In a historic verdict, a jury on Monday, awarded $417 million to a California woman as compensation. The woman developed cancer after using Johnson And Johnson Baby Powder for years. The victim, a 63-year old woman said that she used the talc powder on her genital area for over five decades.
What did the lawsuit involve?
Eva Echeverria used the Johnson and Johnson Baby Powder since she was just 11-years-old but later she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. In 2016, she stopped using the product after reading a news article, which said that another woman who had been using the talc had also been diagnosed with the same cancer.
Echeverria's case is the first of its kind among hundreds of claimants in California who believe that Johnson and Johnson should be held responsible for not informing the public of the potential cancer risk from using the product.
Juries in other states have also listened to similar cases against the company and have delivered verdicts against the baby powder maker. One case was dismissed from a court in New Jersey. Many similar cases have been filed against the company and are currently being waiting to be heard in state and federal courts. Echeverria said that the products should have carried a warning label to let people know that it involved cancer risks. Echeverria claims that she would not have used the product if the product packaging included a warning.
Does the talc powder usage really cause ovarian cancer?
Research into usage of talc powders, such as the one produced by Johnson and Johnson, have revealed inconclusive results. While some of the studies have shown that these products may be causing increased ovarian cancer cases, others have found no such connection. The International Agency for Research on Cancer states that the use of the talc powders on the genital areas of the body may be seen as carcinogenic in human beings.
Johnson and Johnson does not need to have a warning label for cancer on the product because legally the talc powder is not a drug and does not need to adhere to the guidelines set by the FDA. However, the company still needs to advertise each of the components being used to produce the talc and the product must also be considered safe to use under labeled or customary conditions of use. The company spokesperson said on Monday, that it would appeal the verdict and that it completely stands by its talc powder product, CNN reported.
