A judge has tossed out a $417-million US jury award to a woman who claimed she developed ovarian cancer by using Johnson & Johnson talc-based baby powder for feminine hygiene. A Los Angeles County judge granted the company’s request for a new trial because of errors and jury misconduct in the previous trial that ended with the award two months ago. The case is one of many being defended by J & J in the context of limited evidence — some say none — that the powder can cause such sickness. The judge also ruled that there wasn’t convincing evidence that Johnson & Johnson acted with malice and the award for damages was excessive. Complainant Eva Echeverria had alleged J & J failed to adequately warn consumers about talcum powder’s potential cancer risks. She used the company’s baby powder on a daily basis beginning in the 1950s until 2016 and was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2007, according to court papers. The company say that while ovarian cancer is a devastating disease, it is not caused by the cosmetic-grade talc used in Johnson’s Baby Powder for decades. Woman awarded $110.5 million in talcum-powder lawsuit
