Johnson & Johnson vows to appeal $55m talc powder loss

Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) vowed to fight the $55 million loss a Missouri jury handed it this week after finding for a woman who said that using its talc-powder products for feminine hygiene caused her to develop ovarian cancer.

It’s the 2nd verdict to go against the New Brunswick, N.J. healthcare giant, after another Show Me State jury ordered J&J to pay $72 million to the family of a woman whose death from ovarian cancer was linked to her use of its talc-based Baby Powder and Shower to Shower for several decades.

Johnson & Johnson faces roughly 1,200 lawsuits accusing it of not adequately warning consumers about the talc-based products’ cancer risks.

In the latest case to complete a trial, jurors deliberated for about a day before returning a verdict for Gloria Ristesund. She was awarded $5 million in compensatory damages and $50 million in punitive damages.

J&J  said it plans to appeal the verdict.

“Unfortunately, the jury’s decision goes against 30 years of studies by medical experts around the world that continue to support the safety of cosmetic talc. We understand that women and families affected by ovarian cancer are searching for answers, and we deeply sympathize with all who have been affected by this devastating disease with no known cause. Johnson & Johnson has always taken questions about the safety of our products extremely seriously. Multiple scientific and regulatory reviews have determined that talc is safe for use in cosmetic products and the labeling on Johnson’s Baby Powder is appropriate. For over 100 years, Johnson & Johnson has provided consumers with a safe choice for cosmetic powder products and we will continue to work hard to exceed consumer expectations and evolving product preferences,” spokeswoman Carol Goodrich said in prepared remarks.

Ristesund said she used J&J’s talc-based powder products on her genitals for decades. According to her lawyers, she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer and had to undergo a hysterectomy and related surgeries. Her cancer is now in remission.

Jere Beasley, whose firm represents Ristesund, said his client was gratified by the verdict. The jury’s decision should “end the litigation” and compel J&J to settle the remaining cases, he said.

The only other case to be tried involving talc powder and ovarian cancer resulted in a mixed verdict in South Dakota federal court in 2013. While those jurors found J&J was negligent, they awarded no damages to the plaintiff, whose cancer was in remission at the time of the trial.

Material from Reuters was used in this report.

The post Johnson & Johnson vows to appeal $55m talc powder loss appeared first on MassDevice.

from MassDevice http://ift.tt/1W8aWdD