On August 21, 2017, a Los Angeles jury issued a $417 million verdict against
Johnson & Johnson, finding the company at fault for failing to warn
about the risks of using its
talcum powder products.
This verdict is the largest award yet among thousands of lawsuits claiming
that J&J ignored studies linking its talcum powder products to ovarian
cancer. Over 4,500 lawsuits are pending throughout the country.
The plaintiff in this case, Eva Echeverria, 62, was diagnosed with ovarian
cancer in 2007, after using Johnson’s Baby Powder regularly since
she was 11 years old. Echeverria, who is now near death and was unable
to attend the trial, testified in a video that if Johnson & Johnson
had put a warning on the product, she would have stopped using it.
The jury found that there was a connection between Echeverria’s ovarian
cancer and her use of baby powder, awarding her $70 million in compensatory
damages and $347 million in punitive damages.
Four previous juries have also awarded plaintiffs multi-million dollar
verdicts against the drug company giant.
As in other cases, Johnson & Johnson immediately announced that it
would seek to overturn the verdict because they believe science “supports
the safety of Johnson’s Baby Powder.” However, evidence shows
that Johnson & Johnson was advised by researchers to put warning labels
on their products decades ago to prevent further injury!
The case is
Echeverria v. Johnson & Johnson, BC628228, Los Angeles County Superior Court.
Sources: bloomberg.com and latimes.com
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with ovarian cancer that you believe
may be connected to talcum powder,
call Metzger Wickersham for a free case review.
Our Pennsylvania talc lawyers can let you know whether you are owed compensation!
Further Reading:
J&J Loses Another Multi-Million Dollar Verdict Over Talcum Powder
Fourth Talcum Powder Case Goes to Trial
Johnson & Johnson Loses Third Trial Over Talc Powder
Ovarian Cancer Linked to Talc-Based Powder