A judge in Missouri upheld the $110 million verdict in a lawsuit that genital use of Johnson & Johnson’s talcum powder caused a woman’s ovarian cancer. According to a news report in the St. Louis Business Journal, Judge Rex Burlison of the 22nd Judicial Circuit Court ruled that a St. Louis court had proper jurisdiction to hear this talcum powder lawsuit because PharmaTech, which is based in Union, Missouri, packages and distributes J&J talcum powder products.
Judge Rules in Favor of Plaintiff
The verdict was reached by a St. Louis jury back in May 2017 and was called into question after a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that established stricter standards for lawsuits brought forth by out-of-state plaintiffs. The judge wrote in his opinion that the plaintiffs in the case have properly established that “specific personal jurisdiction” exists.
The jury had ordered the pharmaceutical giant to pay $110 million to 61-year-old Lois Slemp of Virginia who said that she had used J&J’s talcum powder products for feminine hygiene, which led to the development of her ovarian cancer. Talc supplier, Imerys, was also a defendant in this case.
Link Between Talc and Ovarian Cancer
Thousands of lawsuits have been filed across the country by women who claim that their genital use of talcum powder for decades has their ovarian cancer. Many victims have died from cancer even before they had their day in court. Some came to their trials feeble and frail and barely able to testify in their own case. Courts have been flooded with requests to expedite these cases because plaintiffs might die without getting their day in court.
However, in each one of these cases, J&J has maintained that its products are safe and that the ovarian cancer is not caused by talc. What we do know is that talc is a soft mineral composed of magnesium, silicon, oxygen and hydrogen. Due to its moisture absorbing capabilities, it is commonly used in powders and other cosmetics.
Women sometimes use talcum powder on their genital areas, sanitary napkins or diaphragms to absorb moisture and odor. Asbestos, which is a known carcinogen, turns up as an impurity in talc and has been banned for several decades. Even pediatricians discourage the use of talcum powder on babies because the particles can cause breathing issues. More than 22,000 women in the United States will be diagnosed with ovarian cancer this year, and 14,000 will die.
Why Call d’Oliveira & Associates?
If you have been diagnosed with ovarian cancer after using Johnson & Johnson’s talcum powder products, you may be entitled to compensation. You may be able to receive compensation for medical bills, lost income and pain and suffering, among other losses. If you have lost a loved one to ovarian cancer, you may also be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit as well. Our Rhode Island personal injury law firm works with some of the most experienced and knowledgeable talcum powder lawyers, who charge no legal fees unless you receive a settlement or award. Contact us toll-free at 1-800-992-6878 or fill out a contact form online for a free (no-obligation) legal evaluation.
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Paul d’Oliveira
Attorney Paul d’Oliveira has been practicing personal injury and disability law for over 30 years. He started his personal injury law practice in 1989 with two offices in Fall River, MA and East Providence, RI. Today his firm has 16 offices in RI and Southeastern, MA.
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