Jury Awards $110 Million in J&J Talcum Powder Verdict

May 11, 2017

Johnson & Johnson was ordered by a Missouri jury on May 4 to pay $110 million in the latest verdict concerning the link between the company’s talc-based products and ovarian cancer.

This is the largest verdict ordered against Johnson & Johnson. So far, four cases have been heard in St. Louis state court, and approximately 2,400 talcum powder lawsuits are currently pending.

Ovarian Cancer Victim Wins Talcum Powder Case

The 62-year-old plaintiff claimed she developed ovarian cancer following four decades of using products containing talc, including Johnson & Johnson’s Shower to Shower® and Baby Powder®.

She was originally diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2012, but it has since returned and spread to her liver. She is now undergoing chemotherapy treatment.

The lawsuit stated Johnson & Johnson failed to warn consumers that its talc-based products are defective and may increase the risk of ovarian cancer when used for feminine hygiene. Talc supplier Imerys Talc was also named as a defendant in the lawsuit.

Largest Talcum Powder Verdict to Date

In this case, the jury found that Johnson & Johnson was 99 percent at fault for the victim’s ovarian cancer diagnosis, while Imerys was assigned one percent of the liability.

The jury awarded the victim $5.4 million in compensatory damages and $105 million in punitive damages that Johnson & Johnson has been ordered to pay. The victim will also receive $50,000 in damages from Imerys.

The latest verdict comes after Johnson & Johnson won its previous talcum powder trial. A Missouri jury sided with the pharmaceutical conglomerate in March during a lawsuit filed by a Tennessee woman who claimed she developed ovarian cancer after using Baby Powder.

Before this victory, however, Johnson & Johnson suffered several major losses within the last year.

In February 2016, a jury awarded $72 million to the family of a woman who died from ovarian cancer caused by the company’s talc-based products.

A May 2016 lawsuit awarded the victim $55 million. A third jury decision in an October 2016 trial forced Johnson & Johnson and Imerys to pay $70 million to the plaintiff.

Johnson & Johnson Plans to Appeal the Latest Trial Verdict

Johnson & Johnson announced shortly after its most recent loss that while the company sympathizes with women who have been affected by ovarian cancer, it plans to appeal the verdict.

The pharmaceutical conglomerate is currently preparing for additional trials later this year and says that it will continue to defend the safety of its products.

Help for Victims of Talc-Based Products

If you have been diagnosed with ovarian cancer and believe it is related to long-term use of talcum based products, like Baby Powder, you may be entitled compensation.

The Phillips Law Group has represented numerous victims of corporate negligence and has the resources you need to bring a case against a large manufacturers. We can discuss your claim during a free, no obligation consultation to determine if your condition enables you to take legal action.

If we accept your case, we will dedicate ourselves to constructing a viable case that supports your claim and may help you recover the compensation you deserve. Our services are provided on a contingency fee basis, which means we will not charge you upfront for any of our work. We only require payment if we are successful in recovering damages for your claim.

Call 1-800-706-3000 or complete our Free Case Evaluation formtoday.