A California judge threw out a $417 million verdict against Johnson & Johnson in a lawsuit by Eva Echeverria – who claimed she developed ovarian cancer after using Johnson & Johnson products like Baby Powder for feminine hygiene.
Echeverria died in August after battling ovarian cancer for 10 years.
The judge also granted Johnson & Johnson’s request for a new trial, citing errors and insufficient evidence to merit the verdict. Echeverria’s lawyer indicated he would appeal, saying:
“We will continue to fight on behalf of all women who have been impacted by this dangerous product.”
The ruling is just another setback facing women and their family members who have accused Johnson & Johnson of not sufficiently warning consumers about the risks. The company faces lawsuits from nearly 5,000 plaintiffs with specific talc-related claims. In Missouri alone, Johnson & Johnson has had to compensate over $300 million to plaintiffs.
Furthermore, this reversal not only marks another chapter in Echeverria’s case – but in the ongoing debate about whether talc-based products (like Baby Powder) causes cancer; specifically ovarian cancers.
In a 1971 study published by the International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, researchers found talc particles in 10 of the 13 ovarian cancer tumors they examined. The debate has since raged on, with experts divided.
According to the American Cancer Society:
“Many studies in women have looked at the possible link between talcum powder and cancer of the ovary. Findings have been mixed, with some studies reporting a slightly increased risk and some reporting no increase.”
The National Institute of Health has also weighed in on the debate, indicating that after their studies:
“…data collectively do not indicate that cosmetic talc causes ovarian cancer.”
When it comes to Echeverria’s case, there are other legal factors that lead to the court’s decision to reverse the verdict. And perhaps many are of the mind that the dollar amount might be excessive considering no direct cause can be proved – and perhaps it’s too much to expect a direct cause to be found (recall that even cigarette boxes had the warning “smoking may cause cancer” and seems like today no one is unclear about the relationship between cigarettes and cancer).
But the greater point that lingers is the relationship between talc-based products and the scientific studies which at the very least suggest some correlation.
So it’s important for everyone to be aware of the debate (medical and legal) regarding ovarian cancer and talc-based products so they can make their informed opinions on what to buy, use, or avoid.
