Tens of thousands of lawsuits have been filed on behalf of women who have been diagnosed with ovarian cancer after regular use of talcum powder products, like Johnson & Johnson’s baby powder or Shower to Shower.
While regular users of these products were unaware of the potential risks, the lawsuits allege companies like Johnson & Johnson knew of the danger but did not adequately warn the public. There are multiple studies showing an increased risk of ovarian cancer caused by regular use of talcum powder, especially regular use for feminine hygiene.
If you or your loved one are facing an ovarian cancer diagnosis, or your loved one has passed away from the disease, it is critical to review legal options. Compensation may be available for medical expenses, pain and suffering, wrongful death and more. Companies that knowingly expose consumers to a higher risk of severe disease should be held accountable and victims should receive financial compensation for the damages they have suffered.
At Pfeifer, Morgan & Stesiak, we have spent decades advocating for injured victims at no upfront cost. Contact us to explore your legal options with a licensed attorney.
Schedule a free consultation with a licensed defective product lawyer today: (574) 444-0741.
What Is Talcum Powder?
Talcum powder is made from talc, a mineral that is composed of magnesium, silicon and oxygen. Talcum powder has been used in many cosmetic and personal care products because of its unique ability to absorb moisture and reduce friction. These properties help keep skin dry, which is why it has been used for feminine hygiene for decades.
Talc is also used in:
- Roofing materials
- Floors
- Caulk
- Ceramics
- Paint
The problem with talc is that it often contains asbestos, which is known to cause cancer. For many years, companies sold products containing talc without warning them about the potential risks.
Who Is Eligible To File a Talcum Powder Lawsuit?
You should discuss your eligibility for a talcum powder lawsuit with an experienced lawyer. However, these are some of the general criteria for such a lawsuit:
- Regular, long-term use of talcum powder: Individuals diagnosed with ovarian cancer after regular, long-term use of talcum powder products for hygiene purposes may be eligible to file a lawsuit. This is especially true if you used talcum powder on the genital area, as this may increase the risk of developing ovarian cancer.
- Diagnosis after the year 2000: You will need to show that you were diagnosed at some point between the year 2000 and the present day. You must have biopsy results showing a possible link between your diagnosis and talcum powder use.
- You do not have the BRCA gene: Some women may not quality because of a specific genetic mutation (BRCA gene). Doctors may be unable to prove that women with this genetic mutation developed ovarian cancer because of exposure to talc or because of their unique genetic makeup.
- Diagnosed between age 22 and age 65: Typically, you will not be eligible to file a lawsuit if you were diagnosed before the age of 22 or after the age of 65. You must have been diagnosed at some point between those ages.
The only way to know for sure whether you may be eligible is to contact an experienced law firm to review your situation. At this point, tens of thousands of lawsuits have already been filed. An experienced firm like Pfeifer, Morgan and Stesiak will know how to determine if you may be able to take legal action.
Link Between Ovarian Cancer and Talcum Powder
Organizations like the National Cancer Institute and the American Cancer Society have said the use of talcum powder products on the genitals puts you at greater risk of developing ovarian cancer. The International Agency for Research on Cancer says talc that is contaminated with asbestos is carcinogenic to humans.
Research has shown that talcum powder particles can travel through the vagina, uterus and fallopian tubes to the ovaries, where they can cause inflammation. This inflammation may eventually lead to the development of tumors.
One of the first studies to link talcum powder to cancer was conducted in the early 1970s. Researchers looked at ovarian cancer tumors and found that 75 percent of the tumors contained talcum powder particles.
Since then, numerous studies have confirmed the link between talcum powder use and ovarian cancer. There was a study in 1982 that said women who used talcum powder while ovulating had a 92 percent higher chance of developing ovarian cancer. This study was technically the first to say talcum powder use was a risk factor for ovarian cancer.
There was a study done in 2013 that revealed women who used talcum powder for personal hygiene had a 20-30 percent higher risk of being diagnosed with ovarian cancer. This study analyzed eight case studies of women who used talcum powder products.
There is a another study from 2016 that found 63 percent of women diagnosed with ovarian cancer had applied talcum powder throughout their lives.
It is bad enough that all this research exists. What is worse is that lawyers for Johnson & Johnson admitted in federal court that they had known about the research since the early 1970s.
Ovarian Cancer Statistics
Ovarian cancer is quite rare compared to many other forms of cancer. There are an estimated 19,710 new cases in 2023, which is just one percent of all new cancer cases. However, there were an estimated 13,270 deaths from ovarian cancer in 2023, according to data gathered by the National Institutes of Health.
As of 2020, there were an estimated 236,511 women living with this disease.
The five-year survival rate for ovarian cancer is estimated at 50.8 percent. However, one of the problems is that many women are not diagnosed until the disease has progressed to a later stage. As with other forms of cancer, when it progresses to a later stage it is harder to treat.
Compensation for Talcum Powder Victims
These are some of the types of damages you may be able to seek in a talcum powder lawsuit:
- Past medical bills for treatment of cancer
- Future medical bills for your treatment (hospital stays, chemotherapy, medications, etc.)
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Lost income
- Lost wages
- Lost enjoyment of life
- Lower life expectancy
Surviving family members may be able to seek wrongful death damages, such as funeral costs, pain and suffering, lost financial contributions and more.
The value of each case depends on various factors, including:
- Your diagnosis
- Life expectancy
- Effectiveness of medical treatment
- Your financial contribution to your family
- Ability to work
- And other factors
Talcum Powder Settlements
After filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in April 2023, Johnson & Johnson offered $9 billion to settle a significant number of talcum powder lawsuits. However, the settlement offer was taken off the table after a judge denied Johnson & Johnson’s bankruptcy.
This is one of the latest of many settlements and verdicts in talcum powder litigation. In January 2024, Johnson & Johnson (J&J) had a tentative agreement on a $700 million settlement with more than 40 states about talcum powder marketing. This settlement would not affect individual talcum powder lawsuits, but settlement documents could show the company knew that talcum powder was linked to cancer.
There was a landmark ruling in June of 2021 by the U.S. Supreme Court. The court denied J&J’s request to overturn an award of $2.1 billion to 22 women who were diagnosed with ovarian cancer.
These have been several other settlements and verdicts. However, some were reversed or thrown out. For example, a $110 million verdict from 2017 was reversed. This verdict was from a jury in St. Louis for a woman who had used baby powder for more than four decades.
A $72 million award from February of 2016 was also thrown out. The award was in a wrongful death case for a woman who had used talcum powder for more than 35 years.
How Many Talcum Powder Lawsuits Have Been Filed?
So many talcum powder lawsuits have been filed that they were eventually consolidated into a multidistrict litigation (MDL). These are created when there are numerous lawsuits with similar questions of fact. Putting the cases into an MDL helps to speed up the legal process. It is also easier for new plaintiffs to join an MDL.
As of March 1, 2024, there are 53,796 actions pending in the Johnson & Johnson talcum powder MDL. There are bellwether trials scheduled for 2024 and 2025. These trials are meant to give both sides an idea of how judges and juries are expected to rule in these cases.
Can I Join the Multidistrict Litigation?
This is question for an experienced lawyer. If you think you meet the qualifications for joining a talcum powder lawsuit, contact our firm to learn more. There are no upfront costs or legal obligations.
Call Pfeifer, Morgan and Stesiak To Discuss Possible Legal Options
At Pfeifer, Morgan & Stesiak, we understand the profound impact an ovarian cancer diagnosis can have on your life and the lives of your loved ones. Our team has obtained millions in compensation for injured victims and works on a contingency basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we win your case.
While we know compensation does not change what has happened, we know how vital compensation can be for victims and families who need medical treatment and have suffered other damages.
Contacting an experienced law firm is the first step towards seeking justice and compensation and holding the powerful accountable for putting the public in danger. Remember, there are no upfront costs or legal obligations. The initial legal consultation is also free of charge.
Licensed attorneys. Proven results. Call Pfeifer, Morgan and Stesiak today: (574) 444-0741.
