Several corporations and other defendants have been taken to court by a New Orleans woman who claims to have developed ovarian cancer after using defendants’ products.
Paula Jackson filed suit in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana New Orleans Division on March 16, naming Johnson & Johnson, Johnson & Johnson Consumer Companies Inc., Luzenac America Inc., Rio Tinto Minerals Inc., John Does/Jane Does 1-30, and other businesses and/or corporations, whose identities and involvement are as of yet unknown, as defendants. The Doe defendants are representatives of the corporations whose conduct allegedly caused or contributed to the damages of the plaintiff.
The issues of this case primarily revolve around products containing talc, which defendants Johnson manufactured and defendants Luzenac and Rio have continually marketed as safe for human use. From about 1974 to 2015, Jackson applied defendants’ products to her groin for feminine hygiene purposes, which is a foreseeable use of such products based on their advertising according to the suit. On September 27, 2015, Jackson was diagnosed with ovarian cancer at the age of 62. Prior to this diagnosis, she allegedly did not have any of the risk factors normally associated with such a disease.
The complaint states that, from as early as 1961, research had shown that talc use in consumer products could be dangerous. Allegedly, defendants had knowledge that women were three times more likely to develop ovarian cancer after daily use of talcum powder. Despite this purported knowledge, defendants continued to sell and market talc products.
As a result of defendants’ injurious acts or negligence, Jackson suffered damages, such as the aforementioned ovarian cancer, which will require multiple treatments and surgeries. Jackson cites the defendants for strict products liability, negligence, breach of warranties, and other counts. Her complaint requests that the resultant damages be considered separately and individually under each count for the purpose of determining the amount of money that will fairly compensate her. Among the damages listed are medical expenses, pain and suffering, mental anguish, lost wages and income, physical impairment and disfigurement, loss of enjoyment of life, exemplary and punitive damages, attorney fees, interest, and other relief deemed appropriate.
The attorneys at Broussard, David & Moroux have the knowledge and experience necessary to handle cases of this nature and will fight to obtain fair compensation for your injuries. If you or a loved one has suffered harm as a result of the negligence of another, contact the attorneys at Broussard, David & Moroux to discuss your legal rights at (337) 233-2323 (local) or (888) 337-2323 (toll-free).