As the latest Ovarian Cancer side effects from Talcum Powder trial is off to the races in St. Louis, Missouri, comes news of a recent lawsuit filed by a woman in her nineties.
Woman claims Johnson Baby Powder caused her cancer
Frances Escobedo filed her lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California earlier in the week, claiming that Johnson & Johnson (J&J) failed to warn women about the devastating ovarian cancer side effects linked to their talcum powder product.
According to Escobedo, she used talcum powder products all her life. She developed ovarian cancer in 2013 and had to undergo radical life saving surgeries and chemotherapy.
Fourth Ovarian Cancer Talcum Powder Trial
The latest Talcum Powder Ovarian Cancer trial started February 6, with opening statements today according to the lead plaintiffs’ team.
This fourth trial in St. Louis is brought by more than 60 women and family members against Johnson & Johnson, and is being followed by five additional trials.
Swann vs Johnson & Johnson et. al., which combines the claims of mostly non-residents of Missouri, is held in Missouri’s 22nd Judicial Circuit Court in St. Louis.
Lawsuits nationwide are being filed over allegedly inadequate warnings provided by manufacturers who sell talcum-based products under different names, including Baby Powder, Body Powder and Talc Powder.
Talcum Powder Ovarian Cancer link
Since 1971, more than 20 studies have linked talcum powder to ovarian cancer. In 2003, an analysis of 16 of these studies found that women using talcum powder or baby powder for feminine hygiene, were 33% more likely to develop ovarian cancer.
J&J, the manufacturer of popular talc-based powders like Baby Powder and Shower-to-Shower, according to court documents, knew about the ovarian cancer risk since at least 1982, but failed to warn of the dangers.
Talcum Powder Ovarian Cancer trial updates
There has been 3 major talcum powder ovarian cancer trial verdicts in St. Louis state court, Missouri over the past year.
In February, a jury awarded $72 million to the family of Jacqueline Fox of Birmingham, AL, who used Johnson’s baby powder for 35 years. She was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2013 and died.
In May, the second jury awarded $55 million to Gloria Ristesund of Sioux Falls, SD. She was diagnosed with cancer in 2011 after using J&J’s talc-based feminine hygiene products for almost 40 years.
In October, the third jury awarded more than $70 million in damages to Deborah Giannecchini, 62, of Modesto, CA, on her claim that her use of baby powder and other Johnson & Johnson talc products over 40 years caused her ovarian cancer. She was diagnosed with stage 4 ovarian cancer in 2012 and talc particles was found in her ovaries.
But two cases in New Jersey were thrown out by a judge who said there wasn’t reliable evidence that talc leads to ovarian cancer, an often fatal cancer.
Ovarian Cancer is a big killer
In the U.S., ovarian cancer affects about 24,000 women a year and is the fifth-leading cause of cancer death for women. It is estimated that 14,000 women die from talc-related ovarian cancer each year. One medical expert calculates that the use of talcum powder leads to nearly 10 percent of the new ovarian cancer cases reported annually.
J&J says it will fight on
J&J plans to fight every lawsuit, rather than settle. J&J certainly has the financial muscle of billions of dollars and huge legal resources at their disposal to keep fighting to preserve their brand and tremendous profits into the next decade.
Most of the pending 2,000 plus cases are filed in state court Missouri, California, and federal court New Jersey.
Our law firm continues to investigate Talcum powder linked ovarian cancer personal injury claims from across the country. If you or a loved suffered from Ovarian Cancer after using talcum powder, contact our office immediately for your free consultation.
Shezad Malik is an Internal Medicine and Cardiology specialist, a Texas Medical Doctor (retired) and Defective Medical Device and Dangerous Drug Attorney. Dr. Shezad Malik Law Firm has offices based in Fort Worth and Dallas and represents people who have suffered catastrophic and serious personal injuries including wrongful death, caused by the negligence or recklessness of others.
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