Johnson & Johnson, a well-known producer of bathroom and cosmetic products, has recently come under fire for numerous claims that regular use of their famous Baby Powder indirectly caused certain types of cancer in multiple people. As a result, on May 20 they announced that they would discontinue selling the talc-formulation of its Baby Powder in the United States.
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with cancer after regularly using Baby Powder or other talc powders, please contact Estey & Bomberger today to discuss your case. There has been a lot of contention and confusion regarding talc powder and its relation to cancer; our talcum powder lawsuit attorneys can help you sort through the facts and explore your potential options for compensation.
We are a nationally recognized personal injury firm with significant experience holding large institutions accountable for any negligence or carelessness that has caused harms in consumers. Contact our talcum powder lawsuit attorneys today and see how we can use our experience in your case.
Why Do You Need a Lawyer For a Talcum Powder Lawsuit?
In lawsuits against large drug companies, it is highly recommended to seek legal representation before proceeding with a claim. These are cases that can be stressful, complex, and require hands-on experience in order to achieve success. A personal injury lawyer with prior trial or mass tort experience can be vital for your case.
Additionally, many in similar situations likely have higher priorities than litigating a case. This is especially true in this case, where you may be focused on fighting cancer and spending time with your family. A skilled product liability attorney is able to make all the legal moves necessary on your behalf so that you can focus on healing and recovery.
Finally, lawsuits such as one against a large company like Johnson & Johnson are difficult to win without a comprehensive, compelling case with a large body of evidence substantiating your claim. A product liability lawyer can help you gather all the evidence necessary, while also looking for any other plaintiffs who have had similar experiences. Having multiple plaintiffs with similar instances can be excellent evidence to suggest negligence on the part of Johnson & Johnson – maximizing your chances for recovery and compensation.
How Estey & Bomberger Can Help
At Estey & Bomberger, we are committed to holding large corporations accountable for any negligent actions they may have committed for their own personal interests. If you have contracted cancer due to Baby Powder, the personal injury lawyers at Estey & Bomberger want to help you in the fight against Johnson & Johnson.
In the same report as above, it was discovered that Johnson & Johnson also lobbied to prevent thorough investigations of talc contamination in certain products. Normally, all drugs and first aid products containing talc are analyzed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to ensure it meets the standards for minimal asbestos contamination. Johnson & Johnson’s Baby Powder does not fall under this rigorous standard because it is categorized as a cosmetic product. This gives the responsibility of quality control to Johnson & Johnson themselves – a responsibility they’ve previously failed to uphold in the consumer’s best interests.
Our team of attorneys can hold Johnson & Johnson liable for these despicable practices, pushing for change at an institutional level to ensure others are not impacted by their negligence in the future.
2024 Talcum Powder Lawsuit Update
Johnson & Johnson and other talcum powder companies have faced litigation from consumers for several years. Many of these lawsuits have been consolidated into multi-district litigation (MDL), which consolidates lawsuits from across different districts into one court to streamline pretrial processes and discovery.
Below are some recent updates on the ongoing talcum powder lawsuits in 2024:
- March 19, 2024: Plaintiffs’ attorneys challenge Johnson & Johnson’s attempt to block a subpoena aimed at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC), seeking all communications about its talcum powder product liabilities. Johnson & Johnson’s objections, citing attorney-client privilege, face intense scrutiny. Plaintiffs have emphasized the need for transparency, especially as the corporation has hinted at filing for bankruptcy a third time to halt ongoing litigation.
- March 6, 2024: A Florida judge declares a mistrial in a case linking Johnson & Johnson’s baby powder to the death of a Miami anesthesiologist, with jurors unable to reach a unanimous verdict after extensive deliberations. The plaintiff sought $14 million in damages, alleging decades-long use of the product resulted in cancer.
- March 1, 2024: The defense phase of the Miami ovarian cancer trial proceeds. Johnson & Johnson’s Chief Medical Officer denies any link between baby powder use and ovarian cancer, despite the company’s removal of talc powder from the market in 2020 for “business reasons.”
- February 16, 2024: In the Miami trial, the judge rules Johnson & Johnson’s historical advertisements as relevant for assessing punitive damages.
- February 14, 2024: A Miami jury hears allegations against Johnson & Johnson for its longstanding awareness of the cancer risks posed by its baby powder.
- February 10, 2024: New deadlines are set in the MDL, outlining a timeline for expert witness depositions and the filing of dispositive motions.
- February 5, 2024: J&J continues its aggressive defense, issuing subpoenas to challenge the credibility of plaintiffs’ expert witnesses and legal teams.
- February 2, 2024: The MDL sees the addition of 34 new cases in January.
- January 23, 2024: Johnson & Johnson proposes a $6.9 billion settlement for over 50,000 ovarian cancer claims, though negotiations continue over the adequacy of this offer.
- January 11, 2024: Johnson & Johnson agrees to a $700 million settlement in lawsuits across numerous states for deceptive marketing practices concerning its talcum powder products.
- January 3, 2024: A class action lawsuit by Johnson & Johnson investors gains traction, reflecting broader concerns about the company’s transparency regarding product safety and asbestos testing.
- January 1, 2024: The MDL docket adds five new cases in the final week of 2023, indicating continued interest in litigation against Johnson & Johnson for its talcum powder products.
What is Talc?
Talc, also known as talcum powder, is a naturally occurring mineral that was previously the main ingredient in Johnson & Johnson’s Baby Powder. Due to its drying effect, it was intended to treat irritation or rashes caused by moisture and/or friction.
Current formulations of Baby Powder and other similar products use corn starch, rather than talc.
Is Talc Dangerous?
Talc has previously been considered harmless, but it has had a contentious history as a potential carcinogen. The safety of talc powder was first questioned in the 1980s, when talc particles were found in some women’s ovarian tumors. However, since then, the scientific community has largely failed to come to a conclusion regarding its carcinogenic properties. Currently, the consensus is that talc powder, in its purest form, is not associated with an increased risk of certain cancers – including ovarian cancer.
However, talc powders can be dangerous because they have a high likelihood of being contaminated with asbestos. Talcum powder is processed by mining talc deposits in mines – and a form of asbestos called tremolite is commonly found in the same vicinity as talc deposits, due to their similar chemical composition. When talc is mined, residual tremolite may also end up in the harvest. Too much tremolite in talc can then cause widespread asbestos contamination of talc powder.
Asbestos is an incredibly potent carcinogen that can cause a number of rare, aggressive cancers. The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) both state that there is no safe amount of asbestos exposure. Additionally, some studies have found that some people may develop cancers after just a few days of exposure.
Can Talcum Powder Cause Cancer?
The relationship between talcum powder and cancer has been the subject of significant scientific and legal scrutiny. While many types of cancer have been linked to talc exposure—including lung and stomach cancer—researchers have often focused on ovarian cancer and mesothelioma, a disease associated with asbestos exposure.
Historically, talc mines have been found near asbestos deposits, leading to possible contamination. Because asbestos is a known carcinogen, contaminated talc has been widely accepted to cause cancer. However, it is unclear whether asbestos-free talc can cause cancer.
Although talc products sold in the United States have been asbestos free since the 1970s, many concerns persist about potential contamination. The cosmetics and personal care industries are responsible for ensuring that their talcum powder is free from asbestos; no government body evaluates asbestos levels before a product is brought to market. This lack of oversight may mean that consumers are being exposed to asbestos-contaminated products without their knowledge, heightening their cancer risk.
Talcum Powder and Ovarian Cancer
Ovarian cancer is a deadly disease that begins in the ovaries and often goes undetected until it has spread within the pelvis and abdomen. Early-stage ovarian cancer rarely causes any symptoms, making it difficult to diagnose until the disease is in its advanced stages. The connection between talcum powder and ovarian cancer has been explored in numerous studies over the past few decades.
Researchers hypothesize that talcum powder particles, when applied for feminine hygiene purposes, can ascend through the vagina, uterus, and fallopian tubes to the ovaries. This migration of talc particles can lead to inflammation, and if the talc contains asbestos—a known carcinogen—even small amounts can trigger cellular changes that may develop into cancer over time.
Several studies have examined this link, with the earliest research taking place in the 1970s. These researchers discovered talc particles in ovarian and cervical tumors, as well as the lymph nodes of women with ovarian cancer. Later studies also uncovered a link between talcum powder and this serious disease:
- In 2007, a case report examined the pelvic lymph nodes of a 68-year-old woman with ovarian cancer, who had sprinkled talcum powder on her genital area every day for 30 years. These lymph nodes contained talc particles.
- In 2016, a study suggested that women who regularly applied talc to their genital areas had a 33% higher risk of developing ovarian cancer than women who did not use this product.
- A 2016 study of African American women found that those who applied talcum powder to their genital area on a regular basis had a 44% higher risk of developing ovarian cancer.
Why Are Talcum Powder Lawsuits Being Filed?
Cancer is a serious disease that can disrupt every aspect of your life, from your physical well-being and your ability to work to your psychological health and personal independence. Now, tens of thousands of people who have developed ovarian cancer or mesothelioma after using talcum powder have filed lawsuits against the manufacturers responsible for their exposure.
Plaintiffs claim that manufacturers, including Johnson & Johnson, failed to warn users about the risk of cancer from talcum powder products. These lawsuits often allege that companies were aware of potential asbestos contamination and the associated risks but chose not to disclose this information to consumers.
Major brands facing this litigation include:
- Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder
- Johnson & Johnson Shower to Shower
- Gold Bond Body Powder
- Gold Bond Extra Strength Body Powder
- Gold Bond No Mess Powder Spray
- Cashmere Bouquet from Colgate-Palmolive
In addition to filing claims against manufacturers, plaintiffs are also naming talc suppliers, distributors, and even retail stores in their claims. If you believe that you qualify for a talcum powder lawsuit, the attorneys at Estey & Bomberger, LLP can help you identify the liable parties and take the appropriate legal action.
Johnson & Johnson Has a History of Talc Powder Contamination
Despite the prevalence of other talc-based powders on the market, Johnson & Johnson and its Baby Powder have seemingly been sole targets for lawsuits due to their negligent history of talc powder contamination.
An investigative report by Reuters in December 2018 found that the company regularly found their talc contaminated with asbestos dating as far back as the 1970s. Further, internal documents made it clear that they were aware of the problem and wanted to resolve it without notifying the general public.
Johnson & Johnson Has Been Ordered to Pay Billions for Talc Powder Lawsuits
This talc powder contamination is the crux of the lawsuits surrounding Johnson & Johnson and their Baby Powder products. Since 2018, the company has fought lawsuits regarding Baby Powder and its carcinogenic properties – and has nearly lost every case. To date, they have been ordered to pay billions in damages to numerous plaintiffs – including punitive damages, which are only awarded in cases of extreme carelessness or gross negligence.
Contact A Talcum Powder Lawsuit Attorney Today
If you or a loved one has contracted cancer after the use of Johnson & Johnson talc-based Baby Powder products, please contact our experienced product liability lawyers today to discuss your case. The injury attorneys at Estey & Bomberger want to help you fight for the maximum possible compensation you need – and the justice you deserve. Call (800) 260-7197 at any time or contact us online to find out how we can help.