April 28, 2016 — Trial is underway in St. Louis on behalf of a woman who developed ovarian cancer after using baby powder for nearly 40 years.
The lawsuit (PDF) is Ristesund v. Johnson & Johnson, Case No. 1422-CC09012-01.
It was filed by Gloria Ristesund, a 62 year-old woman from Sioux Falls, South Dakota who started using Johnson’s Baby Powder in 1973. After nearly 40 years, she was diagnosed with endometrial ovarian cancer in 2011 and underwent a hysterectomy.
Ristesund had pre-existing endometriosis, which is a risk-factor for ovarian cancer. Lawyers say that her medical condition, combined with daily use of baby powder in her genital area, increased her risk of cancer by 214%.
In opening statements, lawyers said Johnson & Johnson failed to warn about the risk of ovarian cancer, according to CVN:
“This case is about profit over human life — specifically, women’s lives. … [J&J] put a corporate philosophy of profit over the safety of their customers.”
Just two months ago, another jury in Missouri Circuit Court awarded $72 million to the family of Jacqueline Fox, a black woman from Alabama who died of ovarian cancer after using baby powder for 35 years.
Johnson & Johnson faces about 1,200 lawsuits involving women with ovarian cancer who used baby powder or Shower-to-Shower. The number of lawsuits has grown rapidly since November 2013, when a jury in South Dakota said the company should have warned about the risk of cancer. However, the jury did not award compensation.
In all three trials, lawyers have presented internal memos proving that Johnson & Johnson was aware of the link between talcum powder and cancer. A memo written in 1992 acknowledges the risk, but recommends increasing marketing toward black and Hispanic women. In a memo from 1994, a medical consultant wrote that anyone who denies the risk is “denying the obvious in the face of all evidence to the contrary.”
Do I have a Talc Cancer Lawsuit?
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting talcum powder induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know has been diagnosed with ovarian cancer, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Product Liability Litigation Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.
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