Talcum Powder Lawsuit for Women with Ovarian Cancer

In numerous studies, talcum powder use has been linked to ovarian cancer, but the baby powder manufacturers have failed to warn women of this increased risk of ovarian cancer. Tens of thousands of women are now filing talcum powder lawsuits against Johnson & Johnson for failing to warn about the risks of using these talc-based products.

The makers of talcum powders knew that their products contained asbestos fibers, which can cause ovarian cancer when used near the genitals. At Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, our personal injury attorneys are negotiating settlements in talc litigation involving Johnson & Johnson and others selling talcum products.

Contact a dangerous product lawyer at (888) 424-5757 (toll-free phone number) or use the contact form today for immediate legal advice and schedule a free consultation. All confidential or sensitive information you share with our legal team remains private through an attorney-client relationship.

Talcum powder (baby powder) is a staple in many women's hygiene routines. It can be found in baby powders, foot powder, and adult feminine products.

Talc is also used to reduce friction during sex and as an anti-diarrheal agent for infants. However, there are serious health concerns associated with talcum powder exposure that has been linked to ovarian cancer and mesothelioma.

Talc Products Not Yet Banned

While the FDA has not banned or restricted the use of talc in cosmetics, several studies indicate that this mineral may increase your risk of developing ovarian cancer if you apply it near your genital area regularly (such as when using a scented feminine product).

Some researchers believe that exposure to talc particles increases the likelihood of developing ovarian cancer by up to 40%.

Additionally, one study indicated that women who regularly used talc-based body powder were three times more likely to develop lung cancer than those who did not use any type of body powder.

Johnson & Johnson is the largest producer of talcum powder in the United States. The company has been named in thousands of lawsuits alleging that it knew about the risks associated with talcum powder but failed to warn women.

Talc Litigation for Favorable Compensation

Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers LLC represents women and men who have developed cancer after using talcum powder. Our law firm is committed to securing the most favorable compensation for individuals and families harmed by talcum powder products.

The ovarian cancer lawsuits revolve around the chilling revelation that the regular use of talcum powder causes ovarian cancer, specifically ovarian and lung cancers.

Talcum powder product manufacturers have failed to warn of these severe, life-threatening complications. As a result, women who use talcum powder for personal hygiene never knew they were doing something that could cost them their health or life.

Connection Between Talcum and Ovarian Cancer

Thousands of cases have been filed across the United States, alleging that Johnson & Johnson, America's leading talcum powder product manufacturer, has used talc particles in both its Johnson's Baby Powder and Shower to Shower body powders for adults for decades.

For years, Johnson & Johnson withheld scientific studies exposing the link between talcum powder use and ovarian and other cancers.

This choice not to inform the public has led to jurors awarding the injured with punitive damages and financial payments intended to punish bad corporate behavior. Some cases are pending, and others are actively being tried and settled, with developments continuing.

What You Can Do to Reduce Your Risks

If you are concerned about the potential ovarian cancer risk associated with talcum powder, there are a few things you can do to reduce your exposure:

• Avoid using Johnson & Johnson talc products that contain talc particles near your genital area
• Do not use body or baby powder that contains talc if you are at high risk for ovarian cancer
• Choose feminine hygiene products that are labeled as "talc-free" when using the powder in the genital area.
• Talk to your doctor if you have any concerns about using talc powder

Exposure to asbestos and other toxic chemicals in contaminated genital talc-containing products may also increase your risk of ovarian cancer. Consult with your health care provider to determine if you have been exposed to asbestos and other harmful chemicals.

Johnson & Johnson's Baby Powder Lawsuit Lawyers

Were you diagnosed with mesothelioma or ovarian cancer and suspect talc-based baby powder use might be to blame? If so, our trial attorneys can provide you with the latest information. Our legal team gathered answers to some frequently asked questions about talc, talcum powder, baby powder, cancer, and litigation below.

Would you like more information on Johnson's Talcum powder lawsuits? If so, Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers LLC can help you understand your legal rights and weigh your chances for success if you're considering talcum powder litigation.

Contact us today to arrange a free consultation with our experienced legal team. We are headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, and serve clients nationally.

Women at Risk for Developing Cancer After Using Talc Products

Many of these talc-based products are marketed to women using marketing slogans that actively push perineal talc use to control sweating, moisture, and odor in adult women's bodies, saying, 'you sweat in more places than just your underarms.'

Women using talcum powder and talc-based products for personal feminine hygiene are at a heightened risk for developing ovarian cancer or epithelial ovarian cancer if the product was used how it has been marketed.

Talc is a naturally occurring mineral that manufacturers use in baby powder, adult cosmetics, cleaning supplies, and more.

The use of Johnson and Johnson talcum powder may lead to cancer of the ovaries if used in women's genital areas. Talcum powder can eliminate dampness and lessen friction, so women have used it directly on their skin, underwear, and genital areas to reduce moisture, chafing, and odors.

However, according to the American Cancer Society, research studies reveal that talcum powder use near the vagina permits it to enter the body and travel to the ovaries. Talc particles may lead to malignancy if contaminated with asbestos, a known carcinogen. Talc frequently occurs in nature with asbestos in various amounts of toxic substances.

Talcum Powder Causes Ovarian Cancer

Starting in the 1970s, studied research found a link between talc particles and asbestos. In the 1971 medical paper "Talc and Carcinoma of the Ovary and Cervix,' researchers reported finding talc remnants deep within cancerous tumors.

As early as 1994, cancer patients' rights organizations explicitly lodged complaints about the talc particle and malignancy connection in genital talc powder products. Mining companies have listed cancer warnings on talc safety data sheets since 2006.

Research shows that talc can also cause lung cancer - specifically, mesothelioma, a lung disease that affects the linings between the torso's organs. Scientists believe the malignancy is caused by asbestos contamination in the talc.

If the talcum powder is inhaled - as it might be for a regular user of body powder or baby powder - those asbestos particles can be trapped in the lungs.

Despite repeated reassurances that talc in their talcum powder was asbestos-free, there's evidence that cosmetics company Johnson & Johnson - one of the largest producers of talc products - continued finding asbestos in its talcum powder brands but failed to disclose those findings to the public.

Johnson & Johnson Knew of the Risk of Ovarian Cancer from Talcum Powder Use

Internal documentation suggests it knew about the cancer link as early as 1997. Nonetheless, the company continued to sell talc products without warning consumers about increased ovarian cancer risk.

Not only did the company keep the product on the market despite the risk of developing ovarian malignancy, but it also tried to play an active role in the debate denying the link.

The Side Effects of Talc and Talcum Powder

The signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer can be subtle or confused with signs of other, less severe illnesses. There may be few signs of its advancement, especially in the initial stages. However, signs become more apparent as the disease advances, especially after the disease spreads (metastasizes) through the body.

According to the National Cancer Institute, symptoms of malignancy in the ovaries include, but are not limited to:

• Frequent urination
• Appetite loss
• Pelvic pain
• Abdominal pain
• Swelling in the abdomen, pelvis, or adjacent areas of the body
• Fluctuations in bowel habits
• Constipation
• Rapid or significant weight loss

How Ovarian Cancer Is Diagnosed

Physicians who suspect ovarian cancer or cancer of the fallopian tubes will generally confirm their diagnosis by reviewing biopsy material, removing some tissue for close examination.

Suppose you've been diagnosed with ovarian cancer or cancer of the fallopian tubes at any disease stage. In that case, you may be offered treatment options, including chemotherapy, surgery, radiation therapy, and hormone therapy. Which ones you're offered may depend on your stage of the disease and other health factors.

How Ovarian Cancer Is Treated

Surgery is the most chosen treatment for removal of the cancerous tissue, or in some cases, the entire reproductive system. However, how much tissue is removed depends on how the disease has progressed and the patient's age.

Typically, a gynecologic oncologist, a doctor specializing in female reproductive system cancers, performs the surgery.

Ovarian cancer or mesothelioma patients may also be given chemotherapy, where doctors administer mild toxins to prevent cancer cells from growing. Patients with ovarian cancer usually take chemotherapy drugs periodically for about a month and may repeat this process a handful of times, depending on the disease's progress.

The exact amount and kind of drugs you take depend on your circumstances and your doctor's opinions.

In addition to, or instead of, one of the above treatments, doctors may also prescribe hormone therapy or radiation. Radiation is not commonly used for ovarian cancer, but it kills malignant ovarian cancer cells with X-rays.

Hormone therapy triggers or suppresses hormones in the body in ways that can fight cancer. Also, you may be offered targeted therapies, which use your body's initial response to chemotherapy to direct further treatment narrowly.

Whether any of these are options may depend on your circumstances and your doctor. Early detection is an essential factor in ovarian cancer survival rates. However, outcomes vary widely and depend on whether the patient responds well to treatment.

How Talcum Powder Causes Cancer

Yes, multiple medical studies show a connection between cancer and talc powder exposure. Statistically, one in fifty women, or 2%, develop ovarian cancer. However, studies show that using talcum powder might heighten the ovarian cancer risk to 25% or even 30%.

Talcum powder, an exceptionally fine powder, can be inhaled. The American Cancer Society says it's generally accepted that talc with asbestos can cause lung cancer—specifically, mesothelioma, a rare lung disease caused only by exposure to asbestos.

Any asbestos contaminating the talcum powder can be inhaled with it. Those asbestos particles are so small that they can become trapped in the body and cause irritation that eventually creates ovarian cancer issues or mesothelioma.

Unfortunately, mesothelioma takes decades to reveal any symptoms, and it's often not detected until the disease has advanced to a challenging stage to treat effectively. A diagnosis of advanced mesothelioma can be devastating and a terminal illness.

Case Studies Correlating Talc Powder with Cancer

Perhaps the most convincing evidence that perineal talc use is related to ovarian cancer was revealed in two case-control studies from 2016, The African American Cancer Epidemiology Study (AACES) and The New England Ovarian Cancer Study.

The study compared nearly 600 African American women with ovarian cancer to over 700 women who weren't afflicted.

African American Cancer Epidemiology Study

This study found that women who had used talc in their genital area were 44% more likely to be diagnosed with ovarian cancer than the control group, increasing their risk from 1.3% to 2%.

A study footnote indicated that women with a respiratory condition like asthma were slightly more elevated at risk. Its authors attribute the increased risk to the body's ability to react and develop inflammation—a condition known to spur malignancy cell growth.

New England Ovarian Cancer Study

The National Institutes of Health funded the study involving over 2,000 women diagnosed with ovarian cancer. This group was compared to over 1,500 women who had not been diagnosed with ovarian cancer.

Women who had used Johnson talc on their genitals or other body areas were about thirty-three percent more likely than non-users to develop ovarian cancer.

The study also found an additional risk factor: Women who were sterilized before menopause (through a hysterectomy or tubal ligation) or who took hormone replacement therapy for menopause symptoms were more likely to develop cancer than talc powder users alone.

• To date, almost two dozen studies suggest that a relationship exists between Johnson's talcum powder and ovarian cancer.
• There have also been surveys of studies that collect the results from multiple medical studies to see a clear trend within those studies.
• All studies found a substantial increase in malignancy risk for people who used talcum powder anywhere on their bodies.

The Reasons for a Talcum Powder Lawsuit

People are suing over ovarian cancer and mesothelioma because, for decades, Johnson & Johnson and other talc-containing product makers denied any correlation between malignancy and their products. However, in recent years, a wealth of research has shown a connection.

A talc baby powder lawsuit generally alleges that Johnson & Johnson has known about this link since 1982 but failed to warn customers about the risks. However, Dr. Daniel Cramer, a Harvard epidemiologist, discovered the link between Johnson talcum powder and an increased risk of cancer in a study he conducted in 1982.

When he released the results, Johnson and Johnson contacted him to discuss his observations and evidence. As a result, he suggested taking talcum powder and baby powder products off the market.

Twenty-one additional studies over three more decades supported the epidemiologist's conclusions. However, Johnson & Johnson continued to market their products without warning.

That decision led to jurors awarding massive punitive damages to people who developed ovarian cancer from talcum powder exposure. A St Louis jury awarded over $4 billion to 23 women who sued the company in state court.

Contact an attorney at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers LLC today if you have questions about joining a pending talcum powder civil suit.

FDA Sampling Tests Finds Asbestos-Laced Talcum Powder

In February 2020, the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) held a meeting for public awareness on the testing methods used to identify asbestos in cosmetic products and talcum powder. The following month, the federal administration issued updates on their results.

Some of the results show that out of fifty-one samples of talc powder and cosmetic talc products, including blush, nine samples tested positive for asbestos, and forty-three were found to be negative. Additional talcum powder samplings by the FDA are expected to be conducted throughout the remainder of the year, with results of the test made public expected in early 2021.

According to the Cancer Society, some studies have shown a potential risk of women developing Ovarian Cancer. However, the organization says that there is only minimal scientific evidence of a correlation between Ovarian Cancer and talcum powder.

Status of Lawsuits Filed Against Johnson & Johnson

Baby powder litigation is an active area of federal and state law. Lawsuits alleging a link between talcum powder and ovarian cancer—and manufacturers withheld information about that link—have made headlines, thanks to jury verdicts in the millions and billions of dollars.

According to CNBC, Johnson & Johnson faced roughly 14,000 Baby Powder and Shower to Shower lawsuits as of July 2019, alleging that its baby powder products caused an increased risk of ovarian cancer or mesothelioma.

The network says 11,000 of those cases have been consolidated into one case heard as 'multidistrict litigation' in New Jersey federal court.

There are also individual talcum powder cases that have not been consolidated.

How Johnson & Johnson Is Faring in Cancer Lawsuits

• In July 2019, a supreme court upheld a California jury's award of $417 million to Deborah Giannecchini. The Los Angeles jury found sufficient evidence that Johnson & Johnson's baby powder caused her malignancy and ordered hundreds of millions of dollars in punitive damages.
• According to an October 2019 report from the New York Times, Johnson & Johnson has lost at least fourteen talc trials, including one where jurors awarded plaintiffs $4.7 billion. One talcum powder case, Olson v. Brenntag, involved Donna Olson and her husband, who argued that Johnson & Johnson baby powder products caused Olson's mesothelioma after using talc powder. It is a disease caused by exposure to asbestos. A New York jury ultimately awarded the couple $325 million. Unfortunately, Olson was too sick to attend, having been forced to remove one of her lungs.
• In 2018, another plaintiff's victory involved plaintiffs in Ingham v. Johnson & Johnson. The talcum powder litigation focused explicitly on exposure to asbestos leading to an ovarian cancer diagnosis. The trial lasted six weeks, ending in 2018 with a jury verdict of more than $4.6 billion—$25 million for each family, including some who had already lost loved ones to ovarian cancer. This trial was remarkable not just for the massive award but in how the jurors arrived at that dollar amount for compensatory and punitive damages.
• A St. Louis jury was motivated to pursue punitive damages in an amount that would send a message. According to the Missouri St. Louis Post-Dispatch, The Missouri jury 'multiplied the roughly $70 million Johnson & Johnson earned selling talc baby powder in a recent year by the 43 years it's been since the company claimed the baby powder did not contain asbestos'.
• In March 2019, Johnson & Johnson reached a series of settlements with mesothelioma victims in three states. The settlements likely avoided additional costs to the company from an Oklahoma, New York, or California jury verdict that leaves plaintiffs with huge awards. For example, in the Oklahoma talcum powder case, the company offered a settlement after the trial while the jury deliberated. A 36-year-old plaintiff argued that she'd gotten cancer after using the product since childhood. In New York, Johnson & Johnson settled the case a month before trial.
• A California jury recently ordered this company to pay $417 million in damages after it was found that Johnson & Johnson failed to adequately warn consumers about the potential risks associated with its talcum powder products.
• 'Talc is a mineral that has just been awful for women, and we are really trying to get the word out,' according to a lawyer for the women suing Johnson & Johnson.

Has Johnson & Johnson Changed Their Strategy for Settling?

The move to settle lawsuits shifted Johnson and Johnson's strategy in their ovarian cancer and mesothelioma cases. The company had historically been reluctant to settle. But these cases indicate a change.

As a Bloomberg report points out, settling could help the company cut its losses. 'According to Jean Eggen, a Widener University law professor, 'It looks like they have decided to cut their losses in some cases and move on.''

That decision to settle might create faster resolutions for the over pending 13,000 cases of victims diagnosed with mesothelioma and cancer filed against Johnson & Johnson and its talcum powder products. As more information on lawsuits emerges, our talcum powder lawyers will update this page.

Can I Join the Pending Talcum Powder Lawsuits?

Yes, you can join the pending talcum powder lawsuits. These talcum powder claims are typically brought against the manufacturers, producers, and distributors of talcum powder products. In addition, many people have joined talc lawsuits or filed individual cases after being diagnosed with cancer that might have been caused by using talc products.

Whether you have a claim depends on your history of using the product and the type of harm you suffered.

So far, Johnson & Johnson has been named in almost all talc injury cases. Typically, talcum powder lawsuits claim the company did not correctly or adequately warn its consumers of the risk of ovarian cancer or other threats when using its hygiene and cosmetic products.

Interestingly, these class actions were kicked off after an individual in South Dakota won a personal negligence case against Johnson & Johnson using a similar argument. Many newly filed baby powder lawsuits are a part of class-action lawsuits, where many people who have the same complaint against the same person or company join to pursue that complaint in court.

However, not all plaintiffs filing a claim bring the action. Instead, a group representative prosecutes the case for the good of the entire class against the defendant(s) in 'bellwether' cases.

Whether you should join a class-action talc lawsuit or file a talcum powder suit individually is a question you should discuss with an experienced Chicago talcum powder cancer lawyer. Some individuals have obtained higher talcum powder lawsuit settlement amounts or $1 million verdicts (jury awards) or more without participating in class action suits.

The Statute of Limitations for a Talcum Powder Cancer Lawsuit

How long you have to file a talcum powder lawsuit depends on your circumstances and where you live. All states have deadlines to sue, which are the statutes of limitations in the law. The statute prohibits you from bringing an action many years after your injury, in recognition of the reality that evidence and witnesses are harder to find after many years.

Different states have different deadlines for suing, and they may also set different deadlines for various cases. For example, the rule for talc-related injuries in Chicago, Illinois, that might lead to a talcum powder lawsuit allows you two years to file your claim from when you were injured.

You Do Not Have to Sue Right After Using Talc Based Products

Here, we make a very important point about the statute of limitations after using talcum powder. The time clock begins to run after you have gotten sick. It is critical because all of the plaintiffs have used Johnson & Johnson talc baby powder over the years.

Like any asbestos exposure, the toxins lie dormant in the person's body for years until they are sickened. In a sense, they are like a ticking time bomb that can sicken the patient years later. You do not have to sue right after you used talc powder. In fact, you cannot sue until you have developed ovarian cancer.

A Talcum Powder Attorney Costs Nothing Upfront

There are no upfront fees to hire a talcum powder attorney to represent you or your family in a talc powder lawsuit. Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers LLC handles all Johnson & Johnson baby powder cancer lawsuits on a contingency fee agreement. This arrangement ensures that we only receive a fee for our services when we successfully recover on your behalf. If we do not win, you owe us nothing.

Talcum Powder FAQs

Here are some answers to questions that we are commonly asked about talc powder and its link to cause ovarian cancer and the subsequent lawsuits:

Our Law Firm Is Accepting Talcum Powder Claims on Behalf of Individuals and Families

Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers LLC is currently handling talcum powder lawsuits on behalf of women and their families from across the United States.

If you or a loved one has developed ovarian cancer while using Johnson & Johnson talc-based Baby Powder and Shower to Shower, contact us today for a free case evaluation to learn more about your legal options.

During your free case review, our personal injury law firm can help you determine whether it would be in your best interest to join the class action lawsuit initiated against that company's talc powder distributor or talc supplier or file an individual claim.

Our Chicago-based medical product liability attorneys have decades of experience handling these types of cases and have helped thousands of clients receive fair compensation. Our services are free if we cannot do the same for you. 

Call us today for your risk-free initial consultation, so we can begin to discuss your case. A claim or lawsuit submission must be filed in the appropriate county courthouse before the statute of limitations expires.

Visit our Talcum Products FAQs to comprehensively explain these talcum powder medical and legal concepts.

Resources

• Johns Hopkins - Talcum powder and asbestos
• NCBI - Body powder and ovarian cancer risk – what is the role of recall bias?