Talcum Powder Cancer Lawsuits & Settlements
Talcum Powder Ovarian Cancer Lawyers
Lawsuits are being filed against Johnson and Johnson for selling Talcum Powder without disclosing the potential risk of cancer. If you regularly used Johnson & Johnson’s baby powder or their other talcum products for personal hygiene and have been diagnosed with an ovarian type cancer or mesothelioma, you may be entitled to significant compensation. There are other criteria to help determine if you have a case. To learn more, call us today for a Free Consultation 1-877-943-9378 (WEST).
How to Protect the Women in Your Life from Talc
Please inform your family and friends that Johnson & Johnson talcum powder products are not recalled, do not contain cancer warnings and are not monitored by the FDA. Fortunately, two baby powder companies, Angel of Mine Baby Powder and Spring Fresh Powder, currently have a label on their products warning consumers of ovarian cancer risks. The major talc suppliers who ship talc to manufacturers for product production also have labels warning of cancer risks.
The Talcum Powder Alternative — Cornstarch-Based Products
Better Safe Than Sorry! The National Center for Health Research advocates women to simply avoid all possibility of cancer risks by using cornstarch-based products as a safe alternative. Before using any personal hygiene products, it is important to read the ingredients carefully and ensure they do not contain talc or a mixture of talc with cornstarch.
Johnson & Johnson Talcum Powder Ovarian Cancer Lawsuits
Product liability claims and wrongful death claims involving talcum powder are filed in state and federal courts across the nation. There are currently over 12,000 plaintiffs with cases against Johnson & Johnson and its talc supplier Imerys Talc America.
Below are some recent talc power trial outcomes:
- 2018 Ingham et al vs Johnson & Johnson-St. Louis: 22 women were awarded $550 Million in actual damages and $4.14 Billion in Punitive Damages. Jurors heard evidence that J & J Baby Powder and Shower to Shower have been laced with asbestos for decades.
- 2017 Eva Echeverria vs Johnson & Johnson- Los Angeles: $417 Million verdict reversed, however, a new trial is pending. Eva Echeverria began using J&J talcum powder at age 11 and was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2007.
- 2017 Slemp vs Johnson & Johnson- St. Louis: $5.4 Million in compensatory damages and $105 Million in punitive damages for failing to disclose cancer risk from Baby Powder and Shower to Shower. Ms. Slemp, 62, was too frail to attend her trial.
- 2016 Giannecchini vs Johnson & Johnson- St. Louis:
$70 Million awarded to Deborah Giannecchini who used baby powder for over 40 years and was diagnosed with ovarian cancer at age 59. - 2016 Ristesund vs Johnson & Johnson- Missouri
$55 Million verdict was overturned on an unrelated U.S. Supreme Court ruling; however, the Ristesund family is still fighting for justice. Jurors heard evidence of J&J targeting African American and Hispanic communities in their marketing.
Does Talcum Powder Cause Cancer?
Currently, the National Cancer Institute and The American Cancer Society say the link between talc and ovarian cancer is unclear; however, recent reviews and meta-analysis in Epidemiology find a consistent association between talc use and ovarian cancer. These studies show that women who use talcum powder in the genital area are about 30% more likely to develop ovarian cancer.
The International Journal of Gynecological Cancer reports that frequent use of talcum powder on the female genital areas increases ovarian cancer risk for up to 60%, and the Cancer Prevention Research Journal states a 41% increased risk. Some sources dispute these conclusions saying there’s not enough information to conclude talc causes cancer. However, according to Dr. Graham Colditz, deputy director of prevention and control at the Siteman Cancer Center, science is just beginning to explain how duration and frequency of talc exposure may create an association between talc-based products and cancer. Thus, using a corn starch-based product is a way to avoid the risk altogether.
Talcum Powder Injuries
Exactly how talcum powder causes ovarian cancer is still unknown. One theory is that talc particles pass through the vagina, uterus, and fallopian tubes causing inflammation in the ovarian tissue eventually resulting in cancerous tumors. Another possibility is that talc powder is contaminated with asbestos, which is known to cause cancer.
Mesothelioma, a deadly cancer, is sometimes linked to talc injuries. Asbestos is the primary cause of mesothelioma, and it is naturally found in close proximity in the earth as talc. Some lawsuits claim manufactures knowingly sold talcum powder products contaminated with this established carcinogen, and some juries have agreed with this claim. It is against the law to sell talc-based products that contain asbestos.
What Compensation is Available for Talcum Powder Injuries?
Your compensation will depend on the details of your claim. If a lawyer sues manufacturer or supplier of talc-based products on your behalf, the following factors are considered:
- Past and future wage loss
- Past and future medical expenses related to any injury caused by the talc
- Past and future pain and suffering caused by talc
- Past and future loss of capacity to earn money
- Past and future loss of enjoyment of life
- Punitive damages, when appropriate
Get a Free Consultation with a Johnson & Johnson Talcum Powder Cancer Lawyer
If you have been diagnosed with ovarian cancer or mesothelioma and have had prolonged and significant exposure to talcum powder products, it’s important to speak with an experienced attorney as soon as possible. At West Law Firm, we invite you to call us for a Free Consultation. Our toll-free number is 1-877-943-WEST (9378), and there’s also no cost to you unless you recover compensation. Our attorneys serve clients injured by talcum powder in West Virginia and nationwide.