Millions of families have grown up using baby powder containing talc (talcum powder) and other talc-based products on their children and other family members for years. Talc-based products have been marketed as appropriate for daily use to promote “femenine hygiene.” Unbeknownst to them, talc exposure has placed women at higher risk of developing ovarian cancer.
Talc-based product manufacturers, such as Johnson & Johnson, have apparently long-known that its baby powder and other talc-based products could cause cancer, but failed — and continues to fail — to warn consumers of this risk.
Jury Orders Johnson & Johnson to Pay $72 Million for Failure to Warn
This month, a jury in St. Louis found Johnson & Johnson liable for failing to warn of the link between talc and ovarian cancer in a case brought by the family of a woman who died of ovarian cancer after using Johnson & Johnson’s baby powder and other talc-based products for years. The jury ordered Johnson & Johnson to pay $10 million in compensatory damages and $62 million in punitive damages to the family.
Use of talc or talcum powder in the perineal (groin/pubic) region has been shown in medical studies to increase the risk of ovarian cancer.
Despite this known risk, companies like Johnson & Johnson placed profits over safety and chose not to warn consumers. This is where the civil justice system is critically important to hold negligent corporations accountable and incentivize them to make safer products.
To speak to an experienced lawyer regarding a possible claim for talc-exposure causing ovarian cancer — or regarding some other instance of corporate negligence causing substantial injury — call Passen & Powell at 312-527-4500.