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Published on May 4, 2017
UPDATE: In November 2017 trial judge Rex Burlison upheld the verdict, ruling that Missouri jurisdiction was proper, as defendants Johnson & Johnson and Imerys Talc use Union, Missouri company Pharma Tech Industries, for labeling, packaging and distributing talc products.
In the latest win for women claiming Johnson and Johnson’s talcum powder caused their ovarian cancers, a jury has awarded $110 million to a woman who developed ovarian cancer after four decades of using J&J’s Baby Powder and Shower to Shower Powder. The jury found that Johnson & Johnson ignored decades of scientific research linking talcum powder use with ovarian cancer, and failed to warn consumers of the risk.
The St. Louis, Missouri state court jury awarded $5.4 million in actual damages against Johnson & Johnson and its talc supplier Imerys Talc, as well as $105 in punitive damages against J&J and $50,000 against Imerys. The jury ruled that Johnson and Johnson was 99% at fault.
The plaintiff, Lois Slemp, a 62-year-old Virginia mom of two grown sons, was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2012. She is currently undergoing chemotherapy for a recurrence of her cancer, now considered Stage III(c) as it has spread to her liver. Her case was expedited due to her deteriorating health.
This is the fifth case to go to trial since 2016. The most recent case was a defense verdict; the first three cases results in verdicts of $72 million, $55 million, and $70 million.
Evidence was presented that asbestos particles were found inside Slemp. In this case, unlike the preceding trials, it was alleged that the J&J powders she used contained asbestos.
More than 2390 cases are pending against Johnson and Johnson alleging failure to warn against the known risk of using talcum powder products in the genital area.
Johnson & Johnson has announced it will appeal the verdict.
Women who use talcum powder should switch to a powder made without talc, such as cornstarch powder. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with ovarian cancer after using talcum powder, call the talcum powder lawyers at Thornton Law Firm for a confidential and free consultation. You can call Attorney Marilyn McGoldrick at 1-888-341-1405 or tell us your story online for a no-obligation evaluation of your legal rights. Seek legal advice without delay, as all legal claims have short time limits that are strictly enforced.
