J&J Must Pay $72 Million Over Talc Tied to Woman’s Cancer

By Paul da Costa on May 23, 2016

Johnson & Johnson (J&J) has to pay $62 Million award to the family of Jamie Fox, who died of ovarian cancer last year and $10 million in compensatory damages. Jamie Fox died of ovarian cancer after using J&J’s baby powder and other talc-based products for years. Talc-based products can cause cancer, however, J&J failed to warn their consumers. They were ordered to pay those damages over claims because they knew of this warning decades ago. J&J is also facing about 1,200 suits claiming the Baby Powder and Shower-to-Shower products are linked to ovarian cancer.

Cornstarch has been widely substituted for talc as an absorbent in baby powder and feminine hygiene products. The American Cancer Society in 1999 has advised women to use cornstarch-based products in the genital area. Despite this research, J&J still continues to offer products which contain talc indicating the products are safe to use.

Jamie Fox’s lawyers argued that J&J hid its talc based products’ health risks. Therefore, awarding the family $72 million for compensatory damages and punishment combined. This is the first time that the jury has awarded damages over J&J’s talc-based products.

If you feel you have used products which harmed you without warning, contact Paul M. da Costa, Esq. at Snyder & Sarno, LLC. The attorneys at Snyder & Sarno are experienced in handling all kinds of medical malpractice cases. Call us today at (973) 274-5200.