Johnson & Johnson to pay $72m for causing terminal illness.

A shocking news report has revealed that the Johnson & Johnson company has been ordered by a court in Alabama to pay $72 million in damages to the family of a woman who died of cancer.

That works out at around £50 million. The woman had long claimed that the Talcum powder in Johnson’s baby powder had been the cause of her ovarian cancer.

That works out at around £50 million. The woman had long claimed that the Talcum powder in Johnson’s baby powder had been the cause of her ovarian cancer.

This in something that the company strongly disagree with and are considering appealing.

Ms Fox who died at the age of 62, claimed she had used baby powder for more that 35 years for feminine hygiene before being diagnosed three years ago. The claim was then made that Johnson & Johnson knew of the risks involved with their product, yet they continuously failed to warn consumers.

The jury said that Fox was entitled to $10m in actual damages and $62m in punitive damages.

This isn’t the first time the major company has been under fire for its products. In 2009 a national campaign was started to have ‘unsafe’ cosmetic products banned. This included Johnson & Johnson no more tears shampoo which is thought to contain harmful ingredients.

The company still face a further 1,200 still-pending lawsuits from similar cases to Ms Fox’s.

Talc is a naturally occurring mineral, mined from the soil and composed of magnesium, silicon, oxygen, and hydrogen. It is widely used in cosmetics and personal care products, such as talcum powder, to absorb moisture, prevent caking and improve the product’s feel.

CLICK HERE to read more over on the Guardian.