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 The verdict, which J&J plans to appeal, was the second straight
trial loss for the company, which is facing about 1,200 lawsuits
accusing it of not adequately warning consumers about its talc-based
products' cancer risks.
Following a three-week trial in Missouri state court, jurors
deliberated for about a day before returning a verdict for Gloria
Ristesund. She was awarded $5 million in compensatory damages and
$50 million in punitive damages.
J&J spokeswoman Carol Goodrich said the verdict contradicted 30
years of research supporting the safety of cosmetic talc. The
company intends to appeal and will keep defending its products'
safety, she said.
 Ristesund said she used J&J’s talc-based powder products – which
include the well-known Baby Powder and Shower to Shower Powder – on
her genitals for decades. According to her lawyers, she was
diagnosed with ovarian cancer and had to undergo a hysterectomy and
related surgeries. Her cancer is now in remission.
Jere Beasley, whose firm represents Ristesund, said his client was
gratified with the verdict. The jury's decision should "end the
litigation" and compel J&J to settle the remaining cases, he said.
J&J shares were down 18 cents in after-hours trading to $112.57.
The verdict followed a $72 million jury award from the same court in
February to the family of a woman who died from ovarian cancer after
years of using talc powder for feminine hygiene.
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That verdict, which J&J is appealing, sparked renewed interest in
talc-powder lawsuits among plaintiffs' lawyers, as well as consumers
familiar with J&J's powder products. But scientists have told
Reuters the evidence of a real danger is inconclusive.
Plaintiffs in talc litigation, which is concentrated in Missouri and
New Jersey state courts, have accused J&J of failing for years to
warn that talc was linked to an increased risk for ovarian cancer.
J&J has said it acted properly in developing and marketing the
products.
The only other case to be tried involving talc powder and ovarian
cancer resulted in a mixed verdict in South Dakota federal court in
2013. While those jurors found J&J was negligent, they awarded no
damages to the plaintiff, whose cancer was in remission at the time
of the trial.
Reuters viewed the proceedings on Courtroom View Network.
(Reporting by Jessica Dye; Editing by Leslie Adler and Peter Cooney)
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