Earlier this month, health care products giant Johnson & Johnson was ordered to pay out roughly $72 million to one woman over allegations that the company’s talcum powder caused her ovarian cancer. According to one local news source reporting on the case, the case relied not just on the fact that Johnson & Johnson’s product caused the woman’s cancer but also on the fact that the company failed to warn customers of known risks associated with the product.
The Facts of the Case
The plaintiffs in the case were the family members of a woman who had used Johnson & Johnson’s “Shower to Shower” brand talcum powder for decades. The powder was marketed back in the 1970s as a safe feminine-hygiene product. However, there was evidence submitted at trial suggesting that Johnson & Johnson was aware of research indicating that the powder was not as safe as it was marketed to be. This decisive evidence was in the form of internal Johnson & Johnson documents.
Johnson & Johnson lawyers argued that there was no proof that the woman’s cancer was caused by the use of the company’s product. However, the jury rejected that argument and awarded the woman’s family roughly $72 million – an amount far-and-beyond the $22 million requested by the family.
The Use of Talcum Powder in Other Products
Talcum powder, or “talc” as it is commonly known, is still used in numerous products today, including wallboard. It is also used to keep elastic inflatable balloons from sticking together. However, in recent years, cornstarch has been used as a safer alternative to talc. Indeed, back in 1999, the American Cancer Association advised that only cornstarch-based products should used for feminine-hygiene.
Product Liability Lawsuits in Maryland
In Maryland, customers are protected from the dissemination of dangerous products into the stream of commerce through the availability of product liability lawsuits, like the one discussed above. Depending on the circumstances of the injuries, the manufacturers, retailers, and distributors of any dangerous product may be held liable for any injuries caused by the product. In many cases, an injured party does not even need to prove that the defendant in the case knew that the product was dangerous. To learn more about product liability cases, contact a dedicated attorney in your area.
Have You Been the Victim of a Dangerous Product?
If you or a loved one has recently been injured through the regular use of what ended up being a dangerous product, you may be entitled to monetary compensation for any injuries you sustained. The skilled personal injury advocates at the Maryland-based law firm of Lebowitz & Mzhen Personal Injury Lawyers have decades of experience handling these types of claims and know what it takes to be successful for their clients. Call 410-654-3600 today to set up a free consultation with an experienced attorney to go over your case. The only way to hold the responsible party accountable may be through litigation, and we are prepared to take your case to trial should it be necessary.
More Blog Posts:
Medical Malpractice Case Dismissed for Failure to Comply with Medical Expert Requirements, Maryland Accident Law Blog, February 15, 2016.
Maryland Court Allows Plaintiff to Recover Compensation After Accident with Police but Limits Damages Under Tort Claims Act, Maryland Accident Law Blog, February 1, 2016.