A woman from Virginia has been awarded more than $110 million in compensation in a suit against the manufacturer of baby powder. The class action litigation alleged that the baby powder created by manufacturing giant Johnson & Johnson caused the woman’s ovarian cancer. There are about 2,000 such lawsuits against the company in the United States and many more that have been launched in Canada.
The plaintiffs are blaming their health problems on talcum products made by the company and used by consumers for decades. Johnson & Johnson says it will appeal the decision as it is appealing all decisions which have awarded damages to consumers. In the 1970s, research began to find a link between talcum powder and the incidents of cancer in women who used the talc on their genital areas. Studies showed that those who used the product faced up to a 40 percent increased risk of getting ovarian cancer.
Despite scientific research showing that using talcum powder in the genital area — on underwear or sanitary pads — leads to an increased risk for ovarian cancer. Johnson & Johnson refutes the claim. The company has continued to offer the product (without warning labels) for sale both in the U.S. and Canada.
Any consumers in Canada who believe they have been harmed by the talc product should speak with a lawyer who has experience in class action litigation. A lawyer will guide clients in each step of the process when launching a suit against a manufacturer of a product that may be linked to their health problems. Every individual who believes there is a link between a product and ill health has the right to seek legal counsel.
Source: globalnews.ca, “Virginia woman awarded record $110.5M in Johnson & Johnson’s baby powder cancer lawsuit – National“, Accessed on Sept. 1, 2017
