Dangers Associated with Johnson & Johnson’s Baby Powder with Talc

By now, most people have heard about the lawsuits stacking up against Johnson & Johnson as a result of their talc-based products, including the iconic baby powder with talc and Shower to Shower with talc. Johnson’s baby powder with talc was manufactured in the 1890s, yet by the 70s, researchers found talc fibers embedded in the ovarian tumors removed from women who had died of ovarian cancer. Despite this, J & J continued to maintain their talc-based products were perfectly safe, even though many other manufacturers of powder switched to cornstarch—a much safer alternative.

Harvard researchers found that women who regularly used talcum powder for feminine hygiene purposes had twice the risk of developing ovarian cancer in the 1980s. By 2009, the first baby powder ovarian cancer lawsuit against J & J was filed; later, lawsuits were filed that claimed asbestos fibers had been found in the talc products. Since there is no safe level of asbestos, this was yet another cause for concern regarding talc-based powders.  

Where Does the Baby Powder Ovarian Cancer Litigation in Bridgeport, Connecticut Stand?

After the first lawsuit, filed by Deane Berg, was decided in favor of the plaintiff, many more lawsuits against Johnson & Johnson were heard. While J & J was successful in a few of the lawsuits, they lost more. Although there were some significant monetary awards to plaintiffs, Johnson & Johnson appealed all these decisions. Very recently, a Missouri Appeals Court upheld the original decision which awarded 22 women compensatory damages in addition to a substantial punitive award. Johnson & Johnson says they will appeal the decision to the Supreme Court.

While the FDA has not required J & J to recall their talc-based product, J & J pulled their iconic baby powder with talc from United States and Canadian markets this May. Johnson & Johnson spokesperson stated the talcum powder was not pulled because of any safety concerns, rather because sales were down as a result of the publicity associated with the baby powder ovarian cancer and talcum powder asbestos cancer lawsuits. With as many as 20,000 lawsuits currently pending against Johnson & Johnson, many of these lawsuits have been filed by women in the state of Connecticut.

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

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with ovarian cancer it is important to speak to a knowledgeable attorney as quickly as possible due to the statutes of limitations. The statutes of limitations allow those filing a claim for a dangerous or defective product a specific window of time in which to do so. These statutes are different from state to state, therefore, it can be very beneficial for you to speak to an experienced Bridgeport, Connecticut baby powder ovarian cancer attorney.

How Could Consulting with a Bridgeport, Connecticut Baby Powder Ovarian Cancer Lawyer Be Beneficial?

If you have been diagnosed with ovarian cancer and you believe that diagnosis is related to your use of Johnson & Johnson’s talcum powder, you could benefit form filing a talcum powder ovarian cancer lawsuit. When you speak to an experienced baby powder ovarian cancer attorney from the Houston law firm of Sullo & Sullo, you can get the answers you need while your attorney comprehensively assesses the facts of your potential claim.