TALCUM POWDER LAWSUIT
Since 1971, more than 20 studies have linked talc powder to ovarian cancer. In 2003, an analysis of 16 of these studies found that women using talcum powder were 33% more likely to develop ovarian cancer.
Our attorneys are pursuing lawsuits on behalf of women who developed ovarian cancer after using talcum powder for feminine hygiene.
Johnson & Johnson, producer of popular talc-based powders like Baby Powder and Shower-to-Shower, allegedly knew about the ovarian cancer risk since at least 1982, but failed to warn consumers of the dangers. As a result, thousands of women have filed talc lawsuits against Johnson & Johnson.
One woman, Lois Slemp of Virginia, was awarded $110 million by a St. Louis jury, which found J&J liable for Ms. Slemp’s ovarian cancer. Other talc awards have totaled $70 million and $55 million.
If you or someone you know developed ovarian cancer after using talcum or baby powder, our attorneys would like to speak with you. For more information, contact us today for a free, no-obligation legal consultation.
WHAT ARE SOME COMMON TALC PRODUCTS AND USES?
Talc, the softest mineral known to man, has been the main component of baby powder and other cosmetic products for decades. Talcum powder reduces friction and absorbs moisture. Combined with its natural softness, these traits make it an ideal component in facial and body powders.
Most famously, talc is the main ingredient in Johnson & Johnson’s iconic Johnson’s Baby Powder. Many women use the baby powder on their genitals for feminine hygiene, which some studies have shown to increase the risk of ovarian cancer.
WHAT ARE THE POTENTIAL SIDE EFFECTS FROM USING TALC?
Ovarian cancer. For decades, researchers have noted the potential link between talcum powder and ovarian cancer. It is believed that talc powder, when used near the genitals, can travel to the ovaries and become embedded in the tissue.
Researchers found that women using talcum powder during ovulation were 92% more likely to develop ovarian cancer.
Though talc is a natural mineral, it is very difficult for the body to remove the particles. As a result, inflammation may occur and cancerous tumors may then form. Similarly, when inhaled, talcum powder has been shown to increase the risk of lung cancer.
As early as 1971, a study in the medical journal The Lancet found that a majority of ovarian tumors had talc particles “deeply embedded” in them. In 1982, researchers found that women using talcum powder during ovulation were 92% more likely to develop ovarian cancer.
Over the next 30 years, an additional 21 studies were performed on talc powder: almost all of these studies found that women who used these products near their genitals were at an increased risk for developing ovarian cancer.
To date, both the National Cancer Institute and the American Cancer Society consider talc use near the genitals a “risk factor” for ovarian cancer.
DO TALCUM POWDERS WARN CONSUMERS ABOUT THE POTENTIAL HEALTH RISKS?
No. Despite mounting research that talc-based powders may increase the chance of developing ovarian cancer, Johnson & Johnson and other manufacturers have not placed warnings about this risk on their products.
WHICH PRODUCTS OR COMPANIES ARE SUBJECT TO LITIGATION?
Any manufacturer of talc-based products that have contributed to a woman developing ovarian cancer may be held liable through a lawsuit. Thousands of suits have been filed against Johnson & Johnson for failing to warn women of the risk of developing ovarian cancer from using its popular baby powder in the pelvic area. One such case (Jacqueline Fox; see below) resulted in monetary awards of $72 million.
WHO HAS FILED LAWSUITS AGAINST JOHNSON & JOHNSON?
Here are some of the most notable talc lawsuits filed against Johnson & Johnson:
Deane Berg v. Johnson & Johnson et al. (2013)
In 2013, a physician’s assistant named Deane Berg sued Johnson & Johnson after contracting ovarian cancer she says developed from her regular baby powder use. Ms. Berg turned down a $1.3 million settlement and took the case to court, where Johnson & Johnson was found guilty of negligence, fraud, and conspiracy for not warning women of its products’ health risks.
Mona Estrada v. Johnson & Johnson et al. (2014)
In April 2014, a California woman named Mona Estrada filed suit against Johnson & Johnson for failing to warn women of the increased risks of ovarian cancer.
The complaint stated, “As a result of the defendants’ misrepresentations and omissions, plaintiff and the proposed class have purchased a product which is potentially lethal.”
Ms. Estrada has not suffered any personal injury, but says she would not have regularly bought Johnson’s Baby Powder for the past 60+ years had she known of the adverse health effects.
Barbara Mihalich v. Johnson & Johnson et al. (2014)
The next month, Barbara Mihalich of Illinois filed a class action suit alleging that Johnson & Johnson utilized deceptive business practices and profited unjustly from its talc products.
Neither Ms. Estrada nor Ms. Mihalich suffers from ovarian cancer or any other talc-related side effects, but say they suffered economic injury from purchasing Johnson & Johnson’s unsafe products over many years.
Gloria Ristesund v. Johnson & Johnson et al. (2015)
In May 2016, a Missouri jury found in favor of Gloria Ristesund, who contracted ovarian cancer after using Johnson’s Baby Powder and Shower to Shower Powder on her pelvic area for decades. (As a result, Ms. Ristesund had to have a hysterectomy and other surgeries.) The jury awarded Ms. Ristesund $55 million: $50 million for punitive damages, and $5 million for compensatory damages.
While Ms. Ristesund’s attorney said Johnson & Johnson should settle its remaining lawsuits, the company vowed to appeal this decision as well.
Deborah Giannecchini v. Johnson & Johnson (2016)
In October 2016, a St. Louis jury awarded $70 million to Deborah Giannecchini of Modesto, CA. Ms. Giannecchini developed ovarian cancer in 2012 after many years of using Johnson’s Baby Powder.
The plaintiff’s attorney, Jim Onder, said that by issuing this verdict, the jury “once again reaffirmed the need for Johnson & Johnson to warn the public of the ovarian cancer risk associated with its product.”
But Johnson & Johnson once again vowed to appeal, “because we are guided by the science, which supports the safety of Johnson’s Baby Powder.”
Lois Slemp v. Johnson & Johnson (2017)
In May 2017, a St. Louis jury awarded a staggering $110 million to Lois Slemp (62) of Wise, Virginia. Ms. Slemp alleged that her regular use of Johnson’s Baby Powder and Shower-to-Shower products over a 40-year span caused her to develop ovarian cancer, which then spread to her liver. Ms. Slemp also alleged that Johnson’s Baby Powder contained asbestos, which the company denied.
The jury emphatically sided with Ms. Slemp. Of the $110 million award, $105 million were were punitive damages.
Ms. Slemp’s attorney, Ted Meadows, said, “Once again we’ve shown that these companies ignored the scientific evidence and continue to deny their responsibilities to the women of America. They chose to put profits over people, spending millions in efforts to manipulate scientific and regulatory scrutiny.”
Johnson & Johnson vowed to appeal the verdict.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR A LAWSUIT?
If you or a loved one has contracted ovarian cancer after using talc-based products in the genital area, you may be entitled to compensation for some combination of the following:
- Pain and suffering
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Funeral expenses (in the case of a loved one’s death)
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
We abide by the contingency fee contract, which means that we will only collect a fee if the case is successful. We accept a fixed percentage (typically one-third) of the recovery.
WHAT SHOULD I LOOK FOR IN AN ATTORNEY?
Experience, ethics, and grit. Our firm’s motto is “For the People” because we represent regular Americans who want to hold large companies accountable.
We are trial lawyers who are not afraid to go up against big corporations, and we have the track record to prove it—we are one of the few with the resources to take on Johnson & Johnson and other companies of its stature.
WHAT IS THE FIRST STEP IN PURSUING A LAWSUIT?
Contact us immediately for a free case review. These lawsuits are time-sensitive, so it is crucial that you reach out to us as soon as possible to determine if you are eligible for compensation.
Do I have a Talcum Powder Mesothelioma Lawsuit?
Preston Law is currently accepting Cashmere Bouquet induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Product Liability Litigation Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at 1-866-953-6736.
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