Lawsuit Funding Can Benefit Plaintiffs in Talcum Powder Lawsuits
A second plaintiff has won her talcum powder lawsuit in Missouri state court, giving hope to other women with pending cases against J&J.
The jury awarded the plaintiff $55 million after determining talcum powder manufacturer Johnson & Johnson was negligent in warning women about the cancer risks associated with their product.
Talc and ovarian cancer
Allegations against Johnson & Johnson include the claim that regular use of talcum powder products like Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder around the genital area led to an increased risk of ovarian cancer. The plaintiffs in these cases were diagnosed with ovarian cancer, often in the later stages of the disease when the treatment becomes more extensive and the prognosis is not as positive. Some of these women have died, leaving their families to pick up the pieces and assume the financial burdens from their illnesses.
For talcum powder plaintiffs who are still waiting for their day in court, the financial pressure can be difficult. Even with two positive jury verdicts, those in legal limbo know it could be some time before they see a jury award or settlement to help them cover the costs that continue to grow. Some plaintiffs may find relief in lawsuit funding that gives them the cash they need while they wait out the legal process.
Legal funding is similar to a cash advance — which is based on the anticipated jury award or settlement a plaintiff might receive. The money is available right away, instead of waiting for the lengthy legal process to be completed. This allows a plaintiff financial relief from the burden of medical bills, lost wages and basic living expenses that commonly arise in the event of a serious illness.
Plaintiffs who fail to recover monetary damages in their case do not have to repay the lawsuit cash advance, since legal funding is non-recourse.
Multi-million dollar verdicts
The first plaintiff to win a talc lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson was diagnosed with ovarian cancer after sprinkling baby powder in her underwear for all of her adult life. Jacqueline Fox died of her cancer in 2015, before her case was decided. The case was continued by her son after her death and the jury awarded the family $72 million.
The second case, which was decided just three months later, involved a woman who was diagnosed with ovarian cancer after using Johnson & Johnson’s talcum powder for more than 35 years. Gloria Ristesund was diagnosed in 2011 and is now in remission from her cancer after undergoing a hysterectomy. The jury in her case also determined Johnson & Johnson was liable for negligence and awarded Ristesund $55 million in damages.
Currently, Johnson & Johnson is facing more than 1,000 lawsuits filed by plaintiffs with similar allegations. Most of the cases are currently pending in New Jersey and Missouri state courts.
If you have a pending talcum powder lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson, financial help is available. At LawStreet Capital, we offer risk free legal loans for plaintiffs while they wait for their case to go to trial.
To learn more, contact LawStreet Capital at 888.562.0363. There is no cost to apply!
Resources:
- Consumerist, Jury Awards $72 Million in Johnson & Johnson Talcum Powder Cancer Lawsuit, https://consumerist.com/2016/02/24/jury-awards-72-million-in-johnson-johnson-talcum-powder-cancer-lawsuit/
- Bloomberg, Johnson & Johnson Has a Baby Powder Problem, http://www.bloomberg.com/features/2016-baby-powder-cancer-lawsuits/
- FOX 6 Now, Johnson & Johnson Just Lost Another Talcum Powder Cancer Lawsuit, http://fox6now.com/2016/05/03/johnson-johnson-just-lost-another-talcum-powder-cancer-lawsuit/
- Bloomberg, J&J Faces 1,000 More Talc-Cancer Suits after Verdict is Lost, http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-05-02/j-j-ordered-to-pay-55-million-over-cancer-linked-to-talc
