Onder said it's clear from the internal memos that the company spent 30 years preparing for litigation over the risk. He said one company internal document talks about declining product use because of increased awareness of the health risk, and how to grow the franchise by targeting blacks and Hispanics as the highest users of talcum powder. Fox was black.

Beasley said his Alabama firm heard from more than 6,000 potential clients. The case ended up in St. Louis after he and a Mississippi lawyer joined with Onder here to represent several clients. Fox’s case was the first to go to trial. Others will be in state court in April and in federal court in July.

Onder said overall there are about 1,000 plaintiffs in St. Louis and 200 in New Jersey state court.

The suit filed for Fox in St. Louis involves 58 plaintiffs, including some who live in St. Louis but many who live elsewhere. Onder said his is one of three law firms in the country who are actively pursuing these complaints. He said a unique law in Missouri allows a single lawsuit to be filed with up to 99 plaintiffs. Onder's firm was co-lead counsel in the Yaz birth control litigation.