Talcum Powder Lawsuit
Johnson & Johnson, the company behind the iconic talc-based Baby Powder that was once a staple in American households, faces tens of thousands of legal claims alleging that its signature talcum powder products cause cancer. Flooded with lawsuits that have already cost the company billions of dollars in legal fees, settlements and verdicts, Johnson & Johnson finally discontinued sales of its talc-based powder products in the United States and Canada in 2020. Unfortunately, the decision to withdraw its signature talcum powder, which J&J attributed to growing disinterest in the product and exaggerated reports of asbestos contamination, comes far too late for the thousands of women and others who have suffered adverse health consequences allegedly caused by regular use of the talc powder. If you or a loved one was diagnosed with ovarian cancer, mesothelioma, or another type of cancer after using Johnson & Johnson’s talcum powder, contact Robert Brown Law as soon as possible to find out how we can help.
Talc Powders Linked to Ovarian Cancer, Mesothelioma
Talc is a natural mineral used in a number of consumer products, including talcum powder. As a powder, talc is known for its ability to absorb moisture, mask odors and prevent rashes, and for years, Johnson & Johnson marketed its talc-based Baby Powder specifically to women and families. Evidence of a connection between talcum powder and cancer, then, comes as a huge surprise to those who have routinely used Johnson’s Baby Powder believing the product was safe and unlikely to cause them harm. Women in particular have for decades been bombarded with advertisements encouraging them to use talcum powder as part of their feminine hygiene routine, a practice we now know may lead to an increased cancer risk. In fact, much of the massive talcum powder litigation in the U.S. centers on claims that perineal use of talc-based powder may increase a woman’s risk of ovarian cancer by as much as 30%. There is also evidence to suggest that exposure to Johnson & Johnson talcum powder products may be linked to a greater risk of mesothelioma and other cancers, believe to be due to contamination with asbestos, a naturally occurring mineral and a known carcinogen.
Lawsuits Allege Cancer from Exposure to Talc-Based Products
There are growing concerns that exposure to talc itself may not be safe. However, the reported link between talcum powder and cancer primarily stems from the fact that talc deposits in the earth can easily be contaminated with asbestos. That means the carcinogen may be present in the finished products some consumers have used and may continue to use on a daily basis. Despite claims by Johnson & Johnson that its talcum powder is safe and does not contain asbestos, a damning Reuters article published in 2018 reported that the company has known for decades that its talc-based products were sometimes contaminated with asbestos and did nothing to address the serious public health concern. Consequently, a growing number of former talcum powder users are now suing Johnson & Johnson, alleging that they developed cancer after using the company’s talcum powder products.
So far, the ongoing talcum powder litigation has resulted in some big wins for plaintiffs. In the summer of 2018, a jury in St. Louis sided with 22 women who collectively alleged that Johnson & Johnson’s talcum powder contained asbestos and caused them to develop ovarian cancer. The women were awarded more than $2 billion in damages. In 2020, Johnson & Johnson agreed to pay $100 million to resolve more than 1,000 lawsuits by plaintiffs who alleged that asbestos in the company’s talcum powder causes cancer. And the lawsuits continue to flow. Nearly 40,000 talcum powder cases brought in federal courts across the country have been centralized in New Jersey for pretrial proceedings as part of a massive multidistrict litigation (MDL), and each of these lawsuits will be treated as an individual claim against Johnson & Johnson with its own verdict or settlement.
Studies Linking Talcum Powder to Cancer
Talcum powder has been around for more than a century. Johnson & Johnson first introduced its signature Baby Powder in 1894, and while the potential link between talcum powder and cancer has grabbed the public’s attention recently, research on the subject dates back decades. One of the first studies to establish a link between perineal talc use and cancer came in 1971, when a group of scientists in Wales reported discovering talc particles deeply embedded within the tumor tissue of women diagnosed with cervical and ovarian cancer. Another study published in 1982 concluded that about 43% of 215 women with ovarian cancer routinely sprinkled talcum powder on their genital area, sanitary napkins, or underwear. And the scrutiny didn’t end there. According to a 2018 talcum powder report prepared by the Canadian government, as many as 15 epidemiological studies published between 1989 and 2016 reported a positive correlation between the use of talc for feminine hygiene purposes and ovarian cancer, and six studies showed a “possible” correlation. In 2020, an FDA panel made up of experts from eight different federal agencies issued a recommendation for the standardized testing of talc products to detect asbestos and other potentially harmful minerals. At that time, the panel agreed with the World Health Organization’s assessment that there is no known safe level of exposure to asbestos.
Talcum Powder Cancer Attorneys for Legal Help
The controversy surrounding asbestos contamination and the perceived safety of talcum powder products marketed primarily to women has shed a harsh light on the harmful misconceptions about feminine hygiene that have been perpetuated by companies like Johnson & Johnson. These unwarranted fears and insecurities, plus years of targeted talc powder advertising, convinced millions of women across the country to use unnecessary and potentially toxic products on their bodies. Now, Johnson & Johnson faces tens of thousands of lawsuits filed by women and others who accuse the company of selling them allegedly carcinogenic talc. If you believe you or someone you love has been harmed by exposure to asbestos in talcum powder, do not hesitate to discuss your legal options with a talcum powder cancer attorney. Evidence linking talcum powder use to ovarian cancer and other cancers continues to grow, and our attorneys at Robert Brown Law can help you determine whether you may qualify for compensation from Johnson & Johnson.