Published: May 6, 2016
By: Richard Ogrodowski
Two weeks ago, I reported on a $72 million jury verdict in which the jury found that Johnson & Johnson’s talcum powder caused a woman’s ovarian cancer, which she unfortunately passed away from prior to trial. This time after a three-week trial, again in Missouri, another jury has found Johnson & Johnson’s talcum powder products used for feminine hygiene caused a South Dakota woman’s ovarian cancer. See Johnson & Johnson ordered to pay $55 mln in talc-powder trial
Plaintiff, Gloria Ristesund, whose cancer is in remission, argued at trial that she used the products, containing talcum, on her genitals for decades and it caused her ovarian cancer and the related need for a hysterectomy and other surgeries. The jury agreed with Ristesund and awarded her $55 million in damages, which included $5 million for compensatory damages and $50 million in punitive damages. Punitive damages are meant to punish a defendant to deter them from engaging in the same conduct in the future.
According to an article from Reuters by Jessica Dye, Johnson & Johnson plans to appeal the verdict. See Johnson & Johnson ordered to pay $55 mln in talc-powder trial
As I mentioned in the prior post, there are numerous lawsuits that have been filed across the United States claiming a link between cancer and talcum powder. Based on the recent verdicts, it appears the number of lawsuits alleging a link between cancer and talcum powder will continue to grow.