In another resounding defeat, Johnson & Johnson lost a third straight trial over claims its talcum powder can cause ovarian cancer. After only 3 hours of deliberations a St. Louis jury has awarded a California woman more than $70 million.
In the award to Deborah Giannecchini – who has been diagnosed with Stage 4 ovarian cancer, and forced to have her spleen, colon, uterus and ovaries removed – the jury issued a scathing rebuke to Johnson & Johnson. The pharmaceutical giant was ordered to pay $65 million in punitive damages and 90 percent of about $2.5 million for medical costs and pain and suffering.
This case was the third bellwether trial in a joint lawsuit filed by 64 individuals against Johnson & Johnson. The two previous bellwether talc lawsuits ended in verdicts worth $127 million to the plaintiffs.
In addition Johnson & Johnson is also facing hundreds of claims in St. Louis state court, as well as about 300 suits in Los Angeles, another 200 in New Jersey and a growing number of federal cases. This includes a suit I helped file recently in Tampa on behalf of Diana Shinske against Johnson & Johnson. She was diagnosed with ovarian cancer that we believe was caused by her long time use of J&J talc products.
What Brought This Issue to Light?
These cases have brought to the forefront concerns about the dangerous health ramifications of extended talcum powder use. Early indications that talc could cause cancer came in 1971 when doctors discovered talc particles deeply embedded in ovarian tumors.
Then in 1982, the first study to ever to link talc use with ovarian cancer came out. In the clinical trials it was based on, there were 20 well executed, case-control studies done over 30 years that support the association. The most recent study confirming the cancer-talc relationship was published in 2015. According to a doctor associated with the study there was, on average, about 30% increased risk for ovarian cancer with talc usage in the case-control studies.
But Johnson & Johnson Didn’t Change Their Products
Despite losing the first three bellwether talc trials and the growing mountain of evidence proving the dangers of talc products, Johnson & Johnson continues to deny any possible links between ovarian cancer and the perineal application of talcum powder. The company is bound by law to warn customers if a product is associated with a hazard yet still refuses to do so. There is clear evidence that the link between ovarian cancer and the use of talc products is more than just a casual connection. By not warning customers of these dangers Johnson & Johnson knowingly continues to place women’s lives at risk.
At Saunders & Walker we have a successful history of representing victims harmed by dangerous drugs and medical devices. If you or a loved one has gotten cancer while using a Johnson & Johnson product containing talcum powder, please contact us for a free consultation.
Read more about this:
Fortune.com: https://fortune.com/2016/10/28/johnson-johnson-pays-70-million-to-california-woman-for-cancer-causing-baby-powder/