A jury in the US state of Missouri has ordered Johnson & Johnson to pay $72m to the family of a woman who claimed her death was linked to use of the company’s Baby Powder talc, the BBC reports.

Jackie Fox from Birmingham, Alabama died of ovarian cancer last year, aged 62, having used the talc for decades.

Her family’s lawyers argued that the firm knew of cancer risks from the product and failed to warn consumers.

Johnson & Johnson denied the claim and is said to be considering an appeal.

The verdict at the end of the three-week trial was the first time damages have been awarded by a US jury over talc claims.

More than 1,000 similar cases are pending nationwide and lawyers said thousands more could now be filed.

The jury in Ms Fox’s case deliberated for five hours before finding Johnson & Johnson liable for fraud, negligence and conspiracy.

The award constituted $10m in damages and $62m in punitive damages.