A Los Angeles jury recently ordered Johnson & Johnson (J&J) to pay $417 million in damages to a woman who claimed she developed ovarian cancer because she used J&J’s Baby Powder for feminine hygiene for decades. This is the largest verdict to ever be issued in a talcum powder lawsuit alleging a link between talcum powder-based products like Baby Powder and ovarian cancer.
If you were diagnosed with ovarian cancer after using products containing talcum powder, the Baton Rouge defective product lawyers at Simien & Simien may be able to help you file a lawsuit to obtain compensation. We offer a free, no obligation case review to help us determine if you have a viable talcum powder and ovarian cancer lawsuit.
Details of the Case
The injury victim who recovered the massive verdict is a 63-year-old woman. She had used the powder as part of her feminine hygiene routine since she was 11 years old.
She continued using the powder even after she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2007. However, she stopped using the product in 2016 after reading about another woman who used it and had ovarian cancer.
The verdict included $70 million in compensatory damages, intended to compensate the victim for damages caused by her injuries, including pain and suffering. J&J also had to pay $347 million in punitive damages. The purpose of punitive damages is to punish the defendant and help deter others from engaging in similar conduct.
Other Talcum Powder Cases
This case was the first to be decided out of hundreds of similar cases that are currently lined up in California.
Across the nation, more than 1,000 similar lawsuits have been filed against J&J. Some have gone to trial, resulting in the following verdicts:
A federal judge threw out a class action talcum powder lawsuit filed by a California woman in July
A Missouri jury awarded $110 million to a victim in Virginia in May of this year
Another Missouri jury awarded $55 million to a woman with ovarian cancer in May 2016
The family of a woman who died from ovarian cancer was awarded $72 million in Feb. 2016
Dangers of Talcum Powder
As far back as 1971, studies have shown a link between talcum powder and ovarian cancer when talcum powder is used for feminine hygiene.
A 1982 study found that women who use talcum powder for feminine hygiene when they are ovulating have a 92 percent increased risk of being diagnosed with ovarian cancer.
Another study from March 2016 revealed a 33 percent increased risk of ovarian cancer in women who regularly use talcum powder for feminine hygiene. This is believed to occur because talc particles have an increased likelihood of reaching the ovaries when regularly used in the perineal area. This buildup of particles can cause inflammation and cause the growth of cancer cells.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer states that talcum powder may be a possible human carcinogen when used for feminine hygiene.
Despite this research, J&J continues to maintain that its talcum powder products are safe and plans to appeal the latest verdict.
Contact a Product Liability Lawyer Today
If you were injured by talcum powder or another defective product, you may be entitled to compensation from the manufacturer through a product liability lawsuit.
For nearly 30 years, Simien & Simien has provided aggressive legal representation to personal injury victims, including those injured by dangerous products.
Our injury attorneys work on a contingency fee and do not get paid unless your claim is successful. We also provide a complimentary, no-obligation consultation so we can review the circumstances surrounding your injuries and determine if you have a viable claim.
