Woman Awarded $417 Million in Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder Lawsuit
Pharmaceutical and consumer industry giant Johnson and Johnson continues to face legal battles in the court system over charges that one of its most iconic products is linked to an increased risk for ovarian cancer. For decades, women have relied on the manufacturer’s baby powder for personal hygiene, but an alarming number of personal injury lawsuits claim the company knew the potential risks but failed to warn consumers. A woman in Los Angeles recently filed a Johnson and Johnson baby powder lawsuit in an effort to receive compensation for her damages. Ultimately, the company was ordered to pay her $417 million in damages, the largest jury award amount to date.
Johnson and Johnson Baby Powder Lawsuits
In a blog post on Johnson and Johnson baby powder lawsuits we published last year, we highlighted several cases that had already been filed with the courts seeking damages from the company worth millions of dollars. These claims are based on reports of researchers who claimed to have warned Johnson and Johnson decades ago of the potential risks involved for women who used the company’s talcum-based baby powder in the genital region. It is alleged that even after these serious warnings, Johnson and Johnson continued to sell the product without alerting consumers of the potential dangers.
An August 2017 CBS News report highlights the case of a California woman currently dying of ovarian cancer who regularly used the baby powder from the 1950s through 2016. She initiated a claim after becoming aware of similar lawsuits being filed throughout the country. Based on the evidence in her case, a jury awarded her $417 million, the largest amount to date. Her attorney states that while the woman is not likely to live long enough to benefit from the money, she hopes it will accomplish two objectives:
- To raise awareness of the problem for other potential victims.
- To lead Johnson and Johnson to put a warning label on its products.
Representatives of the company say they will appeal the decision, and claim that scientific evidence supports the safety of their product.
For a free legal consultation, call 803-222-2222
Baby Powder and Ovarian Cancer Risks
According to researchers at the National Institute of Health (NIH),concerns about the link between talcum powder and ovarian cancer arose after traces of it were detected during examinations of ovarian cysts and tumors. Commonly used by women in the genital region, it is thought that the talc particles enter the ovaries through the vagina and fallopian
tubes. While widespread studies have shown mixed results when it comes to the percentage of women who suffer ovarian cancer after using talcum-based baby powder in this manner, the NIH states there is evidence to indicate that it could increase cancer risks by up to 33 percent.
Have You Been Affected? Get Legal Help Today!
The ramifications of the most recent Johnson and Johnson baby powder lawsuit are very serious. If you have been diagnosed with ovarian cancer and suspect talcum powder may have played a role, call or contact Anastopoulo Law Firm online right away. We can arrange a free consultation with our South Carolina personal injury attorney to discuss your case and whether you may be entitled to compensation.
Call or text 803-222-2222 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
