Dallas Fort Worth Injury Lawyer Blog
I am providing this timely update for women who have succumbed to talcum powder linked ovarian cancer .
Talcum powder ovarian cancer. Medical research and jurors have found talcum powder ovarian cancer link.
Talcum Powder Ovarian Cancer link
Since 1971, more than 20 studies have linked talcum powder to ovarian cancer. In 2003, an analysis of 16 of these studies found that women using talcum powder or baby powder for feminine hygiene, were 33% more likely to develop ovarian cancer.
Johnson & Johnson (J&J), the manufacturer of popular talc-based powders like Baby Powder and Shower-to-Shower, according to court documents, knew about the ovarian cancer risk since at least 1982, but failed to warn of the dangers.
Several thousand women have filed personal injury and product liability lawsuits against J&J. Medical research has found talcum powder ovarian cancer link, and jurors agree awarding significant verdicts against J&J for failing to warn the public about the dangers that its talcum powder products can lead to ovarian cancer.
Talcum Powder Ovarian Cancer trial updates
There has been 3 major talcum powder ovarian cancer trials in St. Louis state court, Missouri over the past year.
In February, a jury awarded $72 million to the family of Jacqueline Fox of Birmingham, AL, who used Johnson’s baby powder for 35 years. She was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2013 and died.
In May, the second jury awarded $55 million to Gloria Ristesund of Sioux Falls, SD. She was diagnosed with cancer in 2011 after using J&J’s talc-based feminine hygiene products for almost 40 years.
In October, the third jury awarded more than $70 million in damages to Deborah Giannecchini, 62, of Modesto, CA, on her claim that her use of baby powder and other Johnson & Johnson talc products over 40 years caused her ovarian cancer. She was diagnosed with stage 4 ovarian cancer in 2012 and talc particles was found in her ovaries.
J&J attempts to close down St. Louis Court to out of state plaintiffs
In a victory for plaintiffs in talcum powder litigation against J&J, the Missouri Court of Appeals opened its trial courts to 1,350 plaintiffs who are not Missouri residents.
This ruling is a major set back for J&J, who want to keep the lawsuits out of the Missouri courts and funnel them into the New Jersey courts where a judge excluded their causation experts. New Jersey is the corporate home state for J&J with corporation friendly judges.
J&J had asked the appellate court to deny the jurisdiction of the 22nd Circuit Court in St. Louis to hear the cases of out-of-state plaintiffs. The motion was denied without comment.
Talcum Powder Ovarian Cancer trials continue
The next trial is set for February 6. This latest trial is brought by more than 60 women and family members against J&J, followed by five additional trials.
Ovarian Cancer is a big deal
In the U.S., ovarian cancer affects about 24,000 women a year and is the fifth-leading cause of cancer death for women. It is estimated that 14,000 women die from talc-related ovarian cancer each year. One medical expert calculates that the use of talcum powder leads to nearly 10 percent of the new ovarian cancer cases reported annually.
J&J says it will fight on
J&J, the world’s largest pharmaceutical and medical device health care giant plans to fight every lawsuit, rather than settle. J&J certainly has the financial muscle and legal resources at their disposal to keep fighting to preserve their brand and tremendous profits into the next decade.
Most of the pending 2,000 plus cases are filed in state court Missouri, California, and federal court New Jersey.