Talcum powder appears to be an inoffensive and useful product. However, there are tens of thousands of talcum powder lawsuits across the US, claiming that this versatile hygiene product causes cancer.
In this article, an experienced mass tort lawyer at Rueb Stoller Daniel presents the most important facts about this lawsuit and the most recent developments.
What Is Talcum Powder and Why Is It Dangerous?
Talcum powder contains talc, one of the softest minerals on earth. However, as the Federal Drug Administration has warned for years, talc contains trace amounts of asbestos. This is also a natural mineral, which was heavily used in building insulations during the 1960s until it was proven to cause mesothelioma – one of the deadliest forms of cancer affecting the lungs.
Since talcum powder is not only used for babies but also women’s personal hygiene, a significant percentage of the US population was exposed to this substance. And constant exposure to talcum powder over the years is now linked by experts to ovarian and fallopian tube cancer.
Is Talc Found in Other Products for Human Use?
The FDA has started testing a larger range of products containing talcum for asbestos presence. At present, the federal agency has identified trace amounts of the dangerous mineral in:
- Face powder and blush
- Eye shadow
- Foot powder or sprays
- Concealer
- Foundation makeup
- Eyebrow pencils.
However, right now, the only eligible cases to join the multi-district litigation refer strictly to the use or exposure to talcum powder.
Who Are the Defendants in the Talcum Powder Lawsuit?
The biggest manufacturer of baby talcum powder on the US market is Johnson & Johnson. The corporation is named as the main defendant in more than 50,000 lawsuits across all US states. Other defendants are:
- Gold Bond
- Mennen
- Cashmere Bouquet (a brand owned by Colgate-Palmolive)
- Old Spice.
What Do Plaintiffs Claim?
The plaintiffs base their case on the defective product legal doctrine. As a mass tort lawyer knows, this means that a company markets an unsafe product, which has a design, manufacturing defect, or insufficient warnings.
In the case of talcum powder lawsuits, plaintiffs claim that the defendants knew that their product could cause cancer, but failed to warn its clients. Moreover, as medical studies started showing a direct link between talcum powder and cancer, the company continued to deny the claims and state that their product was safe.
Who Qualifies for a Talcum Powder Lawsuit?
The basic prerequisites for joining the talcum powder MDL are:
- You must be diagnosed with mesothelioma, ovarian cancer, or fallopian tube cancer.
- The cancer diagnosis should occur between the ages of 22 and 65.
- You must prove consistent exposure to talcum powder over several years.
Recent Developments in the Talcum Powder Lawsuit
The first talcum powder lawsuits started in 2016. Now, more than 7 years later, there are some significant updates that potential plaintiffs need to know. Here they are:
- July 2023 – Johnson & Johnson was ordered to pay $18.8 million to a 24-year-old mesothelioma patient in California who was exposed to talcum powder since childhood.
- July 2023 – Johnson & Johnson filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, but the motion was rejected by the court.
- December 2023 – Talcum powder litigations were allowed to resume and Johnson & Johnson settled a number of cases.
- January 2024 – Johnson & Johnson agreed to a $700 million settlement for cases in 40 US states filed on the grounds of concealing the risk of cancer. This settlement has no impact on the more than 50,000 cases consolidated into the talcum powder MDL.
Talk to a Mass Tort Lawyer About Joining the Talcum Powder Lawsuit!
If you believe that your cancer was caused by talcum powder, bring all your available evidence to an experienced mass tort lawyer at Rueb Stoller Daniel. We will examine the facts, ask questions about your medical history, and determine if you have a valid case.
Give yourself the best chance of winning the fair compensation you deserve for your financial losses and pain and suffering.
Call us today at 1-866-CALL-RSD to schedule a free case review!
