Several studies revealed that Johnson & Johnson baby powder, one of the most trusted on the market, could expose women to an increased risk of ovarian cancer if they use the powder for feminine hygiene purposes.
Also, recent research found asbestos contamination in talcum powder.
According to the study, all Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder and their talc-containing products had traces of asbestos.
Several studies revealed that Johnson & Johnson baby powder, one of the most trusted on the market, could expose women to an increased risk of ovarian cancer if they use the powder for feminine hygiene purposes.
Also, recent research found asbestos contamination in talcum powder.
According to the study, all Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder and their talc-containing products had traces of asbestos.
More alarmingly, the study showed J&J products have been asbestos-tainted for decades. The manufacturers knew about it but covered the contamination to protect their product’s image and revenue.
However, J&J isn’t the only organization indicted for manufacturing asbestos-contaminated talcum powder products.
Talcum powder producers, retailers, and distributors are mentioned in the recent talcum powder lawsuits. Companies like Target, Walmart, CVS, and Walgreens are listed in various individual talcum powder lawsuits.
Talc products that ovarian lawsuits mentioned include:
People diagnosed with ovarian cancer or other cancers like mesothelioma, asbestosis and lung cancer suspect a tainted talcum powder product are eligible to receive compensation befitting their losses.
However, they need to contact an experienced talcum powder cancer attorney who’ll guide them in exploring their possible compensation options.
This detailed article examines talcum powder lawsuits. We’ll also take a peek at what makes you eligible to file a claim and collect settlement from the at-fault entities.
Ready to know more? Let’s take the plunge!
Talc, a mineral constituting silicon, oxygen, and magnesium, is used in manufacturing talcum powder. In its powder form, talc absorbs moisture and reduces friction, aiding rash prevention and maintaining dry skin.
Due to these attributes, manufacturers integrate talc in cosmetics and other consumer products.
However, despite the benefits of talcum powder, it has been linked to several possible side effects. Recent studies show women face an increased risk of ovarian cancer from applying talcum powder to their genital areas for feminine hygiene.
Plaintiffs in the talcum powder lawsuits claim the firms producing asbestos-tainted talcum powder knew about the contamination for over forty years.
They were also aware the product exposed consumers to negative health problems like ovarian cancer and mesothelioma.
However, these organizations failed to inform women about the risks of being exposed to asbestos-tainted talcum powder products.
Cancer risks from usage increase if the powder enters the lungs or the vagina after use for personal hygiene, and on the genital area, condoms, or sanitary napkins.
The three primary talcum products used for personal hygiene are:
Women are 33% more likely to develop cancer if they engage talcum powder frequently to promote personal hygiene. Plaintiffs filing talcum powder lawsuits against Johnson & Johnson allege:
The most severe possible side effect of women using talcum powder is ovarian cancer – if the powder enters the ovaries via the vagina – and mesothelioma – if the talcum powder enters the lungs.
Research on women’s health issues showed women have an increased cancer risk by 30-60% from using talcum frequently. The more regularly they use it, the higher the likelihood they’ll have cancer.
Another report from a Harvard University researcher asserts thousands of women get ovarian cancer from using talcum powder annually.
While the details about how talcum powder causes cancer are still unknown, there are certain suggestions that talcum powder causes chronic inflammation of the genital region when talc particles go through the uterus to reach the fallopian tubes and ovaries.
Also, talcum powder may suppress antibodies crucial in protecting the body against cancer, raising its risks. The consensus of reports made by various researchers is that regular perineal use of talc-containing products increases a woman’s ovarian cancer risk by nearly 30%.
Talcum powder’s female use has also been connected with respiratory issues like mesothelioma. This health problem may occur after the powder becomes airborne during application. For over forty years, several talcum products contained asbestos — a natural mineral and carcinogen.
Asbestos and talc share some semblance chemically. They’re both silicate minerals and have a crystalline structure. If they enter the human body, these minerals could irritate and cause chronic inflammation that could become cancerous tumours.
Women who file a product liability suit against Johnson & Johnson may collect financial compensation for the following damages:
The following are prominent manufacturers, suppliers and brands of talc products mentioned in talc powder lawsuits:
Manufacturer | Products or Brands |
Johnson & Johnson | Johnson’s Baby Powder and Shower to Shower |
Colgate-Palmolive | Cashmere Bouquet |
Imerys Talc North America | Raw and industrial and cosmetic talc |
Whittaker, Clark & Daniels | Raw cosmetic talc |
Vanderbilt Minerals | Raw industrial talc |
NOTE: Although “Shower to Shower” is now a property of Valeant Pharmaceuticals, note that this talc product is the brainchild of Johnson & Johnson, hence its categorization.
People who used an industrial or cosmetic talc powder product and got a doctor’s diagnosis of ovarian cancer or mesothelioma may qualify to file a talcum powder lawsuit.
If the acquired illness is ovarian cancer, the plaintiff must have used talc-containing products around their genitals regularly before contracting ovarian cancer.
Also, people who used talc-containing products and contracted mesothelioma may qualify to file a lawsuit. These products can also be industrial, including baby powder, clay, chalk, paper, crayons, pottery, joint compounds, adhesives, or cosmetics.
However, if someone applied baby powders made from cornstarch, they aren’t eligible to file a talcum powder lawsuit.
Why?
Talc isn’t present in cornstarch-based powders.
Only an attorney can properly evaluate your potential claims. Therefore, if you contracted ovarian cancer or mesothelioma after applying talc-containing products, consult an attorney immediately to protect your legal rights and receive compensation.
Financial settlements have been reached in the talcum powder lawsuit. Here are some notable mentions:
Johnson & Johnson signed an agreement to pay $100 million to resolve over 1,000 lawsuits. Plaintiffs claimed Johnson & Johnson’s talcum powder had asbestos — a chemical that causes cancer.
When talking to Bloomberg about the settlement, a company representative said the company sometimes opted to settle claims ‘without an admission of liability.’
The spokeswoman maintained that paying payments doesn’t affect the company’s stance on their products’ safety.
A California jury awarded $30 million to a lady named Teresa Leavitt.
Leavitt was diagnosed with mesothelioma and the jury discovered it was due to regular Johnson & Johnson’s talcum powder application.
A St. Louis jury awarded $4.6 billion against Johnson & Johnson for making 22 women develop ovarian cancer. The ovarian cancers were linked to their regular use of Johnson & Johnson’s defective baby powder products.
Joanne Anderson received a $25 million compensation after a jury found she’d contracted mesothelioma from using J&J’s talcum powder on herself and her children.
Stephen Lanzo received $37 million in compensatory damages, and $80 million in punitive damages, against Johnson & Johnson.
Lanzo said he contracted mesothelioma from extensive use of asbestos-containing talcum powder products by J&J.
A jury awarded $417 million to Eva Echeverria. Eva was dying from stage 4 ovarian cancer she developed after using baby powder daily from the 1950s till 2016.
The jury’s verdict included $68 million in compensatory damages and $340 million in punitive damages.
Louis Slemp received $110 million in damages from a St. Louis jury after she contracted aggressive ovarian cancer metastasizing to her liver.
Slemp had used baby powder for over 40 years.
A California jury issued a $70 million compensation to Deborah Giannecchini.
Giannecchini received chemotherapy and radiation for ovarian cancer, using tainted talc powder for over four decades.
The jury awarded her $65 million for punitive damages.
Gloria Ristesund receives $55 million in compensation. She had been treated for ovarian cancer after using J&J’s Baby Powder for decades.
Jury finds Johnson & Johnson culpable for the death of Jacqueline Fox. Fox used talcum powder for personal hygiene for more than 35 years. The jury awarded $72 million, including $62 million in punitive damages.
Judge Freda Wolfson hears over 36,000 lawsuits in the District of New Jersey. Individuals with cases pending in the federal court against the manufacturers of talcum powder claim they suffered cancer because they used this product.
Freda Wolfson, a US District Judge, ruled that plaintiffs’ expert opinions about talcum powder and cancer are substantially supported by science.
A month later, Johnson & Johnson announced it would stop selling talcum powder across the US. According to expert opinion, the recent developments could improve the chances of more compensation discussions.
NOTE: A bellwether trial may occur for the remaining federal cases. These trials set the stage to determine the potential settlement amount a patient may receive. The results of bellwether litigations inform settlement discussions in the talcum powder lawsuits.
A statute of limitation tells the time limit within which a potential plaintiff may file a case. Being product liability cases, talcum powder lawsuits have different statutes of limitations in each state.
The statutes range between two and ten years. In most states, the statute of limitation is pegged at two years.
Depending on the case, the time starts counting from the time of cancer diagnosis or the day the potential plaintiff discovered talcum powder contributed to their cancer.
Family members can also file “wrongful death” claims over the death of relatives who suffered ovarian cancer or mesothelioma. However, the statute of limitations for such cases is often shorter, about two years.
An attorney can evaluate the correct timeline for each state.
After your ovarian cancer diagnosis, contact a talcum powder attorney immediately. That way, you don’t lose your right to file a lawsuit and collect compensation.
There’s no exact settlement timeline for talcum powder cases as each case is unique. Talcum powder lawsuits are complex as medical records and scientific research are needed to link a person’s use of talcum powder to cancer.
For instance, it took years before Johnson & Johnson made their 2020 settlement. A few other federal cases may have to go to trial before J&J gets the injunction to settle more cases.
Nonetheless, note that no personal injury claims have a settlement guarantee.
Talcum powder is used for positive health reasons, like preventing skin rash and maintaining dry skin.
Sadly, people could contract ovarian or lung cancer from applying talcum powder, whether or not it was contaminated with asbestos.
While scientists can’t tell how talcum powder causes ovarian cancer or mesothelioma in women, they agree on a link between its regular use and adverse health conditions.
Some researchers also assert talcum powder, whether or not it was contaminated with asbestos, could cause cancer over time.
People who use Johnson & Johnson’s talcum powder or similar talc-containing products from other entities may contract ovarian or lung cancer. These individuals are eligible to file a talcum powder lawsuit or be part of a class-action suit.
However, to receive settlement amounts that suit your damages, contact an expert attorney. A lawyer will take a peek at existing talcum powder lawsuit information to create a lawsuit that can yield fair compensation.
Individuals affected by this particular product or chemical are currently filing lawsuits.
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