Fresno, California Talcum Powder Lawsuit Lawyer
Baby Powder Ovarian Cancer Dangers
Baby powder was developed by Johnson & Johnson scientists in the 1890s, using talc for the soft silky feel. According to Reuters, the earliest mention of possibly tainted J & J talc was in 1957. This report described fibrous, needle-like tremolite, which is one of the six minerals classified as asbestos. Over the years, Johnson & Johnson scientists, outside labs, and even Johnson & Johnson’s supplier yielded similar findings.
By 1976, the FDA was determining limits on asbestos in cosmetic talc products with J & J assuring the FDA that no asbestos was detected in any sample of its talc produced between December 1972 and October 1973. What J & J failed to mention was that at least three tests, performed by different labs between 1972 and 1975 had found some level of asbestos in the talc used by J & J for its baby powder with talc and Shower to Shower with talc.
In the ensuing years, only a tiny fraction of the talc used by J & J was tested, and the testing that was done had certain limitations which allowed trace amounts of contaminants to go undetected. By the 1980s, Harvard researchers found that women who used talcum powder for feminine hygiene purposes had twice the risk of ovarian cancer (due to the talc fibers), yet J & J continued using talc in their iconic baby powder.
Where Does the Baby Powder Ovarian Cancer Litigation in Fresno, California Stand?
The first lawsuit against J & J occurred in 2009 when Deane Berg, 49, of South Dakota filed a lawsuit against the company after developing ovarian cancer after years of using J & J baby powder with talc for many years in the perineal region. Berg was offered a fairly sizeable confidential settlement, however, she chose to take her case to court. While the jury found J & J liable for Berg’s cancer, they awarded Berg no compensation.
Since that time, there have been a number of substantial verdicts against Johnson & Johnson, including a verdict in the billions in 2018 to 22 women. An appeals court very recently upheld this verdict, although they did cut the punitive damage portion of the award by half. There are as many as 20,000 lawsuits currently pending against Johnson & Johnson, with many of these lawsuits filed by women in the state of California.
Has J & J Baby Powder with Talc Been Recalled in the U.S.?
The FDA, who has little control over cosmetics and personal products, has consistently refused to recall J & J baby powder with talc, and Johnson & Johnson has continued to maintain their talc-based products are safe. That being said, the company recently made the decision to discontinue sales of their talc-based products, both in the United States and Canada. The company attributed this move to a decline in the amount of talc-based baby powder sold and attributed that decline to changes in consumer habits as a result of the barrage of litigation.
Have the Statutes of Limitations Passed for My Baby Powder Ovarian Cancer Case?
Statutes of limitations refer to the amount of time an individual has to file a product liability lawsuit against the manufacturer of a dangerous or defective product. The statutes of limitations are different from state to state, and even if you believe your statutes of limitations have passed, it is important to remember that the statutes can be impacted by a number of issues. A highly qualified talcum powder ovarian cancer lawyer can assess the unique facts of your Fresno, California case, then can help you determine whether you could benefit from filing a baby powder ovarian cancer lawsuit.
How Could Consulting with a Fresno, California Baby Powder Ovarian Cancer Lawyer Be Beneficial?
You could have a solid claim against Johnson & Johnson if you have been diagnosed with baby powder ovarian cancer. An experienced talcum powder ovarian cancer attorney can assess the facts of your unique case, helping you determine whether a lawsuit is right for you. If you have developed epithelial ovarian cancer after using talcum powder for feminine hygiene purposes, contact the Houston law firm of Sullo & Sullo.
DISCLAIMER: Statutes of Limitations limit the amount of time that an individual has to file a lawsuit, and not only vary from state to state, but also vary by cause of action. The information provided above and in the state-specific pages in this section is meant as a general guide, and is for informational purposes only. Each client’s case is unique, and the specific circumstances of any individual case can have significant bearing on the applicable statute of limitations. Any person who believes they may have a viable cause of action is strongly encouraged to consult with an attorney about the statute of limitations for his or her case. Attorney Andrew Sullo is licensed to practice law in Texas, and can prosecute cases that are part of a federal multi-district litigation. Andrew Sullo does not practice law in any other state, and is not certified by the Boards of Legal Specialization in any state. Not all states have board certifications. This information is not intended to solicit clients for matters outside of the State of Texas. Our firm is not accepting cases in any state where it would be impermissible for it to do so. Sullo & Sullo, LLP maintains its principal office in Houston, Texas.
