Largest Verdict Ever? $4.69 Billion Awarded to Talcum Powder Victims

By Jason Bottlinger on August 8, 2018

After six weeks of grueling testimony and eight hours of deliberation, a St. Louis jury has awarded 22 ovarian cancer victims and their families $4.69 billion.

We already covered another large verdict awarded to an ovarian cancer victim in California last year, in the amount of $417 million. (This verdict was later overturned, but many other juries across the United States have returned similar results, totaling millions of dollars for victims.) This new, decisive victory paves the way for more lawsuits against pharmaceutical giant Johnson & Johnson.

The successful lawsuit alleged that Johnson & Johnson spent 40 years covering up the fact that their Baby Powder and Shower to Shower products contained asbestos, a well-known carcinogen, alongside the talc used as powder. Six of the plaintiffs had already succumbed to the deadly cancer by the time the case went to trial. The $4.69 billion verdict breaks down into $550 million in compensation, and $4.14 billion in punitive damages. It is said to be the sixth largest product liability verdict in U.S. history. There are currently about 9,000 similar claims pending, and similar verdicts are expected.

If you used Johnson & Johnson’s talc-based products for feminine hygiene within the last four decades and developed ovarian cancer, or lost a loved one who did, you may be eligible for significant compensation. But Johnson & Johnson is a huge corporation with deep pockets and armies of lawyers. They are already appealing this verdict, and intend to fight new claims every inch of the way. To get the compensation you deserve, you’ll need the representation of an experienced lawyer who handles talcum powder lawsuits.

For over 10 years, Bottlinger Law L.L.C. has stood up for injury victims throughout Nebraska, Iowa, and Texas. We will put our skill and experience behind your claim. Please call (402) 505-8234 today for a free case evaluation.