Missouri Talcum Powder Litigation Set to Begin Fourth Ovarian Cancer Trial

Published on January 20, 2017 by Sandy Liebhard

For the fourth time, a Missouri jury will be convened to weigh arguments in a talcum powder lawsuit filed against Johnson & Johnson, the company behind Baby Powder and Shower-to-Shower. Jury selection is scheduled to begin Monday, January 30^th in St. Louis, where hundreds of claims have been filed on behalf of women who allegedly developed ovarian cancer after using the company’s talc-based powders or feminine hygiene.

This latest case was brought by a 56-year-old woman who was diagnosed with ovarian cancer after using Johnson & Johnson’s talcum powders for more than 36 years. She claims that the company has long ignored mounting evidence, including studies published as early as the 1970s, that suggests the regular and repeated application of talcum powder to the female genitals contributes to the development of the disease. Rather than warning consumers of this risk, plaintiffs claim that Johnson & Johnson made a deliberate decision to continue marketing talcum powders as safe for feminine hygiene in order to protect sales of the products.

Missouri Talcum Powder Verdicts

Missouri  convened three talcum powder trials in 2016. Last October, the jury hearing evidence in the state’s third trial awarded $70 million in compensatory and punitive damage to an ovarian cancer victim who had used Baby Powder on a daily basis for more than 40 years. Two other Missouri trials concluded last year, resulting in awards of $72 million and $55 million for the plaintiffs involved in those cases.

Johnson & Johnson is appealing all three verdicts.

In October, all federally-filed Johnson & Johnson talcum powder lawsuits were centralized in a multidistrict litigation that is currently underway in the U.S. District Court, District of New Jersey. At least 60 cases are now pending in that proceeding.  Johnson & Johnson is also facing talcum powder litigations in New Jersey and California state courts

Contact a Talcum Powder Attorney Today

Bernstein Liebhard LLP is offering free  legal reviews to  anyone who wishes to file a talcum powder lawsuit on behalf of themselves or a loved one. To learn more, please call