$72M Awarded in Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder Case

WebMD News from HealthDay

Feb. 24, 2016 — The family of an Alabama woman who died from ovarian cancer she alleged was linked to talcum in Johnson & Johnson baby powder and other products was awarded $72 million by a Missouri jury.

Jackie Fox died in October 2015 at age 62, more than two years after her cancer diagnosis. But her son took over as plaintiff in her civil suit that was part of legal action against Johnson & Johnson involving nearly 60 people in the city of St. Louis Circuit Court, theAssociated Press reported.

The jury’s verdict on Monday night came after nearly five hours of deliberations after a three-week trial. The jury awarded $10 million in actual damages and $62 million in punitive damages.

It’s expected that New Jersey-based Johnson & Johnson — the world’s largest maker of health care products — will appeal the verdict, said attorney James Onder, the AP reported.

The company is considering its next legal move, according to spokeswoman Carol Goodrich. The verdict “goes against decades of sound science proving the safety of talc as a cosmetic ingredient in multiple products,” she said in a written statement.

The Fox trial was the first such case of more than 1,000 nationwide to result in a monetary award by a jury, the AP reported.

Copyright © 2013-2016 HealthDay. All rights reserved.