Johnson & Johnson was ordered to pay $72 million to a family of a woman who died of ovarian cancer due to talcum powder found in the company's baby powder and other products.
A Missouri jury settled the case on Feb. 22 after five hours of deliberations; ending the three-week trial, the Guardian noted. Attorney James Onder said that he “absolutely” expects Johnson & Johnson to appeal the verdict.
Jackie Fox, 62, of Birmingham, Alabama was part of a broader claim in the city of St. Louis circuit court. Her son took over the plaintiff after her death from ovarian cancer in October 2015. Fox claimed the company's talcum containing products contributed to the development of her ovarian cancer, according to rightinginjustice. For 35 years, she was using Johnson & Johnson's Baby Powder and Shower to Shower body powder for feminine hygiene.
“Jacqueline Fox was an incredible lady whose life was cut far too short by the callous decisions by the bosses at Johnson and Johnson," said Ted G. Meadows, the plaintiff's attorney. "Inside J&J folks have known for decades, literally decades, that the talc contained in its products could cause cancer. Instead of warning customers, J&J executives made the deliberate decision to hide the risk and keep on selling. The internal documents tell a horrifying and infuriating story of corporate greed and indifference to human life. We are honored to represent the family of Ms. Fox and to bring to light the misdeeds of this company.”
This is the first time Johnson & Johnson was ordered to pay damages over such claims, however, it is not the first time the company was found guilty. Johnson & Johnson was found liable in a 2013 product liability lawsuit in South Dakota. The jury decided in favor of plaintiff Deane Berg that Johnson & Johnson didn't warn consumers of the link between talcum and ovarian cancer. Even after the litigation, the company still refused to put warning labels on the products.
The verdict includes $10 million in actual damages and $62 million in punitive damages to Fox's family.
Talc is a naturally-occurring mineral mined from soil and composed of magnesium, silicon, oxygen and hydrogen. It's mainly used in cosmetics and personal care products to absorb moisture, prevent caking and improve the product’s feel.