Pharmaceutical and consumer goods manufacturer Johnson and Johnson have been on the defensive recently as more information continues to come out about the links between the talcum powder they sell and the dangers it poses for women using it on their genitals over long periods of time. As early as 1971, researchers have been studying the effects of talcum powder on women, concentrating specifically on the increased risk of developing ovarian cancer from prolonged usage of this popular household item.
Johnson and Johnson had dismissed these connections drawn from over twenty studies carried out over several decades, arguing that the statistical links between use of the powder and ovarian cancer are not only weak and limited but based on unreliable data. However, two separate lawsuits were brought against the pharmaceutical giant when two women, Deane Berg and Jacqueline Fox, were each diagnosed with ovarian cancer and sued the well-known manufacturer for negligence and failing to
warn them of the increased risk of cancer they faced from using the powder. Both of the plaintiffs won their respective lawsuits, with each court finding that Johnson and Johnson was guilty of negligence and did not properly warn the user of the serious risks associated with the baby powder.
A 10-2 jury verdict in one of the lawsuits brought against Johnson and Johnson included $10 million dollars in compensatory damages and $62 million dollars in punitive damages.
Now there are over a 1,000 women and their families suing Johnson and Johnson, along with their talc supplier Imerys, for allowing decades to go by without ever warning the consumer that their popular product could – according to many of the studies conducted over the years on the long term effects of the talcum powder – raise their chances of developing ovarian cancer by about 33 percent.
If you or a loved one has developed cancer linked to long-term use of baby powder or talcum powder, call The Hendon Law firm for a free and confidential consultation, 770-284-3737.
