What is the Talcum Powder Lawsuit?

Talcum powder manufacturer Johnson & Johnson faces thousands of lawsuits related to the possibility that its talcum powder products, including Baby Powder and Shower to Shower, may cause an increased risk of mesothelioma and ovarian cancer. 

With more than 14,000 cases pending as of September 2018, the courts have consolidated many of them into a mass tort.

If your doctor diagnosed you with mesothelioma or ovarian cancer and you are a current or former user of a talcum powder product, you may be eligible to file a talcum powder lawsuit by joining multidistrict litigation (MDL) pending against Johnson & Johnson. The case is MDL No. 2738, “Johnson & Johnson Talcum Powder Products Marketing, Sales Practices, and Products Liability Litigation.”

THE JOHNSON & JOHNSON BABY POWDER LAWSUITS

One of the world’s most recognizable names in health care, Johnson & Johnson (J&J) faces thousands of lawsuits over personal hygiene products containing asbestos-contaminated talcum powder, particularly in its Baby Powder range.

In October 2019, after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration detected traces of asbestos in some products, several recalls occurred, and J&J recalled only one lot of Johnson’s Baby Powder.

By 2020, tens of thousands of cases were brought against J&J alleging a link between its talc products and cancer diagnoses – leading the company to cease selling talc-based baby products altogether in the U.S. and Canada in 2022.

While some of these claims have been settled for millions of dollars, others have been merged into a multi-district litigation (MDL) in New Jersey.

THE TALCUM POWDER LAWSUIT MAKES SEVERAL SERIOUS ALLEGATIONS

In the lawsuits filed against Johnson & Johnson, the plaintiffs claim that talc products can cause cancer in two ways:

• When inhaled, the asbestos content in the talc could increase the risk of mesothelioma; and
• When used for feminine hygiene purposes, genital talcum powder use can lead to ovarian cancer.

In addition to claiming that baby powder products caused or contributed to their cancers, they claim that Johnson & Johnson and other manufacturers of talcum powder products have been hiding the truth about how dangerous their products are for decades.

In fact, the companies may have been aware of a link between talcum powder and ovarian cancer risk since the 1970s. The company continues to deny there is any link between its products and cancer.

THERE IS EVIDENCE TO BACK THE CLAIMS MADE IN TALC POWDER LAWSUITS

Talc was once the primary ingredient in baby powders and many other powder products and is still widely used today. Talc works well to soak up oil, sweat, and other moisture to keep the skin dry. For this reason, it is often used on the face, genitals, and to prevent diaper rash.

However, the rocks that talc is mined from are also a source of asbestos. Once a frequently used building material, asbestos exposure is now known as the cause of mesothelioma and other types of lung cancer. This means that talc-based baby powders or body powders could also contain asbestos, although Johnson & Johnson denies this claim.

In fact, Johnson & Johnson still claims its products are safe and have not issued any warnings about their use.

AM I ELIGIBLE TO FILE A TALCUM POWDER LAWSUIT?

Individuals who have suffered from mesothelioma or ovarian cancer after using talc-containing products may be eligible to file a lawsuit for damages.

• For ovarian cancer cases, the typical claim includes a recognized type of ovarian cancer related to talcum products, a diagnosis within the statute of limitations, and exposure to talc through duration and frequency.
• For mesothelioma cases, the plaintiff must prove exposure to asbestos-contaminated talcum powder, a diagnosis of mesothelioma, and meet the statute of limitations for filing the lawsuit.

While it can be difficult to prove that long-term use of talc-based products caused an individual’s illness, scientific evidence has been found linking certain diseases and cancers to talc usage.

Therefore, those who have suffered due to a related condition should consider speaking with a talcum powder lawyer to determine if they qualify for a talc lawsuit.

HOW MUCH WILL THE SETTLEMENT PAYOUTS BE IN THE TALCUM LAWSUITS?

The talcum powder lawsuit settlement amounts can vary greatly, depending on the individual case. The most notable payout to date was in 2020 when Johnson & Johnson paid $100 million to settle over 1,000 lawsuits that alleged that their baby powder contained carcinogenic talc, which caused deadly forms of cancer in some of the plaintiffs.

This works out to be an average of roughly $100,000 per case, though this is not necessarily indicative of what future settlements may look like for similar cases.

Though there is no set amount for a talcum powder lawsuit settlement, the amount will likely increase with subsequent settlements as the value of a mass tort case rarely goes down with later payouts.  It is still too early to accurately predict just how much future settlements will be.

YOU ONLY HAVE A LIMITED TIME TO JOIN THE TALCUM POWDER LAWSUITS

There are time limits in place that may prevent you from pursuing legal action if you wait too long. While we can help you understand how long you may have to file your case, you should consider calling us as soon as possible. We want to help you take legal action against talcum powder manufacturers.

Because product manufacturers have a duty to provide safe products and issue appropriate warnings if their products cause a significant risk to a person’s health or safety, Johnson & Johnson may be legally responsible for your cancer.

An experienced talcum powder lawyer can help you understand your eligibility to join the pending multi-district litigation to seek compensatory damages for your losses and suffering.

TALK TO A TALCUM POWDER LAWSUIT ATTORNEY ABOUT YOUR CASE

Thousands have come forward to make legal claims against Johnson & Johnson in ovarian cancer lawsuits. If you have cancer and believe there may be a link between your diagnosis and your use of Johnson & Johnson’s baby powder or other talcum powder products, the legal team from Zanes Law can review your case for free. 

Find out who can file a talcum powder lawsuit, and let us determine if you are eligible to join the ongoing MDL or take other legal action. Contact us today to learn more.