In August, a Los Angeles jury awarded $417 million in the largest talcum powder verdict to date against Johnson & Johnson. The lawsuit was filed by a woman who claimed she contracted ovarian cancer because of her use of Johnson & Johnson’s Baby Powder for feminine hygiene.
If you have used Baby Powder or any of Johnson & Johnson’s other talcum powder products for feminine hygiene and were diagnosed with ovarian cancer, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. The talcum powder lawsuit attorneys of Pfeifer, Morgan & Stesiak are available to discuss your legal options.
Details on the Lawsuit
The victim in this case was too ill to testify during the trial, but she gave a videotaped deposition. She stated that she began using Johnson & Johnson’s Baby Powder when she was only 11 years old.
After being diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2007, she continued to use the product because she was not aware of medical studies showing links between talcum powder and ovarian cancer. She said she did not discontinue using Baby Powder until she heard about a verdict issued in another talcum powder lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson, linking Baby Powder to ovarian cancer.
Sadly, the 63-year-old woman’s diagnosis is terminal. However, her goal for the lawsuit was to spread awareness and warn women of the risks of using Baby Powder for feminine hygiene.
Johnson & Johnson plans to appeal the verdict and continues to defend the safety of its talcum powder-based products, according to a company spokesperson.
Previous Talcum Powder Cases
Thousands of women across the U.S. have filed product liability lawsuits against Johnson & Johnson, alleging the company’s Baby Powder and other talc-based products caused their ovarian cancer.
So far, only a few lawsuits have been heard in court, but many of the victims have been awarded compensation:
- In May, a $110 million verdict was awarded to a woman from Virginia who was suffering from ovarian cancer
- Last year, two Missouri juries awarded verdicts of $55 million and $72 million, with the $55 million going to a woman with ovarian cancer and the $72 million going to the family of a woman who died from ovarian cancer
Research on Talc and Ovarian Cancer
Researchers first learned of the link between talcum powder and ovarian cancer in 1971, after scientists discovered talc particles in ovarian cancer tumors.
Since then, more studies have come out showing a link between talc and ovarian cancer. This includes a study from 2016 that found a 33 percent higher risk of ovarian cancer among women who used talcum powder for feminine hygiene on a regular basis.
Despite this research, Johnson & Johnson has continued to market its talcum powder-based products as safe.
Contact Our Product Liability Attorneys to Discuss Legal Options
If you were injured by a defective or dangerous product, you should strongly consider meeting with an attorney to review your legal options. You may be entitled to compensation for medical bills and other damages.
A personal injury lawyer from our firm can fight for compensation for those injured by a variety of defective products, from dangerous drugs and car parts to talcum powder products.
Schedule your free, no-obligation case consultation with our skilled attorneys today. We do not receive legal fees unless you recover compensation for your claim.
Call (574) 444-0741 for help with your claim today.
