Is Baby Powder with Talc Dangerous?

The short answer to the above question is “yes.” There have been a number of studies done beginning in the 1930s that showed talc fibers could cause significant inflammation, and inflammation is a known cancer risk. There are two facets to the Johnson & Johnson baby powder with talc lawsuits. First, it has been shown that when women use baby powder with talc or Shower to Shower with talc in the perineal region for feminine hygiene purposes, the microscopic talc fibers can travel through the reproductive system to the ovaries, where they embed themselves and cause inflammation.

Generally, women who use the powder on a regular basis for many years are at the highest risk. The second issue associated with talcum powder is the fact that asbestos is usually mined in the same area as talc. Some recent lawsuits have claimed there are asbestos fibers in J & J’s talc-based products in addition to talc fibers. By the 1980s, Harvard researchers found that women who used talcum powder for feminine hygiene purposes had twice the risk of ovarian cancer.  

Where Does the Baby Powder Ovarian Cancer Litigation in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Stand?

The lawsuits against Johnson & Johnson began in 2009 when Deane Berg developed ovarian cancer at the age of 49, after using J & J’s baby powder with talc since her teenage years. Since that first lawsuit, there have been a number of verdicts in favor of the plaintiffs, although J & J has appealed every adverse decision. In 2018, there was a verdict in the billions in favor of the women. In June 3030, a Missouri Appeals Court upheld this particular verdict, although the punitive portion was cut by half. J & J has said they will take the case to the Supreme Court. There are some 20,000 lawsuits against J & J currently, with many of those lawsuits filed by women from Pennsylvania.    

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

The FDA—which has little control over beauty products in the U.S.—has not issued a recall for any of J & J’s talc-based products, and J & J has continued to assert their talc-based products are safe. Despite this, after selling talc-based products for almost 130 years, J & J recently discontinued sales of all their talc-based products in the U.S. and Canada, citing the barrage of litigation as a factor.

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

Although the statutes of limitations can be impacted by a number of issues, they basically tell you the amount of time you have in which to file a product liability or other type of lawsuit. This window of time varies from state to state, going from one year in some states to more than ten in others. It is important that you speak to an experienced baby powder ovarian cancer lawyer who can assess the unique facts of your Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, helping you determine whether you could benefit from filing a baby powder ovarian cancer lawsuit.

How Could Consulting with a Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Baby Powder Ovarian Cancer Lawyer Be Beneficial?

You could have a claim against Johnson & Johnson if you have been diagnosed with epithelial ovarian cancer after using J & J’s talc-based products. A highly skilled talcum powder ovarian cancer attorney from Sullo & Sullo can help you determine whether a lawsuit is right for you. We can answer all your questions, and help you determine whether filing a baby powder ovarian cancer lawsuit is right for you.