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Johnson & Johnson Talcum Powder Lawsuit
A substance you may have used on yourself or on a child has hidden dangers you may not be aware of. Talcum powder, commonly known as baby powder, may cause a possible increase in ovarian cancer risk, according to the American Cancer Society.
Johnson & Johnson, a manufacturer of products using talcum powder, has been sued by more than 1,200 plaintiffs for negligence and failure to warn consumers of potential risks.
If you or a loved one have been affected by a Johnson & Johnson product, you may be entitled to compensation. Contact us at (205) 322-8880 for a no-cost consultation to determine your legal rights and options.
Johnson & Johnson Agrees to Pay $100 Million In Baby Powder Settlement
In October 2020, Johnson & Johnson agreed to pay more than $100 million to settle over 1,000 lawsuits that claim their talcum powder products cause cancer. The lawsuits claimed that the manufacturer failed to disclose the cancer risks for decades.
Key facts from the recent settlement:
This is the first time the company has settled the bulk of plaintiff’s cases in talcum powder contamination suits, as opposed to settling individual lawsuits right before trial.
In October 2019, the company recalled 33,000 bottles of its baby powder products out of “an abundance of caution” after trace amounts of asbestos were discovered.
In May 2019, Johnson & Johnson stopped selling talc-based baby powder in North America, citing a constant barrage of litigation.
Johnson & Johnson will still have around 20,000 talc-related lawsuits after the settlement.
If you or a loved one has used talcum powder and experienced ovarian cancer, the talc found in the product may be to blame. Lawsuits are still being filed, and you may be entitled to compensation for your pain, suffering, and financial costs.
Additional Johnson & Johnson Litigation Background
In August 2017, a plaintiff who had used Johnson & Johnson’s baby powder on her perineum for decades was awarded $417 million in a lawsuit against the company.
This isn’t the first significant pay-off in a lawsuit against this brand. In May 2017, a woman was awarded $110 million in a similar lawsuit, and in 2016, Johnson & Johnson was found guilty in a lawsuit alleging the brand’s talcum powder products contributed to the development of ovarian cancer and subsequent death of a woman who had used the product in the genitals area. The company was ordered to pay $72 million in damages to the family of the deceased woman.
In the 1990s, the company had acknowledged concerns about its products in the health community, but failed to alert customers while continuing to market the product. The first lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson regarding talcum powder was in 2007, and a jury found the company negligent in 2013. If you or a loved one has used talcum powder and experienced ovarian cancer, the talc found in the product may be to blame. You may be entitled to compensation for your pain, suffering and financial costs.
What You Should Know About Talcum Powder
Talc is a substance that is a naturally occurring clay mineral that is used in many cosmetic products and is mined in proximity to the known carcinogen asbestos. Talc has been associated with ovarian cancer since the 1970s, when a 1971 study titled Talc and Carcinoma of the Ovary and Cervix was published. The study found that talc particles were deeply embedded in ovarian and cervical tumors. Johnson & Johnson had already been selling talcum powder since the early 1900s.
Another study, published in 1982 titled Ovarian Cancer and Talc: A Case-Control Study, found a link between talc and ovarian cancer, again found links between talc and ovarian cancer. Despite the researcher meeting with a Johnson & Johnson executive and expressing his concerns, the company kept selling talcum powder products.
More than 20 studies have since been completed, showing that the risk of ovarian cancer increases by 33 percent when talc products are used long-term on the genital region. Despite thousands of adverse event reports and petitions to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to require a warning be added to labels of products containing talc, no such warning has been required.
While other studies have shown mixed results, people who are suing Johnson & Johnson claim the company should have warned consumers of the potential risks anyway.
What to Do If You’ve Used Baby Powder from Johnson & Johnson
If you are a woman who has used JOHNSON’S baby powder on the genital area, your risk of ovarian cancer may be increased. Knowing the risks, you may choose not to use this product on yourself or on a loved one. If you have used the product, you should keep any proof you have that you have used it, in case something unfortunate like ovarian cancer develops.
If you or a loved one develops ovarian cancer, it is essential to have your doctor check for the presence of talc in the tumor. The cancer may be linked to the use of baby powder from Johnson & Johnson. You may be able to file a lawsuit against the company to receive compensation for damages that have been caused.
The team at Pittman, Dutton, Hellums, Bradley & Mann, P.C. can help. We have extensive experience carrying out product liability litigation in Birmingham, and we can assist you in pursuing action against Johnson & Johnson for neglecting to warn consumers about the risks associated with talcum powder and ovarian cancer. Because so many women have had problems with Johnson & Johnson’s baby powder, you may have a compelling case against the company in the unfortunate outcome that you develop ovarian cancer after using the products.
Contact us right away for a free consultation. Call us at (205) 322-8880 or visit online for a free consultation on talcum powder dangers. We’ll work to get you the compensation and peace of mind you deserve.
