Talcum Powder is Linked to Ovarian Cancer

In recent years, many big drug companies have been hit by multi-million dollar verdicts brought by people who claimed they were harmed by their products. Although pills and medical devices are usually named in lawsuits, increasing numbers of claims over talcum powder linked to ovarian cancer were filed in recent years.

These talcum powder cases have involved serious injury, long-term medical conditions, and wrongful deaths. A main issue in the lawsuits is the manufacturer’s failure to warn consumers of the cancer and health risks associated with their products.

If you or a loved one have been affected or injured by a talcum powder product, you may be entitled to compensation. Contact us at (757) 244-7000 for a free, no-obligation consultation to determine your legal rights and options.

Johnson & Johnson Agrees to Pay $100 Million In Baby Powder Settlement

In October 2020, Johnson & Johnson agreed to pay over $100 million to settle more than 1,000 lawsuits claiming their talcum powder products cause cancer. The suits claimed that the manufacturer failed to disclose the cancer risks for decades.

This is the first time Johnson & Johnson settled the bulk of plaintiff’s cases in talcum powder lawsuits, as opposed to settling individual lawsuits just prior to trial.

Main take-aways regarding the recent settlement:

• This is the first major settlement the company has issued in four years of litigation.
• In October, 2019, Johnson & Johnson recalled 33,000 bottles of baby powder products out of “an abundance of caution” after trace amounts of asbestos were discovered in the powder.
• In May 2019, the company stopped selling talc-based baby powder products in North America due to a constant barrage of litigation.
• After the settlement, Johnson & Johnson will still have around 20,000 talc-related lawsuits to deal with.

If you have used talcum powder and were diagnosed with ovarian cancer, the talc found in the product may be to blame. Lawsuits are still currently being filed, and you may be entitled to significant compensation for your pain, suffering, and financial costs.

Additional Talcum Powder Litigation Against Johnson & Johnson

In 2018, a landmark ruling was made against Johnson & Johnson when a jury awarded almost $4.7 billion to 22 women and their families who claimed talc contaminated with asbestos in Baby Powder caused their ovarian cancer, reported USA Today.

Tragically, six of the women who brought the action had already died from cancer by the time it reached the courts.

Thousands of women have filed lawsuits claiming their use of talcum powder over a period of years caused ovarian cancer.

What is Talcum Powder?

Talcum powder is produced from talc, a mineral mined from the ground that is made up of silicon, magnesium, and oxygen. The powder has been widely used for years because it absorbs moisture effectively and reduces friction.  Talc keeps the skin dry and is effective at preventing rashes. It is used in a wide range of products.

In recent years, consumer groups have become increasingly concerned about talc. It is often mined near asbestos, a known cancer-causing mineral. Women who develop ovarian cancer point to concerns about cross contamination.

As well as ovarian cancer claims, women and men are suing Johnson & Johnson, claiming talc caused mesothelioma, an asbestos-linked cancer.

What is the Evidence that Talcum Powder is Linked to Ovarian Cancer?

The American Cancer Society states talc containing asbestos is a clear cancer risk. However, these products have been banned for some time, although some women fear talc may still be cross-contaminated.

Concerns over a link between talc and ovarian cancer relate to powder applied to the genital area or on birth control devices that may reach the ovaries via the uterus, and fallopian tubes.

The American Cancer Society points to mixed findings of studies over talc and ovarian cancer. Some alluded to a slightly increased risk and others reported no probable increase, the society said.

A group of scientists from Australia considered 27 studies looking for links between ovarian cancer and talcum powder. This research concluded women who use talc on their genital areas face a 24 to 39 percent increased risk of ovarian cancer.

The society points out many case-control studies found a small increase in risk. It concluded any risk to women is likely to be small.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration commissioned research into a wide range of talc samples from 2009 to 2010, including of J&J’s Baby Powder. The agency said no asbestos was found in any of the talc samples.

More than 6,000 women who are suing Johnson & Johnson over their ovarian cancer do not agree talc is harmless. Although the $4.7 billion ruling made by a jury in Missouri in July was appealed by J&J, the lawsuits are still being filed.

Women who are suing J&J claim the company knew its talcum powder was contaminated with asbestos since the 1970s or even earlier, but failed to warn consumers about the risks.

Previous talc trials have produced verdicts up to $417 million against drug companies. However, a 2017 verdict by a California jury, as well as previous verdicts in Missouri, were overturned on appeal.

Contact a Virginia Injury Lawyer about Talcum Powder Linked to Ovarian Cancer

We know from experience that massive drug companies like Johnson & Johnson habitually put dangerous products on the market without adequate testing. Big pharma has been sued over a wide range of drugs, birth control devices, and medical devices that harmed patients and consumers.

If you believe your ovarian cancer was caused by exposure to talcum powder, please consult a Virginia injury lawyer as soon as possible to discuss your options.

The Smith Law Center has been helping injured people in Virginia and further afield since 1949. We are located in Hampton, Virginia. The lawyers at Smith Law Center are listed among the Best Lawyers in America and handle a wide range of personal injury cases, including dangerous drugs, trucking and car accidents, brain injuries, medical malpractice, wrongful death, and many other areas of the law. Please contact us at (757) 244-7000 for a free consultation.