Johnson & Johnson Ordered by Jury to Pay $72 Million in Cancer Death Linked to Talcum Powder
Posted on February 24, 2016
Johnson & Johnson has been ordered to pay $72 million in a case that involves a cancer death linked to ovarian cancer from use to Johnson & Johson's baby powder products. $10 million of the $72 million is for actual damages and $62 million is in punitive damages.
Reuters reports that lawsuit claimed Johnson & Johnson failed to warn consumers of the risks of using its talcum-powder based products. The company faces many more similar lawsuits in the near future. There hundreds more similar cases that have been filed in Missouri and New Jersey.
Johnson & Johnson disputes the cancer link. The company says in a statement, "We have no higher responsibility than the health and safety of consumers and we are disappointed with the outcome of the trial. We sympathize with the plaintiff's family but firmly believe the safety the cosmetic talc is supported by decades of scientific evidence."
A Washington Post story on the lawsuit cites one juror who was swayed by internal company memos he read at the trial. Johnson & Johnson is considering appealing the decision.
The American Cancer Society has information about links between talcum powder and cancer, including ovarian cancer, on cancer.org.