Johnson & Johnson has been ordered to pay £51 million
damages to the family of a woman whose death from ovarian cancer was linked to
her use of the company’s baby power.
damages to the family of a woman whose death from ovarian cancer was linked to
her use of the company’s baby power.
In a verdict announced late Monday night, jurors in the
circuit court of St. Louis, US, awarded the family of Jacqueline Fox £7 million
of actual damages and £44 million of punitive damages, according to the
family’s lawyers and court records.
circuit court of St. Louis, US, awarded the family of Jacqueline Fox £7 million
of actual damages and £44 million of punitive damages, according to the
family’s lawyers and court records.
The verdict is the first by a U.S. jury to award damages
over the claims, the lawyers said.
over the claims, the lawyers said.
Johnson & Johnson faces several hundred lawsuits
claiming that it, in an effort to boost sales, failed for decades to warn
consumers that its talc-based products could cause cancer.
claiming that it, in an effort to boost sales, failed for decades to warn
consumers that its talc-based products could cause cancer.
Fox, who lived in Birmingham, Alabama, claimed she used Baby
Powder and Shower to Shower for feminine hygiene for more than 35 years before
being diagnosed three years ago with ovarian cancer. She died in October at age
62.
Powder and Shower to Shower for feminine hygiene for more than 35 years before
being diagnosed three years ago with ovarian cancer. She died in October at age
62.
Jere Beasley, a lawyer for Fox’s family, said Johnson &
Johnson “knew as far back as the 1980s of the risk,” and yet resorted
to “lying to the public, lying to the regulatory agencies.”
Johnson “knew as far back as the 1980s of the risk,” and yet resorted
to “lying to the public, lying to the regulatory agencies.”
In October 2013, a federal jury in Sioux Falls, South Dakota
found that plaintiff Deane Berg’s use of Johnson & Johnson’s body powder
products was a factor in her developing ovarian cancer. Nevertheless, it
awarded no damages, court records show.
found that plaintiff Deane Berg’s use of Johnson & Johnson’s body powder
products was a factor in her developing ovarian cancer. Nevertheless, it
awarded no damages, court records show.
Valeant Pharmaceuticals International Inc now owns the
Shower to Shower brand but was not a defendant in the Fox case.
Shower to Shower brand but was not a defendant in the Fox case.
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