Home / Business and Economy / J&J Talc Powder Lawsuit: $250K Awarded in Cancer Case
J&J Talc Powder Lawsuit: $250K Awarded in Cancer Case
14 Feb
Summary
- A jury awarded $250,000 to a family in a talc powder lawsuit.
- The lawsuit alleged Johnson & Johnson's powder caused ovarian cancer.
- The company faces over 67,000 similar claims nationwide.
A jury in Pennsylvania state court recently awarded $250,000 to the family of Gayle Emerson, who sued Johnson & Johnson.
The lawsuit claimed that J&J's talc-based baby powder was responsible for Emerson's ovarian cancer. The jury awarded $50,000 in compensatory damages and $200,000 in punitive damages, asserting J&J knew of the powder's dangers but failed to warn consumers. Emerson, a Pennsylvania resident, used the product for decades before her diagnosis.
Johnson & Johnson is confronting more than 67,000 lawsuits from plaintiffs alleging its talc products contained asbestos and led to ovarian and other cancers. The company disputes these claims, stating its products are safe and do not cause cancer.
J&J has attempted to resolve the litigation through bankruptcy, but these proposals have been rejected by federal courts. This has led to ongoing legal battles, including a recent $40 million award in California and a ruling allowing expert testimony linking baby powder to ovarian cancer in federal litigation. Johnson & Johnson has indicated it will appeal this ruling.
