Johnson & Johnson Talcum Powder Lawsuit Attorney

Dubo Law is currently undertaking evaluations of cases on behalf of women who developed ovarian cancer or mesothelioma subsequent to using talc powder or other talc products.

Talcum Powder Litigation

Since 1971, more than 20 studies have established a link between talcum (talc) powder and ovarian cancer. In 2003, 16 out of 20 studies found that women who used talcum powder were 33% more prone to ovarian cancer than those who didn’t. Moreover, it has been credibly alleged that Johnson & Johnson, which manufactured and distributed the popular talc-based products, was aware of the risk of ovarian cancer since at least 1982 but failed to warn anyone of those risks.

In fact, The New York Times reported that Johnson & Johnson was aware of the potential links between asbestos and their talc-based products. The article says that the company spent decades trying to hide this negative information from the public.

Is There a Link Between Talcum Powder and Cancer?

For many years now, researchers have been studying the connection between talcum powder and ovarian cancer. It is believed that talc powder may affect the ovaries or become embedded in ovarian tissue when used on or near genitals or the genital area. Although talc is a natural mineral, the body has difficulties removing these particles, which leads to inflammation and the potential onset of cancerous tumors.

Numerous studies over the decades have discovered that women using talcum powder during ovulation were at a hugely increased risk of developing ovarian cancer. In fact, since 1982, 21 studies have been conducted on talc powder, and almost all of them found that women who used talc powder near their genitals were at severe risk of developing ovarian cancer.

The National Cancer Institute, as well as the American Cancer Society, believe that using talc near the genitals represents a “risk factor” for the onset of ovarian cancer. Despite this potential danger, talc powder manufacturers, including Johnson & Johnson, have placed no warnings about this risk on their products.

What is talc?

Talc is a soft, naturally occurring mineral comprised of silicon, oxygen and magnesium. After it is mined and processed, the resulting fine talc powder is used in a variety of cosmetic products, including many manufactured, marketed and distributed by Johnson & Johnson.

How and What is it Used for?

Talc is used in many products, including talcum powder (baby powder), feminine hygiene products, makeup, lotions, and deodorant. And because talcum powder is best known for its odor-and-moisture-absorbing properties, some women use it in and around the genital area. The genitals can also be exposed to this mineral while using a condom, diaphragm, or menstrual pad.

Is Talc Harmful and Why?

In nature, talc deposits are usually found near the accumulations of dangerous, carcinogenic material – asbestos. Asbestos has been associated with different forms of cancer, including ovarian cancer and mesothelioma, a lung disease. Even trace amounts of asbestos carry the potential impact to cause cancer, and diagnoses are often made many years – in some cases decades – after a talc-containing product was used.

Beginning in the 1970s, the federal government required that talc-based products be asbestos-free. However, the number of scientific studies conducted since that time have determined that it has been very difficult for companies like Johnson & Johnson to comply.

In fact, there is evidence supporting the contention that companies continued to sell talc products that tested positive for asbestos for many years after the federal regulations mentioned above went into effect. According to a recent Reuters report, Johnson & Johnson’s baby powder contained a certain amount of asbestos from 1971 to the early 2000s. As a result, the company’s been exposing consumers to serious health risks for almost 3 decades.

According to the International Journal of Gynecological Cancer, women using talcum powder on or near their genital area have a 30-60% increased risk of developing cancer, which is astounding. Researchers claim that the talc leads to illnesses by causing chronic inflammation o the fallopian tubes, ovaries, and uterus, potentially killing cancer-fighting antibodies.

Additionally, talcum powder has been linked to mesothelioma, a rare yet severe form of lung cancer. It occurs when the small airborne particles enter the lungs, causing irritation and chronic inflammation. As a result, cancerous tumors are formed.

Ongoing Talc Litigation?

A huge number of people who have been diagnosed with ovarian cancer and mesothelioma have initiated legal action, including the filing of lawsuits against manufacturers that use talc in their products. Many lawsuits have been centered on Johnson & Johnson, whose consumers developed cancer resulting from using the company’s talc-based products over a lengthy period of time.

One significant element of all these legal actions involves the claim that Johnson & Johnson – and other similarly situated manufacturers – knew for more than four decades that their talc products contained asbestos. Yet, even knowing that they not only concealed and hid that information from the general public but continued to manufacture and distribute those products, while at the same time failing to place any warning labels on the products or issue recalls for safety reasons.

How many lawsuits have been filed?

Starting from March 2019, over 13,000 lawsuits have been filed against Johnson & Johnson. Many other legal actions are also pending against other talc product manufacturers.

Has anybody succeeded in Talc litigation?

There have been several successful settlements and verdicts against Colgate-Palmolive, Johnson & Johnson, and other companies linked to cases involving severe health conditions like ovarian cancer and mesothelioma.

To date, the most sizable verdict against Johnson & Johnson was in July 2018. After finding out that their condition was caused by the company’s baby powder, 22 ovarian case victims were awarded $4.6 billion by a St. Louis jury. In May 2018, Joanne Anderson was awarded $25 million by a jury that determined that the use of talcum powder led to her mesothelioma. In June 2019, J&J and Colgate-Palmolive were obliged to pay $10 million to Patricia Schmitz, who developed terminal mesothelioma upon using their talc products.

These are just a few examples of verdicts and judgments against companies like Johnson & Johnson – there are many others. And as more cases are discovered, the number of lawsuits and the total amount of judgments entered against these companies – already in the billions of dollars – will rise even higher.

However, despite many losing verdicts and settlements, Johnson & Johnson and other like companies continue to proclaim innocence and argue that their products are safe and do not contain asbestos or cause cancer.

Can I file a Talc lawsuit?

If you have developed mesothelioma or ovarian cancer upon using products that contain talc, you might be eligible to file a lawsuit, especially if you have a consistent history of using those products over an extensive period of time.

The more frequently you may have utilized the product, the more likely it is that such items have caused your cancer. Since statutes of limitation for filing a lawsuit may vary from state to state, it’s recommended to consult a lawyer right after you’ve received your diagnosis.

What damages can I get in a Talc lawsuit?

The compensation you get upon a lawsuit depends on the type of lawsuit you file. For instance, in a class-action lawsuit filed against J&J, consumers are suing the company for damages associated with the cost of the product. Still, it’s critical to understand that class-action lawsuits won’t cover individual health-related expenses.

On the other hand, if you file an individual lawsuit, separate and apart from any class action, you might be able to receive compensation for your medical expenses, lost income and emotional distress.

Obviously, each case is different in terms of how you might be able to calculate the overall value of the case, and it makes it that much more imperative that you contact a skilled and experienced attorney immediately.

What can an attorney do for me?

A top-rated attorney will make sure that your case is handled in such a way that you will maximize your chances of receiving full and fair compensation for your injuries. Not only are they aware of any applicable deadlines, but they understand the legal strategy for handling what are very complex and time-consuming cases and, importantly, will know exactly what expert witnesses need to be included to establish the causal link between the product and the injury.