A St. Louis jury recently awarded $72 million to the family of a woman who died of ovarian cancer after using Johnson & Johnson baby powder as a feminine hygiene product for decades. The award was comprised of $10 million in compensation and $62 million in punitive damages.
The trial lasted three weeks and is part of a much larger lawsuit involving close to 60 people who allege that Johnson & Johnson knew or should have known about the risk of ovarian cancer. In fact, evidence of a link between powder products and ovarian cancer was known in 1997. Furthermore, studies from as far back as the 1960s found talcum powder and asbestos (an ingredient that was used in talcum powder up until 1976) in the ovaries of women with ovarian cancer. Instead of investigating the matter further or taking action, the company marketed the powder as safe and effective for feminine hygiene and failed to warn consumers of any potential risks associated with the use of their product.
When talc-containing products are applied to the genital region, talc particles can travel into the body, where they can remain in the ovaries for many years. This causes inflammation and creates an environment conducive to the growth of cancer cells. It is estimated that 10,000 women develop ovarian cancer as a result of using talcum powder. The World Health Organization classifies talc as possibly cancer-causing to humans, although currently, the FDA does not review the safety of products containing talc.
Individuals and family members who have been diagnosed with ovarian cancer after using talcum powder may have grounds to file a lawsuit. Filing a lawsuit may enable victims to seek compensation for things like pain and suffering, medical care, and other losses associated with a cancer diagnosis. If you or someone you love has recently been diagnosed with ovarian cancer that you suspect may be linked to the use of baby powder or body powder, please contact The Law Offices of Dr. Michael M. Wilson M.D., J.D. & Associates to request a free case evaluation. Our lead attorney is a physician who has recovered millions of dollars for clients injured by medical malpractice and dangerous products.
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Dr. Michael M. Wilson is an attorney and a physician who earned his undergraduate degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and his legal and medical degrees from Georgetown University. He has focused in the area of medical malpractice for more than three decades and secured more than $100 million in settlements and verdicts on behalf of clients throughout the country. He is admitted to practice in the District of Columbia and New York as well as the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia and the U.S. Supreme Court. He is listed in America’s Top 100 High Stakes Litigators.
