If you used talcum powder and developed ovarian cancer, you may be able to pursue compensation from the manufacturer. Having an experienced talcum powder attorney on your side could ultimately prove to be the difference between getting justice or missing out on compensation altogether.
At Mass Tort Alliance, we know that receiving a cancer diagnosis from a product you thought you could trust is devastating. You might also be struggling to afford your expensive medical bills, and you might have missed out on income while taking time away from work for your treatment. We can review your case and determine your options for seeking legal action.
You have the right to hold companies accountable for their negligent actions. Talc, a mineral found in baby powder, could have been contaminated with asbestos, resulting in serious medical problems for anyone who uses the product over an extended period. Johnson & Johnson knew about the risks associated with the talc-based powders they sold but didn’t do anything to warn consumers. As a result, women around the country are battling ovarian cancer, mesothelioma, and other diseases.
If you want to find out if you’re eligible for a lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson, contact Mass Tort Alliance immediately. We’ll be ready to discuss your situation and your legal options when you reach out to us.
Talc is a naturally occurring mineral found in many areas around the world. It’s a popular substance used in many products. Talc in powder form can absorb moisture to keep a person’s skin dry and prevent the formation of rashes.
Baby powder is a common product containing powdered talc. Talc is often used in hygiene and skincare products because of its ability to keep the user’s skin dry and smooth. It can also relieve rashes and keep a woman’s genital area fresh.
Unfortunately, talc can become contaminated with asbestos, a known carcinogen. Researchers discovered trace amounts of the cancer-causing substance in many talcum powders and other products. They believe that long-term exposure can eventually lead to cancer from inhaling particles in the air or applying contaminated talc to the genital area.
Talcum powder is considered a cosmetic product, meaning the U.S. Food and Drug Administration isn’t required to regulate it. Due to the lack of quality and safety standards, Johnson & Johnson made and sold their product without much oversight. There wasn’t a strict requirement for providing warning labels to inform consumers about the potential risks. They also didn’t have to get approval from anyone about the ingredients they used in their products. As a result, they continued to use talc for their baby powder, despite the dangers of asbestos exposure.
Researchers discovered an increased risk of ovarian cancer in women using talc-based products over a significant period. In 1971, people studying the possible link between talcum powder and cancer found a 30% greater risk of developing ovarian cancer. Although more studies are necessary, they believe contaminated particles enter a woman’s body through the vagina, causing inflammation to the ovaries, uterus, and fallopian tubes. This chronic inflammation eventually leads to cancer.
Johnson & Johnson’s baby powder has also been studied for its association with respiratory problems, such as mesothelioma. Talc can become airborne while a person applies it to their body. Inhaling asbestos-containing particles regularly over long periods can irritate the lungs and eventually cause mesothelioma to form. Other medical conditions involving the lungs could also develop.
The results of more studies also show an increased risk of developing other types of cancer, such as:
Fallopian tube cancer
Uterine cancer
Vaginal/vulvar cancer
Cervical cancer
Endometrial cancer
If you used talcum powder consistently for a long time and your doctor diagnosed you with cancer, you should contact Mass Tort Alliance to determine if you’re entitled to compensation. We can help you find the right lawyer that will handle your lawsuit and get you on the road to recovery.
Below is an outline of the events leading up to the decision to recall talcum powder.
In October 2019, Johnson & Johnson recalled 33,000 bottles of baby powder after the FDA discovered asbestos in one of them. The company released a statement on May 19, 2020, informing the public that they were pulling all of their talc-based products from the shelves in the United States and Canada.
Tremolite, a classification of asbestos, discovered in Johnson & Johnson talc after an investigation by Reuters.
BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology publishes the results of a study of cervical and ovarian tumors with deeply embedded talc particles.
Johnson & Johnson released an internal memo acknowledging the link between ovarian cancer and the use of talc on the genitals.
Johnson & Johnson notified the FDA that they didn’t find any asbestos during tests between December 1972 and October 1973. However, at least three talc tests of which they were aware between 1972 and 1975 showed the presence of asbestos.
The results of a case-control study found that women using talcum powder on sanitary napkins or the genital area have a greater risk of developing ovarian cancer than those who didn’t.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer determined talc could possibly be carcinogenic to humans. Imerys, a Johnson & Johnson baby powder supplier, started printing warning labels about the risk of ovarian cancer for their product.
Long-term use of talcum powder increases a person’s risk of ovarian cancer by 30%, according to a study by Dr. Daniel W. Cramer and his colleagues. They also determined that women using these products for longer were had the highest risk.
Women claiming talc-based products caused ovarian cancer won jury verdicts of $70 million, $72 million, $110 million, $417 million, and $55 million. However, Johnson & Johnson appealed these verdicts, and some awards were overturned.
The FDA starts to test other talc products, such as cosmetics, for asbestos contamination.
In a lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson, a man claimed he used Shower To Shower and Baby Powder containing asbestos and developed mesothelioma. A jury awarded him $117 million.
Twenty-two women were awarded $4.17 billion for developing ovarian cancer after using talc products contaminated with asbestos.
Talc supplier Imerys received 14,650 lawsuits and had to file for bankruptcy.
A criminal investigation opened by the U.S. Justice Department started to determine whether Johnson & Johnson lied about the link between talc-based products and the risk of cancer.
Johnson & Johnson recalled 33,000 bottles of Baby Powder after the FDA found asbestos in one of the samples.
Johnson & Johnson stopped the sale of their baby powder products throughout the United States and Canada.
Some of the most notable jury awards so far include
After using baby powder for decades, a woman diagnosed with ovarian cancer died, and her family was awarded $72 million.
A woman who used talcum powder for 40 years and developed terminal ovarian cancer was awarded $70 million.
A woman diagnosed with ovarian cancer resulting in multiple surgeries, including a hysterectomy, was awarded $55 million.
A man and his wife were awarded $117 million after claiming Shower To Shower and Baby Powder caused his mesothelioma.
A group of twenty-two different women used baby powder for many years and ended up with ovarian cancer. A jury in Missouri awarded them with over $4 billion.
Four plaintiffs were awarded $37.2 million after developing mesothelioma from inhaling the asbestos-containing baby powder.
Mass Tort Alliance has been connecting injured clients with experienced and dedicated attorneys for years. We know the importance of dependable services while you’re recovering from harm caused by someone else’s negligence. Our team will work hard to put you on the path to recovery.
We use cutting-edge technology to connect you with a legal team you can trust to get the job done.
Our representatives are available around the clock to answer your questions and provide the guidance and support you need.
We know what you’re looking for and how to determine which lawyer will best meet your interests.
Leave the hard work to us. We have the resources to put you in touch with a reputable and experienced attorney that can help you seek the compensation you deserve
If you used a talc-based product and developed cancer, do not hesitate to contact Mass Tort Alliance. The manufacturer put you in this situation, and they should suffer the consequences of their actions. Find out if you qualify for a talcum powder lawsuit by calling us today.