Readers may have heard about the recent product liability lawsuit involving allegations that Johnson & Johnson failed to warn consumers of the dangers talc-containing products posed when used over time. The lawsuit, which resulted in a $417 million jury verdict, was brought by a 63-year-old woman dying of ovarian cancer who had used talc-containing Johnson & Johnson products for most of her life.
The woman’s attorneys argued at trial that Johnson & Johnson knew of the connection between talc and ovarian cancer, but failed to warn consumers about the danger. They cited a study from 1982 showing that women who used talc for feminine hygiene had a 92 percent increased risk of developing ovarian cancer. The lead researcher behind that study had recommended that the company warn of the risk on its product labels.