Last week, a jury in St. Louis, Missouri awarded $110.5 million in compensation to a Virginia woman who was diagnosed with ovarian cancer after long-term use of talcum powder products marketed by Johnson & Johnson. The jury award is the largest verdict to date in lawsuits involving Johnson & Johnson talc-based products that have been associated with increased risks of ovarian cancer in women.
Court documents from the lawsuit, which was resolved last Thursday, show that the 62-year-old woman in this case had used several Johnson & Johnson products containing talcum powder for over four decades. Specifically, she used Johnson & Johnson’s Baby Powder and Shower to Shower Powder. Her lawsuit alleged that the talcum-containing products led to her ovarian cancer diagnosis in 2012. She is currently undergoing chemotherapy after the cancer returned and spread to her liver, and was not able to attend the trial due to her illness.
The lawsuit is one of over 2,000 similar suits filed in state and federal courts across country, all of which concern health risks associated with Johnson & Johnson talcum powder products. Here are some additional facts about these risks and ongoing lawsuits.
- Several studies have found increased risks of ovarian cancer in women who used talcum powder products for feminine hygiene. This includes one study published in 1971 that found a 40% increased risk of ovarian cancer associated with long-term genital talcum powder use.
- Several lawsuits over J & J talcum powder products have been resolved, including three cases in St. Louis prior to the latest verdict. The previous highest verdict was an award for $72 million, and all have been appealed by the pharmaceutical company.
- Johnson & Johnson has announced plans to appeal the $110 jury verdict on grounds that the victim’s lawsuit lacked scientific evidence connecting the plaintiff’s disease to use of its talcum products. It noted two New Jersey cases that had been previously dismissed by a judge who stated they lacked reliable evidence connecting talc to ovarian cancer.
As one of the softest minerals mined from natural deposits in the U.S. and abroad, talc is crushed into a fine white powder. Talcum powder has been widely used in many personal hygiene and cosmetic products throughout the years for its moisture-absorbing abilities, including products manufactured by Johnson & Johnson since the 19th century.
Unfortunately, there have been various studies conducted since the 1970s which have suggested an association between regular talc use on the female genital area and increased ovarian cancer risks. The International Agency for Research on Cancer also currently classified talc as a possible carcinogen, or cancer-causing substance. Despite these connections between talc products and cancer, victims further allege, Johnson & Johnson did not warn consumers of potential risks.
As more victims come forward, Johnson & Johnson is standing tall in the face of thousands of talcum powder cancer lawsuits and, despite several notable verdicts, shows plans to continue fighting these claims. Because of this, victims who have been harmed as a result of using J & J talc products should be intent on working with attorneys who have the experience and resources to help them fight back against a corporate power that is poised to aggressively defend against claims and pay victims as little as possible.
Our legal team at Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. is currently accepting cases from women nationwide who have developed ovarian cancer after regular use of Johnson & Johnson products containing talc, including the brand’s Baby Powder and Shower to Shower Powder. We are also prepared to represent families who have lost loved ones to ovarian cancer in wrongful death lawsuits.
Our firm understands the profound impact of a cancer diagnosis, as well as the difficulties that come with knowing an unsafe product could potentially be to blame. This is why we are committed to helping victims evaluate the merits of their potential case and to navigating the civil justice system as they fight for a full recovery of their damages, including any medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering associated with illness.
If you have questions about a potential talcum powder lawsuit, do not hesitate to reach out to our legal team for the proven and compassionate support you deserve. Our attorneys have nearly a century of combined experience, and have leveraged this insight to secure hundreds of millions of dollars in compensation for injured victims. Let us work to make the difference for you.
For a FREE consultation, contact us today. We are accepting talcum powder cancer cases nationwide.