Johnson & Johnson Ordered to Pay $55M in Talcum Powder Cancer Case

Pharmaceutical giant Johnson & Johnson has been ordered to pay $55 million to an American woman who says the company’s talcum powder caused her to develop ovarian cancer.

Following a three-week-long trial in Missouri, jurors decided on Monday in favor of Gloria Ristesund, Reuters reports. The 62-year-old plaintiff said she had used the company’s talc-based powders as feminine hygiene products for decades. According to her lawyers, she developed ovarian cancer and had to get a hysterectomy.

The decision follows a previous case in the same court in February, in which a family of a woman who died of ovarian cancer was awarded $72 million.

According to Reuters, the company is facing 1,2000 similar lawsuits, accusing the Johnson & Johnson of not adequately warning its consumers about the cancer risks to its talcum-based products, which include Baby Powder and Shower to Shower Powder.

J&J, reports Reuters, says its cosmetic talc is safe and that Monday’s verdict at the Missouri state court contradicts 30 years of research. The company intends to appeal the jury decision.

[Reuters]