Woman awarded $70 million after claiming baby powder caused her cancer

A California woman has been awarded $70 million in damages after claiming that Johnson & Johnson’s baby powder caused her ovarian cancer.

Deborah Giannecchini, who has been diagnosed with Stage 4 ovarian cancer, was on Thursday awarded the said sum by a jury in St. Louis.

The suit accused Johnson & Johnson of “negligent conduct” by making and marketing its baby powder – which had used for several years.

“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,” Jim Onder, an attorney for the plaintiff, told The Associated Press.

“We deeply sympathize with the women and families impacted by ovarian cancer,” Carol Goodrich, a spokeswoman with 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.”

According to ABC, earlier this year, two other lawsuits in St. Louis ended in jury verdicts worth a combined $127 million.

About 2,000 women have filed similar suits, and lawyers are reviewing thousands of other potential cases.

According to a press release from the law firm representing her, the award breakdown is as follows:

$575,000 in economic damages

$2,000,000 Million in non-economic damages

$65 Million in punitive damages against Johnson & Johnson

$2.5 Million in punitive damages against Imerys