$72 Million Verdict in St. Louis Involving Ovarian Cancer and Talc

A few years ago, “toxic tort” trials in St. Louis were not so common. Today, there are ample numbers of asbestos cases, with cases going to trial with relative frequency. Now, a St. Louis jury has returned a $72 million verdict against Johnson & Johnson, composed of $10 million of compensatory damages and $62 million of punitive damages. Plaintiff, a woman, had developed ovarian cancer. She alleged Johnson & Johnson failed to ward regarding an alleged markedly increased risk of developing ovarian cancer.

Multiple takeaways are possible, but a couple of points are inarguable. Venues can and do change over time, and trial dates are key to getting to outcomes.