J&J pays $72 million for cancer death linked to talcum powder use

She used Baby Powder and Shower to Shower for feminine hygiene for more than 35 years

Johnson & Johnson (JNJ.N) must pay $72 million to the family of a woman whose death from ovarian cancer was linked to her use of the company’s Powder and Shower to Shower for several decades.

According to Reuters, Missouri state jury awarded the family of Jacqueline Fox $10 million of actual damages and $62 million of punitive damages, while the company faces many other claims filed by citizens that trying to boost sales, it failed to warn consumers that its talc-based products could cause cancer.

Jacqueline Fox, who lived in Alabama, claimed she used Baby Powder and Shower to Shower for feminine hygiene for more than 35 years and she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer three years ago. She died in October at age 62.

Jere Beasley, a lawyer for Fox’s family, said Johnson & Johnson “knew as far back as the 1980s of the risk,” and yet resorted to “lying to the public, lying to the regulatory agencies”.

Johnson & Johnson spokeswoman Carol Goodrich said: “We have no higher responsibility than the health and safety of consumers, and we are disappointed with the outcome of the trial. We sympathize with the plaintiff’s family but firmly believe the safety of cosmetic talc is supported by decades of scientific evidence.”