit review is confidential and risk free.
