Jury Blames Talcum Powder for Ovarian Cancer

Jury Blames Talcum Powder for Ovarian Cancer - No Evidence Needed!

I have written about talcum powder previously. Indeed, I have not only opined on the slippery substance, but I am also a regular consumer of the product. Talcum powder has become magic legal dust that brings forth zillions of dollars to those who have been attacked by the poisonous toxin.

Just last year, I informed readers of $55 million and $72 million judgments to cancer victims who used powder against the manufacturer Johnson & Johnson. Earlier this year a Missouri woman was awarded $110 in damages.

Recently, a jury in California, where the cost of everything is stratospheric, ordered J & J to pay damages to a victim of ovarian cancer. The jury clearly wanted to send the company and corporate America a monetary message that went beyond the pinprick judgements that were issued against J & J last year.

Readers at this point are invited to consider what would constitute reasonable damages if it were proven true that the product caused the cancer and the company knew of this risk and did not provide adequate warning to the public. Make your guess before reading on.

Here are some price comparisons to test your sanity

Private Gulfstream Jet $70 million

Penthouse in NYC’s Plaza Hotel $40 million

Alexander Hamilton Autograph $1,000

Bentley Automobile $230,000

100 meter Superyacht $275 million

California Jury Award $417 million

You may resume breathing now. Of course, the plaintiff’s attorneys were able to string a circuitous array of dots that connected talcum powder to cancer in front of a jury who was likely more sympathetic to a dying victim than to a megacorporation. But, sympathy is not evidence and being a successful company does not define negligence.

Few strands of GW's hair is a bargain at $22,800!

This mega-judgment is rendered beyond absurd when one accepts that there is no convincing and consistent scientific conclusion that talcum powder is the responsible agent. The studies have largely demonstrated an association, which are not designed to determine cause and effect.

What should product manufacturers do? Should every package include a boxed warning that the product can cause misery and death just to cover themselves? Perhaps, not. This would only give customers anxiety, pain and suffering. Guess what would happen next?

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