Potential Talcum Powder Dangers

In 2006, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (part of the World Health Organization), classified talc as a 2B agent, noting it was “possibly carcinogenic to humans.” The agency based the conclusion on the “remarkably consistent” results of prior epidemiological studies. There were a number of studies done prior to this agency’s conclusion that talc was potentially carcinogenic. As early as the 1970’s, British researchers studied the ovarian tissues of thirteen women who had been diagnosed with ovarian cancer. In ten of those tissue samples, talc fibers were found deeply embedded. By 2008, Harvard epidemiologist Dr. Margaret Gates reaffirmed that a woman’s weekly use of talcum powder for feminine hygiene increased the risk of ovarian cancer by 33 percent, while the daily use of Johnson & Johnson’s Shower to Shower with talc could increase a woman’s risk of ovarian cancer by as much as 41 percent.

Two years later, Dr. Gates and two other Harvard researchers published a study in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention which investigated the role of talc particles in endometrial cancer, reinforcing the belief that talc in baby powder could be carcinogenic to humans. There are currently more than 1,200 cases pending against Johnson & Johnson, following the first three trials in which jurors found in favor of the plaintiffs. In the February 2016 wrongful death claim brought by the family of Jacqueline Fox, jurors awarded $72 million to Fox’s family. In the May 2016 personal injury claim by plaintiff Gloria Ristesund, a second Missouri jury awarded $55 million. Johnson & Johnson has said they will appeal the decisions.

Understanding the Oklahoma Ovarian Baby Powder Cancer State Statute of Limitations

All states in the United States have statutes of limitations, ranging from one year to ten years. These statutes dictate the length of time a plaintiff has in which to file a lawsuit—in this case, a product liability baby powder ovarian cancer lawsuit. In addition to statutes of limitations, some states also have statutes of repose which bar any cause of action which is not brought within a certain time period after the occurrence of a defined event. Some examples of these events include the date on which an alleged defective product was initially manufactured, delivered, purchased or sold. In the state of Oklahoma, the statute of limitations is two years from the date on which the injury occurred. Oklahoma has no statute of repose. While the statute of limitations may sound fairly straightforward, they can actually be fairly complex, requiring an experienced ovarian talcum powder cancer attorney to help interpret them correctly.

How the Oklahoma Statue of Limitations Applies to Ovarian Baby Powder Cancer Lawsuits

Many women were unaware of the talcum powder dangers, and were diagnosed with ovarian cancer many years ago. It is important to remember the discovery rule as it applies to baby powder ovarian cancer lawsuits. As an example, your Oklahoma ovarian baby powder cancer state statute of limitations should not begin to toll until:

·         The FDA issues a warning regarding the link between ovarian cancer and talcum powder used for feminine hygiene;

·         You discover your talc cancer injury was caused by Johnson & Johnson;

·         Johnson & Johnson admits there is an issue with their talc products;

·         The FDA issues a recall of all talc products, or

·         Your injury is discovered through the use of a scanning electron microscope imaging study which determines the presence of talc fibers.

If your diagnosis was made more than ten years ago, you could face additional problems. Federal law only requires that healthcare institutions keep tissue samples on hand for ten years. After this period of time, the tissue samples are destroyed. Contacting an ovarian talcum powder cancer attorney can be beneficial for you, as the attorney can send a preservation letter to the hospital, preventing the diagnostic pathology samples from being destroyed. In the end, it can be very difficult to determine on your own whether your Oklahoma ovarian baby powder cancer state statute of limitations has run, without the help of a knowledgeable ovarian baby powder cancer attorney. 

Getting Help from an Oklahoma Ovarian Talcum Powder Cancer Attorney

A knowledgeable baby powder cancer attorney could work hard on your potential case to help ensure all deadlines are met in a timely manner. If you believe you have missed your time deadline for filing your ovarian talcum powder lawsuit, don’t lose hope. A well-qualified ovarian talc cancer attorney could thoroughly assess your case, exploring all options available to pursue compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. If you are a resident of one of the following locales in Oklahoma who was diagnosed with ovarian cancer after using Johnson & Johnson’s baby powder with talc or Shower to Shower with talc for feminine hygiene, you are encouraged to contact an Oklahoma ovarian talcum powder cancer attorney.

·         Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

·         Tulsa, Oklahoma

·         Norman, Oklahoma

·         Broken Arrow, Oklahoma

·         Lawton, Oklahoma

·         Edmond, Oklahoma

·         Moore, Oklahoma

·         Midwest City, Oklahoma