Talcum Powder Lawsuit Attorneys

Helping Those Diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer

If you or someone you love developed cancer after using talcum powder, you may have the right to seek compensation. Since 1999, the American Cancer Society has maintained that talc could lead to serious illness.

Today, studies show women who used talc powder are one-third more likely to develop:

• Ovarian cancer
• Fallopian tube cancer
• Uterine cancer
• Endometrial cancer
• Cervical cancer
• Vaginal/vulvar cancer
• Mesothelioma

If you’ve been affected, do not hesitate to contact our talcum powder lawyers at (888) 493-1629 for a free consultation. You can also visit our ovarian cancer website to find out in just 60 seconds whether you have a claim.

Talcum Powder Brands You Should Know About

Our team is ready to investigate potential talcum powder cases connected to leading brands or any other talcum powder manufacturer. We're equipped to handle cases involving products such as the following:

• Johnson's® Baby Powder
• Clubman Pinaud Powder
• Nivea Pure Talc
• McKesson Baby Powder
• Gold Bond Medicated Powder
• Shower to Shower

Ovarian Cancer Cases Linked to the Use of Talcum Powder

Studies show talcum powder is linked to ovarian cancer, which thousands of women suffer from every single year.

The devastating link was first discovered in the early 1970s. 

Various research and tests suggested talc particles would enter through the vaginal opening, move into the uterus and cervix, and continue migrating through the fallopian tubes until they reached the ovaries. After performing in-depth investigations, researchers found talcum powder particles in the ovarian tissues of multiple women.

Years later, a professor at Harvard University who also served as a doctor at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, conducted and published a study that stated women increased their chances of developing ovarian cancer by three times when using talc powder products near the genitals. Since then, additional research has been conducted, many of which suggest a significant increase in risks for ovarian cancer occurrences among talc powder users. Still, Johnson & Johnson, along with many other companies, continue to oppose any proof and research. Consequently, many of these products continue to remain on store shelves—many of which are also left without restrictions or warnings.

Talcum Powder & Ovarian Cancer

Talcum is primarily made using oxygen, silicon, and magnesium. Once combined, this is ground into a powder and is often used to absorb moisture and reduce uncomfortable amounts of friction. As a result, many people use this product to prevent rashes and to keep specific areas of the body dry. While this product can be useful for such reasons, this product can become extremely dangerous and, in the worst cases, fatal if the product is used near the genitals. Research has shown that these harmful agents can become trapped in the ovaries, resulting in serious inflammation, which can contribute to the growth of ovarian cancer cells.

According to the Cancer Prevention Research Journal, when using a talc-based powder on or near the genitals, a woman increases her chances of ovarian cancer by 41%.

According to the Mayo Clinic, symptoms of ovarian cancer include the following:

• Abdominal bloating or swelling
• Quickly feeling full when eating
• Weight loss
• Pelvic discomfort
• Constipation and bowel movement changes
• Frequent urination

There are three main types of ovarian cancer. Epithelial tumors in ovaries begin in the thin layer of tissue that covers them. Stromal tumors begin in the ovarian tissue that produces hormones and can be diagnosed early. Germ cell tumors are the rarest type of ovarian cancer. They occur in younger women and develop in egg-producing cells. If you’re experiencing any symptom that concerns you, it’s important to speak with a doctor as soon as possible. This is especially true if your family has a history of cancer and you’ve used talcum-based products in the past.

Research Links Talc Powder to Cancer

As mentioned above, researchers have linked talc powder usage to as much as a 41% higher risk of ovarian cancer in women. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), only 3 percent of female cancer cases are ovarian cancer, making it a rare occurrence. This makes findings that women who have used talc powders to be at a higher risk of ovarian cancer incredibly significant. While ovarian cancer is rare, women who’ve used talc-containing baby powder seem to suffer from it at increased rates.

The exact mechanism by which talc powder causes cancer remains under review. Some researchers believe that powder can enter through the vagina and make its way to the ovaries and this is enough to cause cancer in them. In 2019, a research team from the Karmanos Cancer Center in Detroit might have confirmed this theory. The team found that the presence of talc powder in ovaries was enough to trigger mutations in specific genes, causing ovarian cancer. Notably, the team also identified that the powder has the same effect on cells in the fallopian tubes. In other words, ovarian cancer might start as cells make their way through the fallopian tubes.

The History of Talcum Powder Lawsuits

Thousands and thousands of lawsuits have been filed against Johnson & Johnson for failing to acknowledge and address the links between ovarian cancer and baby powder and Shower to Shower products, both of which contain talc powder. Additionally, most claims report that Johnson & Johnson also failed to provide an adequate warning regarding the dangers of using their products.

In one case, a woman used Johnson & Johnson’s baby powder for more than 40 years until diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Medical records and evidence suggest that she now faces an 80% chance of dying in the next two years.

When her case concluded, Johnson & Johnson was ordered to pay $2,500,000 for medical expenses and pain and suffering costs as well as an additional $65,000,000 in punitive damages. Additionally, Imerys Talc America, the talc supplier, was ordered to pay $2,500,000 in exemplary damages. After three hours of deliberation, the verdict was returned, and the woman was awarded more than $70,000,000.

Does Talcum Powder Have Asbestos?

A report from Reuters published in December of 2018 revealed that Johnson & Johnson was aware that their talc powder contained asbestos for decades. Asbestos is a known carcinogen that causes mesothelioma, a cancer that is linked exclusively to the inhalation of the substance. This situation is another example of Johnson & Johnson defending the safety of talc powder while ignoring dangers associated with it. 

The World Health Organization and other health agencies recognize no safe level of exposure to asbestos.

The report found evidence that Johnson & Johnson didn’t inform the FDA that at least three lab tests from different labs discovered asbestos in its talc. One of the labs described the asbestos level that it found as “rather high.” According to internal memos, talc was found in talc products between 1971 and the early 2000s. Company officials wondered what to do about this discovery while failing to inform the public and regulators about it. This means that talc products made by Johnson & Johnson contained asbestos for decades—even while the company insisted that its products were safe as lawsuits piled up about them.

Johnson & Johnson Stopped Talcum Powder Sales in May of 2020

In May 2020, Johnson & Johnson stopped selling the product that it defended the safety of for decades. The company claimed that the halt in sales was multifaceted. First, it blamed the a decrease in demand for talcum powder in the United States. Second, it blamed the COVID-19 crisis for forcing them to focus on more essential products. Finally, it blamed the lawsuits that had been filed against the company for continuing to sell the product despite warnings from researchers. So, after over 100 years, Johnson & Johnson stopped selling one of its flagship products in the United States. In its announcement, the company continued to defend its belief that talcum powder is safe for women.

At Arnold & Itkin, Clients Come First. No Matter What.

If you or a loved one has developed ovarian cancer and believe talc powders may have contributed to the development of your condition, it is urgent that you get in touch with our talcum powder attorneys right away. Our team has the skill and knowledge to fight for your rights. Backed by hundreds of victories worth more than $1 million, we know what it takes to fight for the outcome you deserve.

More reasons to work with our baby powder lawyers:

• We’ve won billions of dollars for clients.
• We’re one of the most trusted firms in the nation.
• You can talk to us about your case for free.
• You don’t pay us unless we win your case.

If you would like to speak with our team about your case, do not wait to call us. We can provide you with a free case evaluation where we can examine the details of your case and determine which legal strategies can best protect your future. In every case, we work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you do not pay a single penny unless we win. If you think you have a claim, now is the time to reach out to a legal representative. If you believe that a manufacturer negligently failed to warn you, get in touch now.

Take the first step toward the compensation you deserve. Call (888) 493-1629.