A jury has awarded $55 million to a woman who sued Johnson & Johnson, blaming her ovarian cancer on their talcum powder products. This is the second major jury verdict against the company on the issue—just this year.
That’s according to the Associated Press. Back in February, a jury awarded $72 million to the family of an Alabama woman who died of ovarian cancer after using their talcum powder for “hygienic” purposes for decades. This time, they handed the money to Gloria Ristesund, another longtime customer. (Bloomberg says her cancer is currently in remission after a hysterectomy.)
Both trials are part of a larger batch of cases pending before the city of St. Louis Circuit Court. Bloomberg explains:
Ristesund’s lawsuit is the third to go to before a jury, preceded by the trial in the suit brought by the family of Jackie Fox, who died at 62. An earlier trial in federal court in South Dakota in 2013 ended with a jury finding that J&J was negligent while deciding not to award damages. The company faces another talc trial in the St. Louis court in September.
Thousands of women or their family members contacted plaintiffs’ lawyers after the Fox verdict, attorney Jere Beasley said in March. His firm, one of several representing the Fox family and Ristesund, is reviewing more than 5,000 potential claims, he said in an interview.
In a statement to CNN Money, spokesperson Carol Goodrich said, “Multiple scientific and regulatory reviews have determined that talc is safe for use in cosmetic products and the labeling on Johnson’s Baby Powder is appropriate.” The company plans to appeal.
Photo via Shutterstock.
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