Jury Awards Woman with Ovarian Cancer 110 Million Dollars from Johnson & Johnson | Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp

A jury in St. Louis, Missouri ordered Johnson & Johnson to pay more than $110 million to a Virginia woman who developed ovarian cancer after using J & J’s talc baby powder. The jury found that the corporate behemoth failed to disclose the serious risk of cancer from use of talc-based products. The plaintiff, who was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2012, blamed her ovarian cancer the use of J & J baby powder and Shower-to-Shower gel for more than 40 years. Her cancer spread to her liver and she was too ill to attend the trial, according to NBC News.  “They chose to put profits over people, spending millions in efforts to manipulate scientific and regulatory scrutiny,” said the attorney representing the Virginia woman and other similar plaintiffs, according to USA Today. Talc is a mineral mined from deposits around the world and crushed into a white powder. It has been used in cosmetics and other personal care products to absorb moisture for well over 100 years (e.g., Johnson & Johnson’s baby powder was launched in 1894). Several lawsuits allege that talc manufacturers mined talc from areas contaminated with asbestos, resulting in some consumers developing mesothelioma, a deadly cancer with no known cure. Learn more about the shocking asbestos-talc powder connection by reading Rick Shapiro’s article on The Legal Examiner.   J & J has lost several talcum powder ovarian cancer cases, including verdicts totaling over $200 million (e.g., $72 million verdict, $70 million verdict, and a $55 million verdict). J & J issued a statement saying it would appeal the $110 million talc powder ovarian cancer jurty verdict. Our law firm is co-counsel with a St. Louis firm working on talc powder ovarian cancer cases. We are evaluating multiple talc powder cases and if you suspect that you or a loved one developed ovarian cancer as a result of using talc powder for years, contact our office to schedule a free, confidential consultation.  To get more free information about the talc powder ovarian cancer connection, read our special, in-depth legal report here.