What are the Baby Powder Ovarian Cancer Dangers?

The vast majority of adults are very familiar with Johnson & Johnson baby powder with talc. In fact, the smell of J & J baby powder with talc ranks in the top ten of the most recognizable smells. Johnson & Johnson scientists developed baby powder with talc in the 1890’s; the product took off, remaining a strong seller for more than a century, and making more than $400 million per year for the company by 2018. Despite the fact that talc fibers were found to be harmful to humans in the 1930s, the pharmaceutical giant continued to sell the product for nearly nine more decades.

Ovarian cancer tumors removed from women after their death were found to have talc fibers deeply embedded in them in 1971, signaling once more that women needed to be careful when using talc powder in the perineal region. After this information was made public, many other companies who sold talc powder began using cornstarch in their powders rather than talc. While J & J also manufactured a baby powder with cornstarch, they continued selling their talc-based products as well.

Where Does the Baby Powder Ovarian Cancer Litigation in Little Rock, Arkansas Stand?

The first lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson regarding ovarian cancer was filed in 2009. The plaintiff was offered a confidential settlement, which she refused. At trial, while the jury found J & J liable for the plaintiff’s ovarian cancer, they awarded her no monetary compensation. Several more women received sizeable awards following trials, but J & J appealed each one.

Following a settlement in the billions won by 22 women in 2018, the decision was upheld in June 2020 by a Missouri appeals court, although the punitive award portion was significantly diminished. There are currently as many as 20,000 lawsuits pending against Johnson & Johnson by women who developed ovarian cancer after using J & J baby powder with talc for feminine hygiene purposes. Many of these lawsuits have been filed by women in the state of Arkansas.

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

The FDA has consistently declined to recall Johnson & Johnson talc-based products despite substantial research pointing to the dangers of talc fibers and asbestos fibers. Johnson & Johnson announced in May 2020 they would no longer be selling their talc-based products in the United States and Canada, while continuing to assert the products are perfectly safe. The company attributed the move to a decline in sales due to misinformation resulting from the “constant barrage of litigation.”    

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

If you believe you may have a baby powder ovarian cancer lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson, it is important that you are aware of the statutes of limitations. These statutes dictate the amount of time you have to file a product liability lawsuit against the manufacturer of a dangerous or defective product. While each state has its own statutes of limitations, these statutes can be impacted by a number of issues, therefore it is wise to contact an experienced talcum powder ovarian cancer lawyer who can assess the facts of your Little Rock, Arkansas case.

How Could Consulting with a Little Rock, Arkansas Baby Powder Ovarian Cancer Lawyer Be Beneficial?

If you have received a diagnosis of ovarian cancer after using Johnson & Johnson talcum powder for feminine hygiene purposes, you may have a talcum powder ovarian cancer lawsuit. It is important that you speak to an experienced talcum powder ovarian cancer attorney from Sullo & Sullo who can help you determine whether filing a lawsuit is right for you.