Two More Large Talc Powder Cancer Verdicts | Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp

For the second time in three months, a jury has awarded a victim an eight-figure verdict against Johnson & Johnson, agreeing with the plaintiff that the company knew that its talc-based powders causes ovarian cancer.

The victim, who for over 40 years used the company’s Baby Powder and Shower to Shower products, was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2011. A biopsy of her ovarian tissue taken during a hysterectomy revealed talc. She was awarded $55 million in her claim against Johnson & Johnson.

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Two months ago, the same jury awarded $72 million to the family of a woman who died last year. The victim, who for years had also used the talc-based powders the company produced, was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2013.

Just as tobacco companies covered up the deadly dangers of cigarette smoking for decades, evidence reveals that  Johnson & Johnson knew since the 1970s that the talc used in their powders presented a potential death sentence to women who used the products.

Not only did the company know about the dangers, they distorted the evidence, lied to the public, and covered up the truth.

Numerous studies – beginning in 1971 – revealed the connection between using talcum powder and ovarian cancer. The company, well aware of the dangers, spent years successfully lobbying the U.S. government to prevent federal regulations over the use of talc.

One of the most damaging pieces of evidence presented in these lawsuits was an internal company memo from 1997 in which a company medical consultant wrote, “anybody who denies” the risk of using hygienic talc and ovarian cancer is “denying the obvious in the face of all evidence to the contrary.”

In 2006, the Canadian government classified talc as a “D2A,” “very toxic,” “cancer causing” substance. This is the same classification the government gave to asbestos. That same year, the company that supplies talc to Johnson & Johnson put warning sheets on all the product it sold to the company. These sheets contained information about the Canadian government’s classification, and also included warning information from the International Association for the Research of Cancer, which is part of the World Health Organization.

Again, not only did Johnson & Johnson continue to ignore these warnings, but to this day, and in spite of more than 1,200 pending lawsuits against them, the company still refuses to put warning labels on their talc-based products warning of the risks of ovarian cancer.

If you or a family member have been diagnosed with ovarian cancer which may be linked to the use of talc-based powders, contact a Virginia talcum powder cancer attorney today. Our law firm has successfully fought for clients against companies who sell dangerous products.