Johnson & Johnson faces 1,200 talc-powder cancer lawsuits after $55m verdict

Johnson & Johnson has been was ordered by a U.S. jury to pay $55 million (37 million pounds) to a woman who said that using the company’s talc-powder products for feminine hygiene caused her to develop ovarian cancer. The verdict, which J&J plans to appeal, was the second straight trial loss for the company, which is facing about 1,200 lawsuits accusing it of not adequately warning consumers about its talc-based products’ cancer risks. Following a three-week trial in Missouri state court, jurors deliberated for about a day before returning a verdict for Gloria Ristesund. The verdict followed a $72 million jury award from the same court in February to the family of a woman who died from ovarian cancer after years of using talc powder for feminine hygiene.

Unfortunately, the jury’s decision goes against 30 years of studies by medical experts around the world that continue to support the safety of cosmetic talc.

J&J spokeswoman Carol Goodrich

Ms Ristesund said she used J&J’s talc-based powder products – which include the well-known Baby Powder and Shower to Shower Powder – for decades. According to her lawyers, she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer and had to undergo a hysterectomy and related surgeries. Her cancer is now in remission. Jere Beasley, whose firm represents Ristesund, said his client was gratified with the verdict. The jury’s decision should “end the litigation” and compel J&J to settle the remaining cases, he said. J&J spokeswoman Carol Goodrich said the company intends to appeal and will keep defending its products’ safety.

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