More than 38,000 lawsuits currently filed in state and federal courts across the nation charge that Johnson & Johnson and its talc supplier Imerys Talc America failed for decades to warn women that use of its talc-based products could cause cancer. Recent trial outcomes include:
Ingham et al vs Johnson & Johnson
A St. Louis jury has awarded $550 million in actual damages and an additional $4.14 billion in punitive damages to the 22 women who alleged Johnson & Johnson talcum powder products caused them to develop ovarian cancer. The trial started June 6 in the Circuit Court of the City of St. Louis, Missouri.
Blaes, Crews and Evans vs Johnson & Johnson
Plaintiffs represent the estates of three women who died from ovarian cancer following long-term genital applications of talcum powder. The lawsuit challenges that Shawn Blaes, Angela Dawn Hershman and Eron Evans each developed ovarian cancer after decades of using talc-based feminine hygene products, including Johnson & Johnson’s Baby Power and Shower to Shower products.
Eva Echeverria vs Johnson & Johnson
August 2017: A Los Angeles jury found Johnson & Johnson talc products responsible for plaintiff Eva Echeverria’s ovarian cancer and returned a $417 million verdict. In October 2017, the trial judge in this case reversed the jury’s verdict and ordered a new trial, which is pending.
Slemp vs Johnson & Johnson
May 2017: A St. Louis jury returned a $110 million verdict against Johnson & Johnson for failing to disclose the cancer risk from its Baby Powder and Shower to Shower products in connection with Ms. Slemp’s cancer. After five years of cancer and treatment, she was too frail to attend her trial.
Giannecchini vs Johnson & Johnson
October 2016: A St. Louis jury returned a $70 million verdict against Johnson & Johnson and Imerys Talc America for failing to provide warning labels on its talc products in connection with the ovarian cancer of Deborah Giannecchini. She had used baby powder for over 40 years when she was diagnosed at age 59 and has endured chemotherapy and multiple surgeries.
Ristesund vs Johnson & Johnson
May 2016: A Missouri state jury awarded $55 million to 62-year-old Gloria Ristesund, who developed ovarian cancer after decades of using talc baby powder. Jurors in this case heard evidence that J&J specifically marketed its talc-based powders to African-American and Hispanic communities. A Missouri Court of Appeals overturned this verdict based on a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling in an unrelated case. But the Ristesund family is continuing to fight for justice.
Fox vs Johnson & Johnson
Feb. 2016: A jury in St. Louis awarded $72 million to the family of Jacqueline Fox, who died at age 62 from ovarian cancer. A Missouri Court of Appeals overturned this verdict based on a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling in an unrelated case. But the Fox family is continuing to fight for justice.
Berg vs Johnson & Johnson
2009: In the first trial involving a woman who developed ovarian cancer after using Johnson & Johnson talc products, a jury in South Dakota found that J&J products had contributed to Ms. Berg’s cancer but awarded no monetary damages.