Now, another victim-who is still alive-is being awarded $55 million, including $5 million in compensatory damages and $50 million in punitive damages. As we reported previously, there are about 1,200 reports claiming to link the powder to an increased risk for ovarian cancer. She said that the company is looking forward to appeal and will continue to defend the safety of its products.
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Ristesund said that for decades, she used talc-based powder products of J&J, including the famous Baby Powder and Shower to Shower Powder, on her genitals.
The complainants argue in the state and federal courts that the company knew the risk, yet failed to warn its customers.
Jere Beasley, whose firm is representing Ristesund, said that his client was thankful for the verdict.
For the company, the threats posed by the personal-injury lawsuits come as J&J is trying to move past government investigations into off-label prescription-drug marketing, liability litigation over faulty hip and knee parts, and recalls of consumer products including children’s Tylenol.
Johnson & Johnson is appealing two recent jury verdicts awarding a total of $127 million to women who blame their ovarian cancer on talc in the company’s iconic baby powder.
“Science has been simple and consistent over the last 40 years: There’s an increased risk of ovarian cancer from genital use of talc, ” Smith said.
The prosecutor said 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. Ristesund’s cancer is in remission after she underwent a hysterectomy.
New Jersey-based Johnson & Johnson denied all the charges saying the company will appeal the latest ruling in higher court.
The verdict was handed by a jury in St. Louis.
This case is one of roughly 1,200 that J&J faces.
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A report noted that the verdict has sparked renewed interest in talc-powder lawsuits among plaintiffs’ lawyers, as well as consumers familiar with J&J’s powder products.
