Johnson & Johnson Ordered to Pay $55 Million in Talcum Powder Lawsuit
By: Cohen, Placitella & Roth @ May 06, 2016
The claims against Johnson & Johnson are mounting; more than 1,000 lawsuits have been filed against the company, alleging that its Shower-to-Shower and Baby Powder, two of the company’s talc-containing products, lead to cancer. Recently, a jury upheld the claims, ordering the company to pay a total of $55 million to 62-year-old Gloria Ristesund.
Gloria Ristesund’s Story
According to an article in Law360, which summarizes the case and the jury award, Ristesund developed cancer of her ovaries in 2011, and underwent a hysterectomy shortly afterwards (she is currently in remission). She claims to have used Johnson & Johnson talc-containing products for over 40 years; documents from the mid 1970s show that the company was aware of health concerns linked to its products, yet specifically targeted to women regardless in order to drive sales. Medical reports show that in the case of Ristesund, talc was found in her ovarian tissue following the hysterectomy.
Damages Awarded Against Johnson & Johnson
Ristesund was awarded a grand total of $55 million, only $5 of which was for compensation; the other $50 million was in punitive damages. The latter was based on the company’s egregious conduct, which it exercised by knowing of the potential risks of its products, yet continuing to market them without warning regardless.
More Lawsuits Pending Against the Company
Ristesund’s suit was only the third lawsuit to go before a jury, but it is safe to say that more are coming. As stated above, more than 1,000 lawsuits that allege the same as Ristesund’s have been filed in state and federal courts. Johnson & Johnson continues to insist that there is no link between its products and ovarian cancer. To be sure, the company plans to appeal the recent verdict, and a company spokesperson – Carol Goodrich – issued a statement which read, “Unfortunately, the jury’s decision goes against 30 years of studies by medical experts around the world that continue to support the safety of cosmetic talc.”
What to Do If You Are a Talcum Powder Victim
If you are a woman who has been diagnosed with ovarian cancer and used Johnson & Johnson’s talc-containing products (namely Baby Powder and Shower-to-Shower) consistently throughout your life, you may have a cause of action. In order to help us learn more about your case and provide you with a more informed legal opinion, contact the experienced Philadelphia product liability attorneys at the law firm of Cohen, Placitella & Roth, P.C. today to for a free consultation. Our attorneys have helped the victims of dangerous products and other accidents recover the hundreds of millions of dollars that they deserve. Reach out to us today by calling (215) 567-3500 now, or by filling out our online form.
