A St. Louis jury recently awarded more than $70 million to a California woman who alleged that her use of Johnson & Johnson’s Baby Powder caused her to develop ovarian cancer.
Her lawsuit is the third talcum powder trial in which a verdict has been awarded. Earlier this year, two other St. Louis juries ordered the company to pay $72 million and $55 million. Johnson & Johnson is currently facing approximately 1,700 lawsuits claiming that the talcum powder in its Shower to Shower and Baby Powder products can cause ovarian cancer.
In the most recent talcum powder lawsuit, the woman claimed to have used Johnson & Johnson’s Baby Powder for feminine hygiene for more than four decades, which led to her diagnosis of ovarian cancer three years ago.
The lawsuit claimed that Johnson & Johnson was negligent in the manufacturing and marketing of the company’s Baby Powder product, alleging it knew about the risks of using talcum powder for feminine hygiene but failed to inform the public.
The woman’s attorneys pointed to evidence dating back to the 1970s showing that use of talcum powder for feminine hygiene can lead to an increased risk of developing ovarian cancer. Routine use of talcum powder in the genital region can boost ovarian cancer risk as much as 40 percent.
A Johnson & Johnson representative says the company will appeal the verdict, citing scientific evidence supporting the safety claims it has made about baby powder.
If a defective product caused you harm, you may be entitled to compensation. The product liability attorneys of Goldberg Finnegan will fight to protect your best interests and will work to help you get the maximum compensation you deserve.