The Dangers of Talcum Powder: Legal Implications Explored

For decades, women relied on baby powder containing talcum for personal hygiene. It was a convenient and affordable product, which helped them feel comfortable all day long. But in time these women developed life-threatening health conditions and talcum powder dangers started to be revealed in research studies.

If you developed a form of cancer after long-term use of talc powder, contact the mass tort lawyers at Rueb Stoller Daniel to learn if you have a valid claim. Our free consultation is the first step to getting justice in a talcum powder lawsuit.

You can learn the background of the ongoing legal battle in this article. We will explain why talcum powder is so dangerous and the health conditions it triggers.

Talcum Powder Dangers Originate in How It Occurs Naturally

Talcum powder is so cheap because it is very easy to manufacture. Talcum is a mineral that is very easy to extract and crush into a fine powder. Unfortunately, talcum deposits are naturally blended with asbestos.

Even the most advanced processes cannot fully remove asbestos from talcum. And, after years of using asbestos as insulating material for homes, it was found out that it can cause cancer. Thus, asbestos is now banned as construction material or for other uses.

However, talcum powder producers say nothing about the fact that the raw material they use contains traces of asbestos. And this is where the foundation of the mass tort lawsuits is found.

What Are the Talcum Powder Lawsuits About?

Women who developed ovarian cancer after using talcum powder as a personal hygiene product allege that the producer knew about the risks and failed to warn them. There is nothing on baby powder labels and in marketing materials or presentation leaflets indicating that long-term use of the product may cause cancer.

The producer, Johnson & Johnson, predictably contended that they were not aware of this risk. However, various clinical studies over the years pointed out the link between the use of talcum powder in the genital area and the onset of ovarian cancer.

Talcum Powder Lawsuit Concept, Baby Powder Container

A Recent Research Study Proves the Link Between Talcum and Ovarian Cancer

So far, both plaintiffs and mass tort lawyers had to rely on studies that suggested a cause-effect relationship between talcum powder and cancer. However, a very recent study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology clearly shows the dangers of talcum powder.

Researchers who studied cases of over 50,000 women managed to show that, when applied to the female genital area over a long period of time, talcum can travel to the ovaries. There, it causes inflammation, which is a known factor in transforming healthy cells into cancer cells.

Despite this breakthrough study, Johnson & Johnson (J&J), through its vice president of litigation, continues to claim that their product does not cause cancer. Yet, the same company has tried to settle cases on numerous occasions and now makes another attempt.

J&J Denies Liability but Offers over $6 Billion in Settlement

In the most recent development in the talcum powder lawsuits, the defendant Johnson & Johnson tries to settle all present and future lawsuits for a total amount of $6.48 billion. This may appear an impressive amount, but we are talking about nearly 54,000 lawsuits centralized in multidistrict litigation in a New Jersey federal court.

And there is still no knowing how many other women may have developed ovarian cancer or could develop it in the future as a result of talcum powder use. Thus, it is quite possible that, once again, a judge will strike down J&J’s attempt to close all cases and get a clean slate in terms of image and reputation.

Consult with a Mass Tort Lawyer About Joining the Pending Litigation!

If you used baby powder without being aware of talcum powder dangers and developed cancer, you may have the right to obtain compensation from the producer. Multi-billion dollar companies need to be held accountable if their products cause harm to the consumer.

This is exactly what our mass tort lawyers at Rueb Stoller Daniel are committed to achieving. We believe that justice is for all and that any corporation, no matter how big, must be held accountable for its negligence.

We encourage you to collect all available evidence about talcum powder use and your cancer diagnosis and schedule a free case review with us at 1-866-CALL-RSD!