Talcum Powder Lawyer

Talcum powder is a soft, white powder that is developed from magnesium silicate. The substance has been used in a wide range of cosmetic products since it was found to absorb moisture and reduce friction.

The most well-known products are Johnson & Johnson’s baby powder and Shower to Shower body powder, manufactured by Valeant Pharmaceuticals International Inc.

In its natural form, some talc contains asbestos. Asbestos is a product that causes cancer in the lungs when it is inhaled.

Talc is also used in baby powder and Shower to Shower body powder — products used by women for personal hygiene for decades. Studies have linked the use of talcum powder to ovarian cancer in women. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed, call a compassionate talcum powder lawyer for help filing a claim for compensation.

Talcum Powder Complications & Symptoms

Talc is widely recognized as one of the world’s softest minerals, and consumers have used talcum powder for generations, due in large part to an aggressive marketing campaign from companies like Johnson & Johnson.

From a chemical composition standpoint, talc and asbestos have much in common. And just like tiny asbestos fibers absorb through the skin and migrate to the lungs, microscopic-sized talc fibers absorb through the skin, migrate to the cervix and then to the ovaries.

In 2013, a team of doctors who focus on cancer and women’s health, reviewed eight recent studies and concluded that talcum powder elevates the risk of ovarian cancer by as much as 30 percent. Their findings almost mimicked the conclusions from a separate 2003 study.

Due to the serious nature of the injuries involved, as well as Johnson & Johnson’s conduct over the last several decades, damages in talcum powder cases are often substantial, which is why it is important to contact a lawyer as soon as possible.

Can Baby Powder And Shower To Shower Body Powder Cause Ovarian Cancer?

There are specific criteria used to determine if the use of baby powder or Shower to Shower body powder caused cancer in a particular woman.

These are the factors used by lawyers to determine if a talcum powder lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson and Valeant Pharmaceutical International, Inc. can be filed by the woman or her surviving family members if she died from this disease.

The main factors to determine if a lawsuit can be filed include:

1. There must be a diagnosis of an ovarian-type cancer.
2. The use of talcum powder (baby powder or Shower to Shower body powder) must have been a daily habit with five years of minimum use. Family members can testify about the daily  use of talcum powder by a loved one in the event that the woman died from an ovarian type cancer.
3. The woman must have used Johnson & Johnson baby powder (talcum powder) or Shower to Shower body powder, manufactured by Valeant Pharmaceutical International, Inc.
4. The woman must have dusted her genital area with the talcum powder.  Most women did this routinely after bathing.
5. There must be positive biopsy showing evidence of talcum powder.  The biopsy results will be in the medical records.
6. The woman must not have a genetic disorder pre-disposing her to ovarian cancer, like the BRCA 1 gene or BRCA 2 gene.  Most cancer patients, or their families, will know if the woman had this type of genetic disorder.  This information will also be contained in the medical records.

What Is Shower To Shower Absorbent Body Powder?

Shower to Shower is marketed as an after-shower body powder for adults. It is currently available in six different fragrances, and is available in 8 oz. and 13 oz. containers. The powder primarily consists of cornstarch and talcum powder, which help absorb moisture. It was sold for decades by Johnson & Johnson before Valeant Pharmaceuticals International Inc. acquired the brand in 2012.

Johnson & Johnson was ordered by a Missouri state jury in February 2016 to pay $72 million of damages to the family of a woman whose death from ovarian cancer was linked to her use of the company’s talc-based Baby Powder and Shower to Shower for several decades. Valeant Pharmaceuticals was not a defendant in the case.

The verdict was reportedly the first by a U.S. jury to award damages over the claims.

What Is Johnson & Johnson’s Baby Powder?

Johnson & Johnson’s Baby Powder is used to eliminate friction and leave skin feeling delicately soft and dry while providing soothing comfort. According to the official website, it’s recommended the product be used after every bath and diaper change. For adults, it’s recommended the talc-based powder be used “anytime you want skin to feel soft, fresh, and comfortable.”

Johnson & Johnson faces claims that it — in an effort to boost sales — reportedly failed for decades to warn consumers that its talc-based products could cause cancer. About 1,000 cases have been filed in Missouri state court, and another 200 in New Jersey. Trials in several other talcum powder lawsuits are set for later this year.

Ovarian Cancer

Millions of women have used baby powder and Shower to Shower body powder in their genital area throughout their lifetime.

It was a personal hygiene ritual for many women passed on from their own mothers.  At the time, there was no reason to suspect that this product — applied to the skin — could cause serious harm or injury. The baby powder bottle and packaging had no information that the powder contained talc or that it could cause cancer.

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) is part of the World Health Organization (WHO). Its major goal is to identify causes of cancer.  The agency classifies talc containing asbestos as cancer-causing to human beings.  Based upon the evidence from scientists studying the link between talcum powder to ovarian cancer, the IARC classifies the use of talcum powder as “possibly carcinogenic to humans.”

Concerns about the safety of talcum powder were called into question decades ago, but it was not until recently that various medical studies have determined a link between the powder and ovarian cancer, among other serious conditions.

In June 2013, Cancer Prevention Research published a study that found women who used talcum powder for personal hygiene had a 20-30 percent greater chance of developing ovarian cancer than women who did not use talcum powder. Since the study was published, additional studies have noted similar results.

In May 2015, the International Journal of Gynecological Cancer published studies that found talc use increased the risk of ovarian cancer by 30-60%.

The connection between talc and ovarian cancer was made stronger when scientists discovered talc minerals inside cancerous tumors removed from women’s bodies.

Early-stage ovarian cancer does not often carry any noticeable symptoms, one of the main reasons the cancer is difficult to detect early.

Although they may not be present early, symptoms should still be looked for as part of any self-examination to determine one’s health. The symptoms that may indicate the disease include:

• Bloating
• Pelvic Or Abdominal Pain
• Eating Irregularities
• Urinary Symptoms
• Weight Loss
• Bowel Habit Irregularities

FDA Recall Information

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has not yet issued a recall for talcum powder products despite growing evidence that the drug has been linked to serious side effects.

In June 2013, Cancer Prevention Research published a study that found women who used talcum powder for personal hygiene had a 20-30% greater chance of developing ovarian cancer than women who did not use talcum powder. In May 2015, the International Journal of Gynecological Cancer published studies that found talc use increased the risk of ovarian cancer by 30-60%.

The connection between talc and ovarian cancer was made stronger when scientists discovered talc minerals inside cancerous tumors removed from women’s bodies.

Talcum powder products are still being used by millions of people today.

Although talcum powder products have not yet been recalled, you can still pursue a lawsuit if you or someone you care about has been harmed by these products by contacting a lawyer.

Criteria for Filing a Talcum Powder Lawsuit

As many as 2,200 cases of ovarian cancer diagnosed each year may have been caused by regular use of talcum powder.

Talc is a mineral made of up various elements including magnesium, silicon, and oxygen. Talc is ground to make talcum powder which is used to absorb moisture and is widely available in various products including baby powder and adult products including body and facial powder.

Talc products used regularly in the genital area increase the risk of ovarian cancer.

In February 2016, a jury found Johnson & Johnson knew of the cancer risks associated with its talc products but failed to warn consumers, and awarded the family of our client $72 million. She died of ovarian cancer after using J&J talc-containing products for more than 30 years.

The criteria for filing a talcum powder lawsuit with an attorney include the following:

• Must be female
• Regularly used Johnson’s Baby Powder or Shower to Shower Body Powder in the genital area
• Has been diagnosed with ovarian cancer

Talcum powder ovarian cancer lawsuits are being filed against Johnson & Johnson and Valeant Pharmaceutical International, Inc. by women diagnosed with this disease. In cases involving death, the surviving family members can file a Wrongful Death Lawsuit against the baby powder and body powder manufacturers.  To qualify for a lawsuit, the six factors above must generally be satisfied.

Several talcum powder lawsuits have gone to trial recently.  In two cases, juries have awarded the surviving family members millions of dollars in compensation against Johnson & Johnson. Several other cases are expected to go to trial soon. Based upon the verdicts in other cases, it is anticipated that these other trials will have similar results against the company. The nation’s top-ranked trial lawyers are prepared to continue this battle against the company.

Reported Verdicts and Settlements

There have not been any settlements paid yet to women or their families.  However, several cases have gone to jury trials with winning verdicts for the victims.

In February 2016, a jury ordered Johnson & Johnson to pay $72 million of damages to the family of a woman.  The jury determined the evidence proved the woman died from ovarian cancer caused by her use of Baby Powder and Shower to Shower for several decades. The verdict was reportedly the first by a U.S. jury to award damages over the claims.

A few months later, a jury in another case found Johnson & Johnson liable for causing ovarian cancer in another woman.  The jury ordered the company to pay $55 million to a South Dakota woman who claimed the talcum powder in the product caused her to develop ovarian cancer.

In June 2016 in Los Angeles, California, a jury awarded a woman a $13 million verdict against Johnson & Johnson at the end of the trial.  That trial was for lung cancer caused by talc contained in baby powder, but the jury determined that the baby powder maker was negligent for making and selling the product without properly warning the public of the health hazards of the product.

Compensation Available

The lawsuits against Johnson & Johnson and Valeant Pharmaceutical International, Inc. claim damages for the harm caused by talc in baby powder and Shower to Shower body powder.

Women diagnosed with ovarian cancer have a long and painful course of treatment and suffer significant psychological harm during the process. In addition to the physical and emotional pain and suffering, many women suffer financial hardships from lost income and medical bills related to their treatment. The lawsuits claim compensation for both these economic and non-economic losses.

Family members who have lost a loved one to ovarian cancer caused by the use of talcum powder are entitled to compensation under the Wrongful Death Laws, which can be pursued with the help of a lawyer. In most states, these laws provide damages for the loss of society and the companionship of the loved one.

Claims can be made by a husband, children, parent, sibling, and other family members or heirs of the decedent.  Compensation for loss of support and income, both past and future, can also be claimed as damages in a lawsuit.

Do I Need an Attorney to File a Talcum Powder Lawsuit?

Whlie you can try to file a claim alone, it is advised to work with a knowledgeable talcum powder lawyer who has experienced handling dangerous drug claims.