- What is Talcum Powder?
- Talcum Powder’s Link to Ovarian Cancer
- Talcum Powder and Mesothelioma
- What to Know About Talcum Powder Lawsuits Against Johnson & Johnson
- Who is Eligible to File a Talcum Powder Lawsuit?
- Filing a Talcum Powder Lawsuit
- Hiring Experienced Talcum Powder Lawyers
Women have used talcum powder for decades on themselves and their babies. However, the first records of asbestos-related illness appeared in a British medical journal in 1924.
Johnson & Johnson saw evidence of asbestos in talcum powder as early as 1956. The company tested its products repeatedly and found asbestos in them.
The considerable time lapse occurred because mesothelioma takes a long time to present symptoms. No recognized health authority in the world acknowledged safe levels of asbestos exposure.
The company misled the Food and Drug Administration in 1976, telling them that researchers found no asbestos in its products over a ten-month period from 1972 to 1973. It omitted that three different labs had found amounts of asbestos in samples between 1972 and 1975.
Johnson & Johnson’s behavior and that of other manufacturers of talcum powder put millions of Americans at risk of cancer and death. Because these companies failed to warn the public of the cancer risk, they exposed themselves to product liability lawsuits.
If you believe you have developed an illness due to asbestos exposure, the product liability attorneys with Nessler & Associates can help you file a talc lawsuit. We can demonstrate the link between talcum powder and ovarian cancer, lung cancer, and uterine cancer.
What is Talcum Powder?
Talcum powder is made from a mineral called talc, a soft, naturally occurring substance composed of magnesium, silicon, and oxygen. Manufacturers often use it in cosmetics and personal care products because it absorbs moisture and helps to reduce friction.
People use talcum powder to prevent chafing or reduce the appearance of sweat stains on clothing. In addition, some people use talcum powder as a deodorant or to absorb odors from shoes and other items.
While most people can safely use talcum powder, scientific studies show that regular exposure to talc may increase the risk of ovarian cancer. As a result, some health experts recommend limiting its use or avoiding it altogether.
Talcum Powder’s Link to Ovarian Cancer
Johnson’s Baby Powder and other talc powder products were advertised as vital components of a feminine hygiene routine. Some women were advised to sprinkle it on their sanitary napkins and other feminine hygiene products.
Genital talcum powder use can cause the powder to travel through the genital tract and enter the ovaries. Once inside the ovarian tissue, the talc particles cause inflammation and the development of ovarian cancer cells. This inflammation can lead to the growth of cancerous tumors.
Long-term use of talcum-based products leads to an elevated risk for ovarian cancer diagnosis. A 2016 study determined that women who used a talcum powder product for longer had a higher ovarian cancer risk. The results of a 2019 study showed that women who had their fallopian tubes ligated had a decreased risk of ovarian cancer after using talc-based products.
If you used talc-containing products, get legal representation to pursue an ovarian cancer lawsuit. The experienced legal team at Nessler & Associates understands how perineal talcum powder use leads to ovarian cancer.
Talcum Powder and Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that affects the lining of the lungs, abdomen, or heart. Exposure to asbestos, a material that was once widely used in construction and other industries, causes the vast majority of mesothelioma cases. Talcum can be contaminated with asbestos. Once inside the body, asbestos fibers can cause inflammation and lead to the development of mesothelioma.
Symptoms of mesothelioma
When asbestos fibers are inhaled, they can become lodged in the lining of the lungs, where they can eventually cause changes that lead to cancer. Mesothelioma develops slowly, and symptoms may not appear for up to 40 years after asbestos exposure. As a result, the disease is often not diagnosed until it has advanced.
Discomfort in the chest is one sign of mesothelioma. Other symptoms include:
- Persistent cough accompanied by pain
- Breathing difficulties
- Lumpy tissue beneath your skin on your chest
- Weight loss without explanation
Mesothelioma in the abdominal region can cause nausea, abdominal pain, and swelling. Other types of mesothelioma, such as pericardial mesothelioma, are rare, but they have the same symptoms, such as breathing difficulties and chest pain.
Current treatment options for mesothelioma include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. A number of promising new treatments are currently being developed, including photodynamic therapy.
What to Know About Talcum Powder Lawsuits Against Johnson & Johnson
Johnson & Johnson has been selling baby powder since 1894. The company has evolved into a leader in the consumer health and pharmaceutical markets, having a market capitalization of $464 billion in 2022.
Despite this, the company is currently facing multiple lawsuits claiming the company’s products may cause cancer. CNBC reported in 2019 that the number of lawsuits against Johnson & Johnson had surpassed 14,000. The lawsuits allege that Johnson & Johnson knew or should have known about the potential cancer risks associated with its products. However, they failed to warn consumers.
Approximately 11,000 of the lawsuits were merged into multi-district litigation. The company denies any wrongdoing and maintains that its products are safe.
Multidistrict litigation
Multidistrict litigation (MDL) is a legal procedure that consolidates similar lawsuits into one court for efficiency and fairness. MDLs are often used in cases involving complex products, such as pharmaceutical drugs, where there may be hundreds or even thousands of individual lawsuits pending.
Cancer cases are frequently consolidated into MDLs. MDLs can help plaintiffs build a strong case against the defendant by pooling resources and sharing information. In addition, MDLs can help streamline the discovery process and save on court costs. While MDLs are not suitable for every case, they can be an essential tool for cancer patients who a defective product has harmed.
Johnson & Johnson’s history of misconduct
Johnson & Johnson has paid billions of dollars in fines and settlements for placing consumers at risk. The company has set aside $4 billion to cover the thousands of lawsuits that are being brought against the consumer goods giant over its talcum powder product.
Older cases of fines and litigation against Johnson & Johnson concerning health issues caused by the company’s products include:
A $5 billion settlement agreement over opioid medication from Johnson & Johnson sold in the United States
$387,500,000 paid by Janssen Pharmaceuticals, a wholly owned Johnson & Johnson subsidiary, for safety-related offenses
A $2.2 billion resolution in 2013 for liability arising from three of the company’s prescription drugs
In 2022, Johnson & Johnson attempted to skirt payment of personal injury claims by creating a shell company and pushing it into bankruptcy. Plaintiffs and advocates argue the move is unconstitutional. These legal maneuvers illustrate the necessity of hiring a qualified attorney for these cases.
Who is Eligible to File a Talcum Powder Lawsuit?
If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with ovarian cancer or mesothelioma after using talcum products, you may wonder if you are eligible to file a lawsuit. The answer will depend on several factors, including whether there is evidence that the talcum powder played a role in causing the cancer.
The top talc products named in these lawsuits include:
- Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder and Shower to Shower
- Colgate-Palmolive’s Cashmere Bouquet
- Whitaker, Clark, and Daniels, Imerys Talc North America, and Vanderbilt Minerals used in the cosmetics industry
Lawsuits involving talcum powder have been successful when there is clear evidence that the victim used the powder regularly and was diagnosed with ovarian cancer soon afterward. If you believe that you may have a case, it is crucial to speak with an experienced attorney who can help you understand your legal options.
Is There a Statute of Limitations?
Statute of limitations laws vary from state to state. These laws often have complicated exceptions and definitions.
The manufacturers’ concealment of the risks involved in using their products might affect these statutes of limitations.
During your initial consultation, the talcum powder lawyers with the law firm of Nessler & Associates will discuss your options with you regarding your legal claims.
Filing a Talcum Powder Lawsuit
Filing a talcum powder lawsuit can help you recover compensatory damages for your medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Victims can hold these manufacturers responsible for their reckless disregard for their customers’ safety by filing lawsuits.
An experienced attorney can review your case and help you determine if you have a claim. They will gather evidence and build a powerful argument on your behalf if you do. Filing a lawsuit may also help protect other consumers from being harmed by talcum powder.
Hiring Experienced Talcum Powder Lawyers
Personal hygiene products should not cause painful, life-threatening harm to consumers. Furthermore, you shouldn’t have to pay your medical bills out of pocket for a company’s wrongdoing and negligence.
The personal injury lawyers at Nessler and Associates have the experience of taking on large corporations like Johnson & Johnson and pursuing the compensation you deserve.
We sift through your medical records and carefully examine the potential link between your talcum powder use and your medical condition. We can work with medical experts who can connect your illness to talcum powder. Their testimonies in court can help the jury understand your pain and suffering and how the negligent company caused it.
Call us at (800) 727-8010 for a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss the details of your case and learn how we can help you pursue restitution. Our law firm will work with you on a contingency fee basis, so you don’t have to worry about legal fees.
