Millions of dollars Awarded for Baby Powder Lawsuits – Get Your Check Now
McKay Law is reviewing claims on behalf of women who developed ovarian cancer or mesothelioma after using talcum powder or other talcum products.
Since 1971, more than 20 studies have linked talcum powder to ovarian cancer, and, in 2003, an analysis of 16 of these studies found that ** women using talcum powder were 33 percent more likely to develop ovarian cancer**. It has been alleged that Johnson & Johnson, the maker of popular talcum-based products, knew about the ovarian cancer risk since at least 1982, but failed to warn women using these products.
In addition, recently unearthed information reported by The New York Times, showed that Johnson & Johnson knew of the possible link of asbestos to their talcum products. According to the article, the company spent decades trying to keep this negative information from reaching the public.
Does Talcum Powder Cause Cancer?
Talcum and Ovarian Cancer
For decades, researchers have been studying the potential link between ovarian cancer and talcum powder. It is believed that talcum powder, when used near the genitals, can travel to the ovaries and become embedded in the ovarian tissue. While talcum is a natural mineral, it is very difficult for the body to remove the particles and, as a result, inflammation may occur and cancerous tumors may form.
The first publication to suggest that talcum may cause ovarian cancer was published in 1971 in the medical journal The Lancet. In the study, researchers discovered that a majority of ovarian tumors had talcum particles “deeply embedded” in them. Then, in 1982, researchers found that women using talcum powder during ovulation were at a 92 percent increased risk of developing ovarian cancer. During the next three decades, an additional 21 studies were performed on talcum powder, and almost all of these studies found that women using these products near their genitals were at an increased risk for developing ovarian cancer.
To date, both the National Cancer Institute and the American Cancer Society consider talcum use near the genitals as a “risk factor” for ovarian cancer. Despite this possible link, Johnson & Johnson and other talcum powder manufacturers have not placed warnings about this risk on their products.
Talcum and Mesothelioma
Among new information uncovered last year, are hundreds of pages of memos that indicate Johnson & Johnson’s baby powder could potentially be contaminated with asbestos. Executives from as early as 1971 have stated concerns about trace amounts of asbestos in their products and that the company should no longer assume that their talcum mines were asbestos-free. In one finding, Johnson & Johnson demanded that the government block negative findings from the public. The company eventually won assurances from an official at the Food and Drug Administration stating that the information would only be issued “over my dead body”.
Have Lawsuits Been Filed Against Johnson & Johnson?
It is believed that talcum powder, when used near the genitals, can travel to the ovaries and become embedded in the ovarian tissue.
Yes. Johnson & Johnson is facing a number of individual lawsuits filed by women alleging that the company failed to warn women about the risk of developing cancer when using these products. Individuals are suing for damages related to things like medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering and, in the event of death, funeral expenses.
$29 Million: In March 2019, a jury in Alameda County, California found in favor of Teresa Leavitt who claimed that asbestos in Johnson & Johnson’s talcum-based products caused her mesothelioma. Ms. Leavitt received her diagnosis in August 2017. She used Johnson & Johnson talcum products for more than 30 years.
$4.7 Billion: Punitive and compensatory damages were awarded to 22 women in Missouri in July 2018. These women accused Johnson & Johnson of failing to warn them about associated risks with using their baby and body powders. All of the plaintiffs in the case developed ovarian cancer. The punitive damages awarded in this case are among the highest ever in a product liability case.
$70 Million: In October 2016, a Missouri jury ordered Johnson and Johnson to pay Deborah Giannecchini, 62, $70 million dollars in damages, because they agreed that her frequent use of the company’s talcum powder caused her ovarian cancer, according to Bloomberg News. The California woman was diagnosed with ovarian cancer three years ago after using Johnson & Johnson’s talcum powder for more than four decades.
$55 Million: In May 2016, Gloria Ristesund was awarded $55 million by a Missouri jury because they agreed that her ovarian cancer was caused by her frequent use of Johnson & Johnson’s talcum powder. Although she was already at risk of ovarian cancer because she suffered from endometriosis, her attorneys argued that her use of talcum powder increased her chances of developing ovarian cancer by 200 percent.
$72 Million: In February 2016, the family of Jacqueline Fox was awarded $72 million after a jury agreed that her daily use of Johnson & Johnson’s talcum powder over the course of 35 years caused the ovarian cancer that killed her. The jury awarded $10 million for actual damages while the other $62 million, one million for each year of her life, was awarded for punitive damages.
A major initial victory for individuals suing Johnson & Johnson dates back to 2013, when a jury found that Johnson & Johnson should have warned women about the risk of developing ovarian cancer when using its talcum and baby powders near the genitals. In that case, the plaintiff alleged that she developed ovarian cancer after using Johnson & Johnson’s talcum-based Baby Powder and Shower-to-Shower products for nearly 30 years. According to the lawsuit, Johnson & Johnson knew about the link between talcum powder and cancer since as early as 1982, when a landmark study found that women using these products as hygienic powders were at a 92 percent increased risk of developing ovarian cancer.
Big Individual Victories in the Fight Over the Link Between Talcum Powder and Ovarian Cancer
Individual women suing Johnson & Johnson have secured some major victories in their fight against the company over its claims about talcum.
$70 Million: In October 2016, a Missouri jury ordered Johnson and Johnson to pay Deborah Giannecchini, 62, $70 million dollars in damages, because they agreed that her frequent use of the companies talcum powder caused her ovarian cancer, according to Bloomberg News. The California woman was diagnosed with ovarian cancer three years ago after using Johnson and Johnson’s talcum powder for more than four decades.
$55 Million: In May 2016, Gloria Ristesund was awarded $55 million by a Missouri jury because they agreed that her ovarian cancer was caused by her frequent use of Johnson & Johnson’s talcum powder. Although she was already at risk of ovarian cancer because she suffered from endometriosis, her attorneys argued that her use of talcum powder increased her chances of developing ovarian cancer by 200 percent.
$72 Million: In February 2016, the family of a Jacqueline Fox was awarded $72 million after a jury agreed that her daily use of Johnson & Johnson’s talcum powder over the course of 35 years caused the ovarian cancer that killed her. The jury award $10 million for actual damages while the other $62 million, one million for each year of her life, was awarded for punitive damages.
A major initial victory for individuals suing Johnson & Johnson dates back to 2013, when a jury found that Johnson & Johnson should have warned women about the risk of developing ovarian cancer when using its talcum and baby powders near the genitals. In that case, the plaintiff alleged that she developed ovarian cancer after using Johnson & Johnson’s talcum-based Baby Powder and Shower-to-Shower products for nearly 30 years.
According to the lawsuit, Johnson & Johnson knew about the link between talcum powder and cancer since as early as 1982, when a landmark study found that women using these products as hygienic powders were at a 92 percent increased risk of developing ovarian cancer.
Mckay Law is eager to boldly fight and protect anyone who may be the victim of Cancer caused by Talcum Powder
Contact McKay Law today for a 24/7 free consultation with our talcum powder lawsuit lawyers. Call us today or submit your case.
