A court judge in Los Angeles throws out a $417 million case verdict against Johnson & Johnson, due to 'unconvincing evidence'. Previously, Johnson & Johnson was ordered to pay the large sum to a woman who claimed that the company's 'talcum powder' product caused her to develop ovarian cancer.
Johnson & Johnson Case Verdict
Back in August, a Los Angeles jury ordered Johnson & Johnson to pay $417 million to Eva Echeverria in a lawsuit that claims the company's talc-based baby powder causes ovarian cancer when used regularly.
However, Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Maren Nelson decided to grant Johnson & Johnson's request for a new trial. He said that the previous trial contained errors and that he didn't feel convinced by the evidence that was put forward by the company.
Johnson & Johnson said it was pleased with the judge's decision and that it plans to continue to defend the safety of its product as it prepares to face more additional trials in the United States.
Eva Echeverria's Claims
According to Echeverria, Johnson & Johnson failed to warn its consumers about the potential risks associated with the use of talcum powder. She has been using the company's product everyday from the 1950's up to 2016.
In 2007, she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer and has undergone surgery to remove a softball-sized tumor.
Similar Cases In The Past
To date, Johnson & Johnson has lost about four out of five cases that were tried by Missouri juries. Last year, a St. Louis Jury awarded $72 million to a family of a woman who died from ovarian cancer. The woman also claimed that her cancer was caused by the pharmaceutical company's talc-based powder.
In another case, a jury ordered Johnson & Johnson to pay $55 million to a woman from South Dakota with similar claims, prompting many questions about the saftey of such products.
Talcum Powder: Is It Safe?
Talcum powder is a clay mineral mined from deposits around the world. It is composed of hydrated magnesium silicate and is considered the softest of all minerals and one of the most widely used substances since ancient times. Johnson & Johnson has been using this substance to produce its Baby Powder since the 1890's.
Research on the relationship between talcum powder and ovarian cancer dates back to 1971, when scientists managed to find particles of talc in cervical and ovarian tumors; however, the results are mixed. According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), studies have suggested that talcum powder might cause cancer when it is directly applied on sanitary napkins or to the genital area.
