A Quick Summary of The Johnson's Baby Powder Litigation
The following are descriptions of cases that were brought against Johnson & Johnson claiming their iconic Johnson's Baby Powder caused the plaintiff's cancer
Friday, August 24, 2018 - The recent $5.59 billion jury award to 22 plaintiffs was the first one that specifically linked ovarian cancer with asbestos, a known carcinogen and the talc in Johnson's Baby Powder. Before that hundreds of millions had been awarded to others that claimed that the lifelong use of Johnson's Baby Powder caused their cancer.
The first multi-million dollar case was found in favor of the estate of Jacqueline Fox who died at age 62 from ovarian cancer. Ms. Fox testified on video that she had used Johnson's Baby Powder or Shower to Shower body powder nearly every day for about 35 years and used it as directed by the company's instructions. Fox used the powder for feminine hygiene purposes and believes, as studies have indicated that particles of talc migrated into her vagina and lodged permanently in her ovaries, creating the inflammation that led to her developing ovarian cancer. Fox's son was awarded $72 million in compensatory and punitive damages.
A second case claiming Johnson's Baby Powder caused her cancer was brought by Gloria Ristesund who was awarded $5 million in compensatory damages and $50 million in punitive damages. Like Ms. Fox, Ristesund was diagnosed with ovarian cancer after a lifetime of regular Johnson's Baby Powder use, however, the plaintiff's cancer is currently in remission. Ristesund's cancer forced her to have many surgeries including a hysterectomy.
On October 27, 2016, a third Johnson's Baby Powder ovarian cancer trial was decided against Johnson & Johnson when to 63-year-old Deborah Giannecchini was awarded $70 million for her terminal Stage 4 ovarian cancer. Ovarian cancer is difficult to diagnose early enough for effective treatment because the painful symptoms disguise themselves as the pain a women naturally experiences during their monthly period.
In May of 2017, Jury trial number four was decided in favor of Virginia woman Lois Slemp who was awarded $110.4 million for her cancer which was caused by using Johnson's Baby Powder for feminine hygiene purposes for her entire adult lifetime. As of the trial, Ms. Semp's cancer which was diagnosed in 2012 was undergoing chemotherapy for cancer that had spread to her liver.
A jury in Los Angeles awarded the largest award to Eva Echeverria, a total of $417 million, more than double what the plaintiffs were asking. $370 million of the $417 million was for punitive damages.
Last month a Missouri jury awarded the massive sum of $4.69 billion to 22 women, six of whom have already died, and their families who claimed Johnson's Baby Powder contain asbestos which caused them to develop ovarian cancer. It was the first time that asbestos, a known carcinogen was linked with ovarian cancer. Two other actions were previously brought against Johnson & Johnson that alleged that asbestos in Johnson's Baby Powder caused a man's mesothelioma. A New Jersey, jury awarded $80 million in punitive damages and $30 million in compensatory damages to Stephen Lanzo, a local banker, for using Shower to Shower and Johnson's Baby Powder for most of his adult life. The plaintiff claimed that inhaling Johnson's Baby Powder dust caused his mesothelioma. Talcum powder ovarian cancer attorneys continue to defend clients affected by the regular use of Johnson's Baby Powder.
OnderLaw, LLC -