For decades, talcum powder has been regarded as a commonplace personal hygiene product with many uses. Composed of the mineral talc ground into microscopically-small granules, the substance has been lauded for rash prevention and its moisture-absorbing abilities. However, time and time again studies have shown a strong connection between the use of talcum powder and the development of ovarian cancer, especially when mixed with asbestos, a known carcinogen. Multiple lawsuits have found that powder manufacturers neglected their duty to inform customers about the known health risks of using the products, thus causing thousands of ultimately preventable cases.
Women and the family members of women in Houston who have suffered from ovarian cancer and have a history of using the powder may be eligible to file a claim against Johnson & Johnson. The leading producer of talc-based body powders and fresheners, Johnson & Johnson has neglected to warn consumers of longstanding research linking the powder to ovarian cancer.
Johnson & Johnson Class Action Suits
Johnson & Johnson is one of the largest hygiene product manufacturers in the country. They are also one of the largest talcum powder producers and distributors. The company has also been one of the primary targets of a number of lawsuits, both individual and class-action, due to their negligence. Multiple suits have found that Johnson & Johnson should have known about the link between talcum powder and ovarian cancer, and yet for decades failed in their duty to properly inform consumers about this risk. To date, several of these suits have resulted in settlements or verdicts in excess of hundreds of millions of dollars.
The main ingredient in Johnson & Johnson’s baby powder and Shower to Shower products is talcum powder. Although Johnson & Johnson has been aware of the risks associated with talcum powder for decades, the general public has only just become aware of it. Talcum powder has been linked to endometrial, ovarian, and uterine cancer when used in the genital area. It has also been linked to respiratory cancers such as mesothelioma and Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC).
According to a wide range of sources, roughly 1,700 lawsuits have been filed against Johnson & Johnson for failing to acknowledge and address the links between ovarian cancer and Johnson & Johnson’s baby powder and Shower-to-Shower products, both of which contain talc powder.
Is Talcum Powder and Baby Powder the Same?
The terms “talcum powder” and “baby powder” are used interchangeably, but talcum powders are made with talc, a soft mineral that is ground up and used with other ingredients. Some baby powders are made with the powder, others use cornstarch as their base. Even baby powder is not harmless. In fact, since 1981, the American Academy of Pediatricians issued a warning against using baby powder on infants. The small particles in baby powder can cause serious lung damage if a baby inhales it.
In the last four decades, scientists and doctors have increasingly found that there is a link between the use of the powder products and ovarian cancer. The common thought is that because talcum powder is often used in a woman’s genital area for personal hygiene, the talcum powder ends up causing ovarian cancer when it travels inside the uterus, ovaries, and fallopian tubes. Studies have revealed that women who regularly use talcum powder products in the genital area are at an increased risk of developing ovarian cancer by as much as thirty percent.
Houston Attorneys Talcum Powder Cancer Lawsuits
Despite these studies, talcum powder products are still largely unregulated by the government and manufacturers of these products do not warn consumers of the potential link between the use of the products and ovarian cancer. If you believe that you have developed cancer from the use of a talc product, it is important that you consult with an experienced talcum powder lawyer right away. The knowledgeable and dedicated injury attorneys at McDonald Worley have already been hard at work investigating talcum powder cases nationwide, preparing talcum powder lawsuits, and are ready to help with your case today..
If you would like to speak with a member of our team about your case, do not wait to call us. We can provide you with a 100% free case evaluation where we can examine the details of your case and determine which legal strategies can best protect your future. If you think you have a case, now is the time to contact McDonald Worley for legal representation. If you believe that a manufacturer negligently failed to warn you, reach out to our firm right away.