California woman awarded $97.45 million over claims baby talc gave her ovarian cancer

A bottle of Johnson and Johnson Baby Powder in New York. PHOTO: REUTERS

LOS ANGELES - A woman from California has been awarded more than US$70 million (S$97.45 million) after a court found that she got ovarian cancer from using Johnson & Johnson's baby talc.

Ms Deborah Giannecchini of Modesto had accused the firm of "negligent conduct" in making and marketing the product, reported Sky News.

The company insists the product is safe, with some research finding no link or a weak one between ovarian cancer and baby powder. But other research has found that women who regularly use talc on their genital area face a 40 per cent higher risk of developing ovarian cancer.

The woman's lawyer Jim Onder said: "We are pleased the jury did the right thing. They once again reaffirmed the need for Johnson & Johnson to warn the public of the ovarian cancer risk associated with its product."

But Johnson & Johnson said in a statement: "We will appeal today's verdict because we are guided by the science, which supports the safety of Johnson's Baby Powder."

Two similar lawsuits in St Louis ended in verdicts worth a combined US$127 million against the company, but two others in New Jersey were thrown out by a judge.

About 2,000 women have filed similar lawsuits and lawyers are reviewing thousands of cases, reported Sky News.

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