Are There Dangers Associated with J & J’s Talc-Based Powder Products?

Most adults are familiar with Johnson & Johnson baby powder with talc—if not with the product itself, then with the familiar smell. J & J’s iconic product was first developed in the 1890s, and the product remained a strong seller for significantly longer than a century, making more than $400 million per year for J & J by 2018. In the 1930s, surgeons that dusted their surgical gloves with talcum powder prior to perform peritonitis surgeries later found that talc fibers left behind caused significant inflammation in the abdominal cavity and surrounding organs. Since inflammation is a contributing cause of many types of cancers, it is reasonable to assume that talc fibers can be a danger to human beings.   

By 1971, talc fibers were found embedded deeply within ovarian tumors removed from women who died from ovarian cancer. Once again, this news signaled that talc fibers could be dangerous to consumers, especially to women who used the powder for feminine hygiene purposes. Once this information became public, most other companies who used talc in their powder products switched to cornstarch, choosing to make the switch for the safety of their customers. While J & J also manufactured a baby powder with cornstarch, they continued not only to manufacture their baby powder with talc and Shower to Shower with talc, they also continued to maintain the products were perfectly safe.   

Where Does the Baby Powder Ovarian Cancer Litigation in Wichita, Kansas Stand?

The first lawsuit filed against the pharmaceutical giant by a woman claiming her ovarian cancer diagnosis was the result of using J & J’s talc-based products for feminine hygiene, was in 2009. Deane Berg was diagnosed with ovarian cancer at the very young age of 49. Berg told jurors she used J & J talc-based products on a daily basis between the ages of 16 and 48, meaning she applied talcum powder to the perineal region more than 11,000 times. Dr. Daniel Cramer, an expert in the field, stated that, in his opinion, “to a reasonable degree of medical and epidemiologic certainty, that chronic talc use was the major cause of her invasive serous ovarian cancer…”

A jury found in favor of Berg, however, awarded her no monetary compensation. Since that first trial, a number of other women have received sizeable awards following trials, with J & J appealing each one. In 2018, 22 women won a sizeable settlement, and although J & J appealed, in June 2020, a Missouri Appeals Court upheld the decision, although the punitive portion of the award was decreased. Currently, some 20,000 lawsuits are pending against J & J with claims of ovarian cancer resulting from the talc fibers. Many of these lawsuits were filed by women in the state of Kansas.

Has J & J Baby Powder with Talc Been Recalled in the U.S.?

Although the FDA has not mandated a recall for J & J’s talc-based products, the company announced in May 2020 that they would cease selling their talc-based products in the United States and Canada. At the same time, Johnson & Johnson continues to maintain their talc-based products are perfectly safe, stating the only reason they ceased production in the U.S. and Canada was that they had seen a decline in sales as a result of misinformation and a “constant barrage of litigation.” 

Have the Statutes of Limitations Passed for My Baby Powder Ovarian Cancer Case?

The statutes of limitations are laws that govern the amount of time a person has in which to file a product liability or personal injury claim. Each state sets its own statutes of limitations, and it is important to know that these statutes can be impacted by a number of issues. Because of this, it is smart to contact an experienced baby powder ovarian cancer lawyer who can assess the facts of your Wichita, Kansas claim.

How Could Consulting with a Wichita, Kansas Baby Powder Ovarian Cancer Lawyer Be Beneficial?

If you or a loved one received a diagnosis of ovarian cancer after using Johnson & Johnson talcum powder for feminine hygiene purposes, you may have a baby powder ovarian cancer lawsuit. It is important that you speak to a knowledgeable talcum powder ovarian cancer lawyer from Sullo & Sullo who can help you determine whether you could benefit from filing a lawsuit.