Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder linked to Ovarian Cancer

To-date, over 15,500 plaintiffs have filed lawsuits against Johnson & Johnson. And this number is only growing. Victims claim the company failed to warn consumers about a potential link between their talc baby powder and ovarian cancer. But Johnson & Johnson claims that their product is safe, and that science is on their side. So, who’s right? Even more pressing, what can you do if you believe this product has harmed you?

Johnson & Johnson’s Baby Powder: A Troubling History 

Johnson & Johnson introduced their baby powder to the market back in 1894. Marketing efforts highlighted the powder as a way to keep odors away and absorb moisture. From its inception, the association with babies has made consumers feel that the product is safe. The powder comes from crushed talc, a naturally occurring mineral. However, talc shares a close relationship with asbestos as the two minerals are often found together.

For decades, Johnson & Johnson was aware that samples of their talc products contained trace amounts of asbestos. In fact, reports revealed in 2018 show that the company was made aware of these negative findings as early as the late 1950s. Despite of learning about the connection, the company withheld the information from its customers, regulators, and stakeholders.

In 2006, the World Health Organization classified the powder as “possibly carcinogenic.” Today, manufacturers ship talc with labels warning of potential cancer risks. Unfortunately, Johnson & Johnson did not communicate this risk to consumers.

Johnson & Johnson Lawsuits 

Since the troubling information about talc products have been made known, thousands of lawsuits have been brought forward against Johnson & Johnson.

Here are some recent developments:

• September 2019. A New Jersey jury awarded a total of $37.3 million to four families that claimed Johnson & Johnson’s products caused their mesothelioma.
• July 2019. A criminal investigation has been launched by the federal government to determine if Johnson & Johnson lied to the public about cancer risks associated with its products.
• May 2018. A California jury awards $25.7 million to a woman diagnosed with mesothelioma. She had extensively used Johnson & Johnson’s products over the years.
• October 2016. A Missouri jury awarded $70 million to a woman diagnosed with ovarian cancer. The woman had used talcum powder for over 40 years for feminine use.
• February 2016. A woman’s family was awarded $72 million in a trial against Johnson & Johnson. The woman had passed away from ovarian cancer. She had used Johnson & Johnson’s talc-based Shower to Shower product for over 35 years.

There are ongoing developments to these lawsuits, and we expect there will be for years to come. In spite of this, Johnson & Johnson has continued to maintain the safety of their products and has fought back hard against the allegations and lawsuits.

However, the company has come under additional scrutiny in recent months. In addition to the talcum litigation, the company now faces lawsuits for its part in the opioid crisis.

Are You a Victim of Talcum Powder? 

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with ovarian cancer or mesothelioma and you suspect it’s the result of using talc-based products, we want to hear about it. Please call the Ladenburg Law Injury Attorneys. There is never a fee for a consultation, and if we’re able to help you, we’ll only charge a fee if we’re able to win a settlement.

Time is critical when it comes to filing a claim; please call us today.