Are There Dangers Associated with Baby Powder with Talc?

The J & J talcum powder ovarian cancer link debacle is one of the most recent instances of breach of trust from the company whose baby powder has been a trusted household product for generations. While technically neither a dangerous drug nor a dangerous medical device, the J & J talcum powder lawsuits have been one of the most talked-about issues over the past decade.  Women have been using J & J talcum powder for generations for feminine hygiene purposes. In fact, some might say Johnson & Johnson specifically marketed talcum powder for that very purpose.

Baby powder was first developed in the 1890s by J & J scientists. The powder was made with a soft mineral known as talc, which is found primarily in metamorphic rocks. Most of us certainly remember the smell of baby powder with talc, and, in fact, J & J’s baby powder consistently makes the list of the top ten most recognizable smells in the United States.  Yet, as early as the 1930s, patients who underwent peritonitis surgery with surgeons who dusted their gloves with talcum powder were found to have significant inflammation in the abdominal region. Decades later, researchers found talc fibers deeply embedded in ovarian and cervical tumors that had been removed from women with those cancers.  

Where Does the Baby Powder Ovarian Cancer Litigation in Burlington, Vermont Stand?

Johnson & Johnson has long been a trusted household name, in Burlington, Vermont and across the nation. Women and their loved ones who have been diagnosed with ovarian cancer after a long history of using J & J talcum powder for feminine hygiene purposes may be entitled to compensation from a Burlington, Vermont baby powder cancer lawsuit. One of the prior lawsuits against Johnson & Johnson found the pharmaceutical company guilty of negligence, as well as conspiracy for failure to warn. Thousands of women who used J & J talcum powder for a significant number of years were unaware of the risks because the company failed to disclose dangers it was aware of.    

The first talc-related ovarian cancer lawsuit was filed in 2009; since that time, plaintiffs in these cases have won some very significant awards—in the double-digit millions, and even billions for a group of 22 women. J & J has consistently appealed each of these awards. While most of them are still in the appeals process, a Missouri Appeals Court upheld the billion-dollar award to the 22 women in June 2020, although the punitive portion of the award was reduced. Johnson & Johnson has vowed to take their appeal to the Supreme Court. There are as many as 20,000 pending baby powder ovarian cancer lawsuits against Johnson & Johnson, some of those filed by women in the state of Vermont.

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

Johnson & Johnson baby powder with talc and Shower to Shower with talc have not been recalled in the United States, however in May 2020, Johnson & Johnson announced they would discontinue the manufacture of their talc-based products in Canada and the United States. Even though J & J has discontinued their iconic baby powder—after nearly 130 years, and profits as high as $418 million in 2018 from baby powder alone—they continue to maintain their talc products are perfectly safe. J & J attributes the recent decision to a decline in sales caused by misinformation and the lawsuits the company has faced for more than a decade.  

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

You may wonder about the length of time you have in which to bring a lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson for harm caused by their dangerous product. The statutes of limitations determine the amount of time you have to file your product liability lawsuit; each state sets its own statutes of limitations, however, these statutes can be impacted by a wide variety of issues. If you have received a diagnosis of epithelial ovarian cancer, and you believe that diagnosis is related to your use of J & J talc-based products, it is imperative that you speak to a qualified talcum powder ovarian cancer attorney who can assess the facts of your individual case.

How Could Consulting with a Baby Powder Ovarian Cancer Lawyer for your Burlington, Vermont Claim Be Beneficial?

If you have been diagnosed with baby powder ovarian cancer, you could potentially benefit from a talcum powder ovarian cancer lawsuit. The highly skilled baby powder ovarian cancer lawyers from Sullo & Sullo can help you through this difficult time. We will ensure you receive the treatment you need for your health and will work to obtain compensation for your injuries.