Talcum Powder Lawsuit

For decades, talcum powder has been a common household item across America. Many people use talcum powder products in cosmetic items, baby powders, and drying agents to reduce moisture and prevent rashes.

However, recent allegations against Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder and Shower to Shower Body Powder have shown that when people use talcum powder for a prolonged period, cancer may result–including ovarian cancer and lung cancer. Researchers have found traces of asbestos, a known carcinogen, in the talc used in Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder and other talc powder products, providing a link of powder to ovarian cancer.

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with lung cancer, ovarian cancer, or mesothelioma after using talcum powder, you may be eligible to receive compensation. Contact Drug Guardians today to schedule a free consultation.

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Talcum Powder Cancer Lawsuit

Numerous scientific studies about the use of talcum powder conducted since 1970 have shown that long-term talcum powder use, specifically by females to powder their genitals, can lead to an increased risk of developing ovarian cancer and mesothelioma. This claim first surfaced in the 1980s, when a study found traces of talc particles in a woman’s ovarian tumors.

Since then, additional research has continued to find links between talc powder use and the risk of developing ovarian cancer. Most of this ovarian cancer evidence points to the dangers of using talc powder or baby powder on the genitals, as a meta-analysis of dozens of studies conducted in 2018 has supported.

Other studies have shown evidence that many commercial talcum powders contain traces of asbestos, a mineral that has several side effects when inhaled, ingested, or absorbed into the body. Federal laws began regulating asbestos in the 1970s, but the damages from inhaling the substance can take years to develop. Mesothelioma and lung cancer are the most common diseases associated with inhaled asbestos exposure.

Over the last forty years, dozens of class-action lawsuits have sought compensation for the damages, side effects, and diseases that long-term talcum powder use has allegedly caused, including ovarian cancer and cancer in the lungs.

Johnson and Johnson Baby Powder Lawsuit

Johnson & Johnson is a multinational corporation that has been producing packaged consumer products since 1886. Today, it is one of the largest healthcare product companies in the world.

Many Americans recognize this company because of its wide selection of cosmetic baby products, such as Johnson’s Baby Powder, a product that parents used on babies’ bottoms for decades that women utilized daily as a cosmetic or body powder.

Johnson & Johnson introduced baby powder to its product line in 1884. The powder consisted of crushed talc, a soft mineral composed that absorbs moisture. The company promotes the product as a diaper rash solution, though many consumers also use it as a cleaning agent, dry shampoo, and deodorizer.

Research has shown that many talc sources, including Johnson & Johnson talc-based products, naturally contain traces of asbestos. Though Johnson & Johnson has always denied claims that its talcum powder products cause cancer, documents uncovered in 2017 reveal that the company has been aware of asbestos liabilities since as early as the 1970s.

Throughout the U.S., claimants have filed over 16,600 class action lawsuits against Johnson & Johnson over the past several decades. Most of them represent women who have developed ovarian cancer or mesothelioma after prolonged use of the company’s talc-based products. Research has identified a link between talcum powder and cancer, specifically ovarian cancer and mesothelioma.

Many claimants date their talcum powder use back to the 1970s or earlier, beginning when they were babies. Because the side effects of asbestos exposure can take decades to develop, these long-time users have started making claims against the powder in the past few years. Juries have begun holding Johnson & Johnson accountable for the traces of asbestos found in its products.

Aside from this Johnson and Johnson lawsuit, countless other claimants have sought punitive damages through a talcum powder multidistrict litigation.

What is Talcum Powder?

Talcum powder is a cosmetic powder made from finely ground talc, a mineral mainly composed of magnesium silicate and oxygen. Some evidence has suggested that magnesium silicate can cause cancer on its own, but these findings are not significant.

Talc powder absorbs moisture well and reduces friction, and many people apply it to their bodies to prevent rashes and keep their skin dry. For several decades, it was also the powder used in medical-grade powdered latex gloves.

Talcum powder is the main ingredient in most baby powders, body powders, and facial powders, though many other consumer products contain the substance. Many women have also utilized talc powder on their genitals for intimate personal hygiene.

Talcum Powder and Asbestos

The term asbestos refers to six silicate minerals often released into the atmosphere that can cause harmful effects when inhaled. Many talc sources naturally contain traces of asbestos, as miners often find the two minerals in the same geological locations.

Breathing in airborne asbestos particles can lead to the substance becoming trapped in your lungs. Over time, the asbestos will continue to build up, causing inflammation and scarring around your lung tissue.

Prolonged asbestos exposure is known to lead to diseases such as:

• Mesothelioma
• Lung cancer
• Ovarian cancer
• Laryngeal cancer
• COPD
• Asbestosis

In general, asbestos exposure can create the following symptoms:

• Shortness of breath
• Cough
• Chest pain

Federal and state laws restrict how much asbestos can be present in consumer products. However, many cosmetic products never undergo testing to determine the presence of asbestos in their ingredients, leaving consumers unaware of the damages that extended use of these products can create, such as ovarian cancer.

Products Containing Talc

Talc is an ingredient in dozens of consumer products across a range of categories.

Home Products

Talc is an ingredient in:

• Flea and tick dust
• Insecticides
• Filler putty
• Spray paints and primers
• Resin
• Caulk

Makeup

These makeup brands often release products containing talc:

• Maybelline
• Covergirl
• Avon
• Almay
• Revlon
• L’Oréal

Baby Powder & Body Powder

Several baby powder products contain talc:

• Johnson’s Baby Powder
• Shower to Shower Body Powder
• Gold Bond Body Powder
• Estee Lauder Body Powder
• Nivea Pure Talc

Pharmaceuticals

These drugs contain traces of talc particles:

• Acetaminophen
• Ibuprofen
• Amoxicillin
• Tramadol
• Amphetamine
• Ciprofloxacin
• Gabapentin

Talcum Powder and the Food and Drug Administration

Cosmetic products typically do not need to undergo approval by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) before entering the market. However, the FDA does monitor the safety problems of cosmetic products on the market and takes action after significant evidence suggests potential risks. The administration now tests talc-based products for asbestos regularly.

In October 2019, the FDA tested a sample of Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder and found traces of asbestos in the product. The administration advised consumers not to use the products from this lot, and Johnson & Johnson recalled the batch shortly after the news hit the media.

The FDA continues to monitor the presence of asbestos in talc-based products and update its procedures to address safety concerns from consumers.

Talcum Powder & Ovarian Cancer

Several studies have identified a link between talcum powder use and the risk of developing ovarian cancer. Specifically, women who use talc-based baby powder in their genital area have a higher risk of ovarian cancer than those who do not.

Around 1 in 75 women develop ovarian cancer in their lifetimes, which equates to just over 1% of the female population. However, women who have used talcum powder throughout their lives have a 30% increased risk of developing ovarian cancer.

Evidence to support the risk of developing ovarian cancer after using talc-based powder comes from case-control studies.

In these studies, researchers recruited two groups of women—one group diagnosed with ovarian cancer and one group who had not been diagnosed with ovarian cancer—and asked them to recall their use of talcum powder. Most of the women surveyed were able to accurately remember whether they had used talcum powder in the genital area.

The consistent results of these case-control studies show a significant correlation between the use of talcum powder and ovarian cancer. As a result of these findings, the World Health Organization (WHO) concluded that talc use increases the chance of being diagnosed with ovarian cancer.

The risk of ovarian cancer after using talcum powder increases with the frequency of use. Women who only use the product once or twice have a similar risk of ovarian cancer to those who do not use it at all. Similarly, women who have used talcum powder in their genital area have a higher risk of ovarian cancer than those who use it in other locations of their bodies.

In summary, talcum powder and ovarian cancer have a strong correlation. Although this evidence cannot conclusively point to causation, it does suggest a ground-breaking link between the powder and ovarian cancer. As a result, talcum powder ovarian cancer lawsuits are on the rise. If you or a loved one has developed ovarian cancer after long-term talcum powder use, contact Drug Guardians today.

How Does Talcum Powder Cause Ovarian Cancer?

Researchers have identified several reasons why women have developed ovarian cancer after using talc-based baby powder.

Asbestos

The presence of asbestos in talcum powders is the leading reason many women have developed ovarian cancer after using talcum powder. This connection may be due to the inflammatory and invasive nature of the substance. Women who use asbestos-containing talcum powder around their genital area create the risk of the powder entering their vagina, fallopian tubes, and uterus. If asbestos builds up in these areas, it can develop cancerous tumors related to ovarian cancer.

When women use talc powder containing identified traces of asbestos, their ovarian cancer risk increases compared to those who use other kinds of powder, or no powder.

Estrogen

The presence of estrogen in women’s bodies also links talcum powder to ovarian cancer. One study found that women who had undergone a sterilization procedure before menopause had a higher risk of developing ovarian cancer with talc powder use than those who had not.

The reasoning behind this finding points to the idea that sterile women have less estrogen in their bodies than other women. The presence of estrogen may make women less vulnerable to the harmful effects of talc powder.

Inflammation

The inflammation that results from talcum powder use can also cause ovarian cancer.

When women use talc-based baby powder around their genital area, their bodies can absorb the powder into the vagina and the ovaries, causing ovarian inflammation that can sometimes lead to ovarian cancer.

Further evidence is necessary to determine whether talc-based products that do not contain asbestos are also carcinogenic.

Symptoms of Ovarian Cancer

Women diagnosed with ovarian cancer may display several symptoms:

• Vaginal bleeding
• Pain in the pelvic area, back, and/or abdomen
• Bloating
• Change in bathroom habits
• Change in eating habits

Experiencing any of these symptoms for two weeks or longer may indicate the formation of ovarian cancer.

Talcum Powder and Mesothelioma

Inhaling or ingesting talc is one of the leading causes of mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma is a tumor that forms in the tissue lining of the lungs, stomach, heart, or other major organs. Cancerous, or malignant, mesothelioma is the most common form of this tumor, which is often deadly.

The most common type of mesothelioma associated with talcum powder is pleural mesothelioma, which affects the tissue lining of the lungs.

Researchers have found evidence to support the hypothesis that talc powder exposure has a causative effect on mesothelioma. This research began with a study of talc miners in New York–men and women who had spent decades working in the mines had a higher risk of developing mesothelioma than a control group. Identifying this correlation led researchers to test talc particles for asbestos and determine that the presence of asbestos increases the risk of mesothelioma.

Talc miners are not the only people who have developed mesothelioma from talc exposure. At least a dozen women diagnosed with mesothelioma in the past few years have identified talc as their only known exposure to asbestos.

Scientific studies have traced the presence of asbestos throughout the talc powder production process. Researchers have found asbestos in the talc mines, milled grades, and in the finished talc products. Utilizing talc-based baby powder or other body powders increases the risk of asbestos exposure and, therefore, the mesothelioma risk.

Today, asbestos exposure is the leading cause of mesothelioma.

How Does Talcum Powder Cause Mesothelioma?

Current evidence indicates that pure talc does not cause mesothelioma. However, talc powder often contains contaminant traces of asbestos, and it is the asbestos that causes this cancer.

When people undergo prolonged exposure to asbestos dust, the substance enters their mouth and nose and settles in their lungs. Asbestos exposure can occur while inhaling airborne particles during the mining process, while removing insulation, or through external talc powder use.

Asbestos builds up in the lungs over time and irritates the tissue lining, leading to mesothelioma. The mesothelioma can also spread to other organs as the disease progresses.

Medical professionals are still attempting to understand the exact developmental process of mesothelioma. It often takes between 20 and 60 years for mesothelioma to appear after regular asbestos exposure. Evidence has shown that talc miners may not begin experiencing mesothelioma symptoms until decades after they retire. However, the link between asbestos and this cancer is clear.

Symptoms of Mesothelioma

Pleural mesothelioma patients often present the following symptoms:

• Cough
• Chest pain
• Shortness of breath
• Unexplained weight loss
• Lumps under the skin around the chest
• Fluid in the chest
• Difficulty swallowing

If you or a loved one has experienced any of these symptoms after talc use, contact a doctor immediately. You may be able to link your symptoms to talc use and thus be eligible for compensation.

Talcum Powder and Lung Cancer

Lung cancer, also known as lung carcinoma, is another disease that can result from talc use. Though studies have yet to link cosmetic talc powder with this cancer, evidence shows that talc miners may have a higher risk of developing it due to their industrial-grade talc exposure.

Asbestos is a known causative of lung carcinoma. People who have used or inhaled talc products containing traces of the substance are at a higher risk of developing this cancer. However, this cancer more often results from asbestos exposure from home insulation materials than from asbestos-containing talc powder.

Although lung carcinoma and mesothelioma target similar body organs, they are two distinct forms of cancers. Lung carcinoma develops in the lungs, whereas mesothelioma develops as a tumor in the tissue lining of the lungs and diaphragm. Mesothelioma is a more common result of asbestos exposure than is lung carcinoma.

Overall, a person faces some risk of developing lung carcinoma after extended talc powder use.

Symptoms of Lung Cancer

Lung carcinoma patients experience a range of symptoms, including:

• Lingering cough
• Wheezing
• Coughing up blood
• Chest or rib pain
• Shortness of breath
• Lethargy
• Unexplainable weight loss

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with lung carcinoma and has a known history of asbestos exposure through talcum powder, be sure to contact Drug Guardians today.

Talcum Powder Lawsuit Settlement Amounts

Over 20,000 talcum powder lawsuits are currently pending in federal courts, most of which target talc powder manufacturers. U.S. District Judge Freda L. Wolfson of the District of New Jersey is hearing these talc lawsuits.

In the past decade, dozens of claimants have won class action ovarian cancer lawsuits and mesothelioma lawsuits against corporations like Johnson & Johnson. These lawsuits have resulted in million-dollar settlements for the plaintiffs.

In 2016, Gloria Ristesund filed a talcum powder lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson. She had used Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder for most of her life and had since been diagnosed with ovarian cancer. In May of that year, the jury awarded her $55 million in punitive damages.

In November of 2016, Deborah Giannecchini filed a talcum powder case as well. The California woman had used talcum powder and other talc products for over 40 years and was currently receiving chemotherapy for ovarian cancer. The jury awarded Deborah Giannecchini a $70-million settlement.

Eva Echevarria, another client, filed a talc lawsuit in August of 2017. At the time, she was undergoing treatment for stage 4 ovarian cancer after using baby powder daily since the 1950s. The jury awarded Echevarria a $417-million settlement.

In 2018, New Jersey resident Stephen Lanzo filed a lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson, claiming that his frequent talc powder use since 1972 had led him to develop mesothelioma. The jury awarded Lanzo and his wife $37 million in compensation.

In March of 2019, a California woman filed a talcum powder cancer lawsuit after being diagnosed with mesothelioma. The jury decided that Teresa Leavitt’s cancer resulted from using Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder and awarded her $30 million.

If you decide to file a body powder lawsuit, talcum powder lawsuit, or other talc exposure case, the amount of the jury award you might receive will vary. Hiring a competent law firm like Drug Guardians is the best way to secure the maximum settlement. Please contact Drug Guardians today to schedule a consultation.

Who Can Qualify for a Talcum Powder Lawsuit?

To qualify for a talcum powder case, a client must present sufficient evidence to show they have developed a medical condition due to their talc powder usage. In general, a client must meet the following criteria:

• Must have used talc powder or baby powder for at least four years in the same general area. (For a Johnson & Johnson case, a client must show that they used Johnson & Johnson products like Baby Powder and Shower to Shower Talcum Powder).
• Must have a diagnosis of ovarian cancer, mesothelioma, or lung cancer. (Lung cancer diagnoses offer a weaker link to talc powder than do other two cancer diagnoses).
• Must have been diagnosed with one of these types of cancer in 2009 or later
• Must have used talc products before going through menopause

An experienced legal team like Drug Guardians can help you gather sufficient evidence to support your talc case and present it to the jury accurately and convincingly.

How to File a Baby Powder Lawsuit / Talcum Powder Lawsuit

Before you file a talc powder lawsuit, you need to be confident that you can navigate the legal process as well as the demands of the law firm representing the opposing side. Hiring a professional talcum powder lawyer will significantly ease the legal burden you will face throughout the case proceedings.

If Drug Guardians agrees to take your case, we will walk you through the following steps to file a lawsuit:

1. Determine who you are suing. Most talcum powder lawsuits target a specific manufacturer, such as Johnson & Johnson. Johnson & Johnson cases are the most common because researchers have found significant evidence that its talcum products contain asbestos. If you would like to sue another company, you will need to prove that its products have caused you harm.
2. Gather evidence. Evidence for your case may take the form of medical records, receipts, photos, and personal testimonies.
3. Determine how much compensation you seek. Our team will help you calculate the settlement amount to seek from the opposing party based on your level of damages and legal fees.
4. Create a demand letter. Our talcum powder lawsuit attorneys will craft a demand letter to present to the corporation detailing our claims.
5. Complete court forms. The final step in jumpstarting the legal process is to complete court forms. These forms will get your case on the court docket and set a date for the initial hearings.

Our Drug Guardians team of talcum powder lawyers possesses the expertise and experience necessary to guide you through each step of the litigation process and help you settle your case.

Hiring a Talcum Powder Lawyer

Attempting to win a case against a major corporation like Johnson & Johnson on your own is nearly impossible. To improve your odds of receiving a sufficient settlement amount, you should hire a competent attorney from a law team such as Drug Guardians.

We believe that consumers should be able to trust the healthcare products they use to keep them safe. When consumers suffer due to the negligence of major healthcare corporations, our team will do everything we can to help them seek compensation.

Drug Guardians will help you gather the necessary evidence, present your claim in court, and stand behind you throughout the process. Our decades of experience in drug settlement cases allow us to confidently guide our clients throughout the legal process. The dozens of cases we have won for our clients demonstrate the hard work and passion that we put into each of our lawsuits.

If you would like to file a claim against Johnson & Johnson as part of its current MDL or bring a case against a different talcum powder company, we may be able to help. Please contact Drug Guardians today to schedule a free consultation.

Talcum Powder Lawyer Fees

At Drug Guardians, we do not make our clients pay unless we can help them secure compensation. If you win your case, our legal fees will come out of your settlement, so you will never need to pay out of pocket.

Our lawyer fees vary depending on the settlement amount, the type of drug settlement case, and several other factors. Our team charges reasonably, and we only pick up cases that we think we can win.

You can find a detailed summary of the fees on our website. Remember, your payment will come out of the compensation we’re able to win for you from the talcum powder manufacturer.