What are the Dangers Associated with Talcum Powder?

Many people have heard the news regarding the lawsuits against Johnson & Johnson over baby powder ovarian cancer. It may seem hard to believe that baby powder—particularly J & J baby powder with the silky feel and iconic smell—could be harmful? Yet, when used by women for feminine hygiene purposes, a significant body of research shows that talc-based products, when used in the perineal region, can substantially increase the risk of ovarian cancer. While J & J’s baby powder with talc was developed in the 1890s, it was not until the 1930s that the first whispers of harm were heard.

Surgeons who used talcum powder on their surgical gloves ended up with patients with inflammation of the abdominal organs following peritonitis surgery. Today, we know that inflammation can be one of the many causes of cancer. By the 1970s, scientists discovered talc fibers embedded in ovarian and cervical tumors removed from women who had died of cervical or ovarian cancers. It was theorized at this time, that women who used baby powder for the purpose of feminine hygiene could end up with ovarian cancer as the microscopic talc fibers migrated through the reproductive system to embed in the ovaries.

More research in the 1980s and 1990s found that women who used talcum powder for feminine hygiene purposes had nearly twice the risk of developing ovarian cancer and that women who applied talcum powder to their sanitary napkins significantly increased their risk of developing ovarian cancer. While most other manufacturers of talcum powder switched to using cornstarch as a safe alternative to talc, Johnson & Johnson continued to manufacture Shower to Shower with talc, and baby powder with talc.

Where Does the Baby Powder Ovarian Cancer Litigation in Newark, New Jersey Stand?

Currently, there are approximately 20,000 lawsuits against J & J from women across the United States—including New Jersey—who developed baby powder ovarian cancer after using J & J’s talc-based products for a significant length of time. The first lawsuit against the pharmaceutical giant was filed in 2009. Since that time, many baby powder ovarian cancer lawsuits have been heard, with a number of those being decided in favor of the plaintiffs. In fact, one settlement in 2018, which included 22 women, was decided in favor of the women with an enormous settlement amount.

J & J has appealed every decision that was not in their favor, however, in June 2020, a Missouri Appeals Court upheld the award for the 22 women, although the punitive portion was decreased. J & J has vowed to appeal the case to the Supreme Court. If you are a Newark, New Jersey woman who has been diagnosed with ovarian cancer after using J & J’s talc-based products, you might consider filing a baby powder ovarian cancer lawsuit to recover damages for your injuries. Dr. Daniel Cramer, an expert on the subject, estimates that when talcum powder is used in the perineal area on a regular basis, as many as 10,000 women could die each year from ovarian cancer.

Has Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder with Talc Been Recalled in the United States?

Although the FDA has declined to recall talc-based products, Johnson & Johnson recently announced they would discontinue the manufacturing of their talc-based products in the United States and Canada. Despite this move, J & J still makes no admission of guilt, maintaining their talc-based products are safe and attributing the move to the many lawsuits they have faced which have resulted in a drop in sales.

Have the Newark, New Jersey Statutes of Limitations Passed for Your Baby Powder Ovarian Cancer Claim?

The statutes of limitations are laws that govern the amount of time a person harmed by a dangerous or defective product has to bring a claim for damages. Although each state sets its own statutes of limitations—which can vary from one year to more than ten years—these statutes can be affected by a number of issues. This makes it vitally important that you speak to a qualified baby powder ovarian cancer lawyer who can correctly interpret the statutes on your behalf.

How Could Consulting with a Newark, New Jersey Baby Powder Ovarian Cancer Lawyer Be Beneficial?

An experienced, highly skilled talcum powder ovarian cancer attorney can comprehensively assess the facts of your potential claim, answer your questions, then help you determine whether a baby powder ovarian cancer lawsuit is right for you. If you have used Johnson & Johnson talc-based products for a significant length of time and have been diagnosed with ovarian cancer, you could potentially benefit from speaking to a Houston Sullo & Sullo attorney.