Talcum Powder and Ovarian Cancer Lawsuit
Legally Reviewed By: Michael Akselrud
Senior Attorney
- Page Last Updated:
- November 19, 2024
Legally Reviewed By: Michael Akselrud
Senior Attorney
- Page Last Updated:
- November 19, 2024
In recent years, talcum powder has made headlines for its potentially cancer-causing properties. This household essential has been identified as a risk factor for ovarian cancer in women. Talcum powder has long been a popular personal hygiene product and is a key ingredient in many other common household products.
The widespread use of talcum powder, coupled with its ties to ovarian cancer, has resulted in billion-dollar jury awards in talcum powder lawsuits aimed at restoring justice to the women whose lives and fertility have been harmed by talcum powder products and the company that marketed it to consumers for decades.
What is Talc?
Talc is a naturally occurring mineral composed of magnesium, silicon, oxygen, and hydrogen. It is frequently found in metamorphic rock and mined from the earth. Asbestos sometimes forms in the same area as talc, and asbestos veins can run through talc formations, resulting in contamination.
Talc is the world’s softest mineral. It is easy to cut and crush. It is the main ingredient in talcum powder and is prized for its softness, absorbency, dry lubricant properties, and cleansing abilities. Talc can be found in everyday products, including cosmetics, first aid powders, antiperspirants, baby powder, body powder, plastics, rubber, ceramics, roofing materials, paper, and paint.
How Does Talc Cause Ovarian Cancer? Powder Uses
Applying talcum powder directly to the genital area or sanitary napkins is a common women’s hygiene practice. Many studies have examined, in particular, whether direct genital use increases the risk of ovarian cancer. With each application, asbestos-tainted talc particles may travel to the ovaries, and the body cannot break down the asbestos fibers. Over time, they cause inflammation, which damages DNA and ultimately leads to cancer.
The scientific community has also established a connection between inhaled asbestos and ovarian cancer. Inhaled asbestos in baby powder enters the lungs and can travel to other body parts, such as the ovaries. While ovarian cancer is the most well-known cancer associated with asbestos in talc, the following cancers have also been linked to asbestos in talc:
- Endometrioid ovarian cancer
- Fallopian tube cancer
- Mesothelioma
- Peritoneal cancer
- Serious epithelial cancer
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How Does Talc Cause Ovarian Cancer?
Lawsuits Against Johnson & Johnson
Other Companies Named In the Talc Lawsuits
The Importance Of Working With an Attorney for Your Talc Powder Lawsuit
The Lanier Law Firm’s Successful Talc Ovarian Cancer Cases Against Johnson & Johnson
What the Science Says About Baby Powder and Ovarian Cancer
Researchers first identified talc in ovarian cancer tumors in 1971, sparking the beginning of scientific inquiry into the link between talc and ovarian cancer. In 2020, researchers found asbestos in 8 of 10 tissue samples taken from ovarian tumors in women with confirmed talc use, and it was the same type known to contaminate talc. In May 2024, the Journal of Clinical Oncology published a study of 50,884 women that confirmed the link between ovarian cancer and genital talc use.
Studies of talc and ovarian cancer work to distinguish between talc contaminated with asbestos and uncontaminated talc. For now, the scientific consensus holds that there is a direct link between ovarian cancer risk and talcum powder that contains trace amounts of asbestos. The International Agency for Research on Cancer, or IARC, identifies asbestos-containing talc as carcinogenic to humans.
Symptoms of Ovarian Cancer
Symptoms of ovarian cancer are more likely to appear once the disease has progressed into the later stages. However, some women might experience symptoms earlier on. According to the American Cancer Society, the most common signs of ovarian cancer are abdominal and pelvic pain, bloating, difficulty eating, feeling full quickly, and urinary urgency or frequency. These symptoms can also be signs of several other conditions. This can make it difficult to diagnose ovarian cancer promptly.
Secondary symptoms of ovarian cancer that not all women experience might include:
- Fatigue
- Back pain
- Weight loss
- Constipation
- Painful intercourse
- Heavy or irregular bleeding during menstruation
If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, you should see a doctor and discuss the possibility of ovarian cancer. Ignoring symptoms will allow the disease to progress untreated.
Diagnosis and Treatment of Ovarian Cancer
If your doctor suspects that you have ovarian cancer, you’ll undergo a series of testing procedures to make a conclusive diagnosis. Diagnostic attempts will begin with the least invasive options and progress as necessary. A conclusive diagnosis may involve the following procedures:
- Pelvic exam
- Imaging
- Blood tests
- Diagnostic surgery
- DNA testing
Diagnostic procedures will vary and may depend on the extent to which cancer has progressed. Once a doctor has confirmed that ovarian cancer is present, the patient will then be assigned a rating of stage 1 through stage 4. The stage of cancer indicates how far it has spread throughout the body.
Treatment Options for Ovarian Cancer
Treatment options for ovarian cancer depend on the stage and how far the cancer has progressed and include the following:
- Surgery to remove ovaries or uterus
- Chemotherapy
- Targeted drug therapy
- Hormone therapy
- Immunotherapy
- Palliative care
The treatment suggested by your doctor will depend on the stage and location of the cancer, as well as other relevant health factors that might impact treatment outcomes.
Lawsuits Against Johnson & Johnson
Johnson & Johnson is the best-known talcum powder manufacturer and the primary defendant in talcum powder ovarian cancer lawsuits. More than 62,000 people have filed baby powder lawsuits against J&J.
Johnson & Johnson’s Attempts to Evade Liability
J&J has filed for bankruptcy twice using a legal maneuver known as the “Texas two-step,” which involved establishing a new subsidiary named LTL, transferring liabilities to it, and having LTL file for bankruptcy. LTL first filed for bankruptcy in October 2021, two days after its formation. At the time, J&J was facing 38,000 lawsuits.
The court rejected the bankruptcy in January 2023. Had the court allowed it, victims of baby powder cancer would have lost the right to sue J&J. Their only option would have been to file claims for significantly reduced trust fund payouts. J&J applied for bankruptcy again, but the court denied the bankruptcy in July of the same year.
J&J has filed bankruptcy again through another subsidiary, Red River Talc. It is proposing a $10 billion settlement as part of its bankruptcy reorganization to resolve the 62,000 lawsuits. This money would be deposited into an asbestos trust fund. If $10 billion were divided evenly among 62,000 claimants, each would receive $161,290. While some would receive more and some less, these amounts are significantly lower than the damages J&J would pay in most baby powder lawsuits.
Other Companies Named In the Talc Lawsuits
Any company that has manufactured, imported, marketed, distributed, or sold asbestos-containing talc may be liable for cancer resulting from its use. The following companies have been named as defendants in talc baby powder lawsuits:
- Avon
- CVS
- Chattem, a subsidiary of Sanofi
- Colgate-Palmolive
- Imerys Talc North America
- Target
- Vanderbilt Minerals
- Walgreens
- Walmart
- Whittaker, Clark & Daniels
Products allegedly linked to ovarian cancer include Gold Bond powders and sprays, Old Spice powder, and Shower to Shower. The FDA has also identified asbestos in Beauty Plus Global and Claire’s cosmetics.
The Importance Of Working With an Attorney for Your Talc Powder Lawsuit
Having an experienced talcum powder lawsuit attorney on your side is crucial for going up against large corporations like Johnson & Johnson. With our award-winning law firm on your side, you can focus on recovery while we do everything else, including:
- Investigate your baby powder asbestos exposure. We will identify every talc-containing product you were exposed to and the companies responsible for it.
- Gather evidence. We will delve into our database of private investigation materials and gather additional evidence to build the strongest case possible.
- Advocate for you. We will deal with the defendants’ insurance companies and lawyers and negotiate aggressively for the settlement you deserve.
- Represent you in court. We will fight for you in court if the defendants refuse to pay fair compensation.
We have been handling asbestos-exposure claims for over 25 years and have recovered over $20 billion in settlements and verdicts. We recently won a $39 million verdict for a client who developed mesothelioma from talc pleurodesis, a medical procedure used to treat a collapsed lung.
The Lanier Law Firm’s Successful Talc Ovarian Cancer Cases Against Johnson & Johnson
Our talcum powder lawsuit attorneys have been on the front lines against Johnson & Johnson’s talc-based products. Attorney Mark Lanier has been featured in Reuters and The New York Times articles investigating Johnson & Johnson’s role in asbestos-laced talc and the dire health ramifications of the company’s products.
In July 2018, The Lanier Law Firm secured a $4.69 billion verdict for 22 women and their families. The winning lawsuit showed that decades of using Johnson & Johnson baby powder had caused ovarian cancer. It made history as the first jury verdict affirming the link between asbestos-laced talcum powder and ovarian cancer. Our ovarian cancer lawyers successfully fought back against J&J’s attempts to evade responsibility in the Missouri Appellate Court in 2020 and the U.S. Supreme Court in 2021.
We continue to fight for victims of asbestos exposure, including through talc use, and have obtained the following results:
- $2 million settlement for the family of a deceased woman exposed to asbestos in industrial talc on her husband’s work clothes
- $1.6 million settlement for the family of a deceased woman exposed to cosmetic talc
- $1.15 million settlement for a woman exposed to asbestos through lifelong talcum powder use
Schedule Your Free Consultation Today
If you or a loved one has developed ovarian cancer, mesothelioma, or other asbestos-related cancers after long-term use of talc-based products, you may be entitled to compensation through a talcum powder lawsuit. Contact The Lanier Law Firm today for a free and confidential case evaluation.
Talcum Powder Lawsuit Frequently Asked Questions
Who Is Eligible To File a Talc Lawsuit?
You may be eligible to file a talc lawsuit if you meet the following criteria:
- Received a confirmed diagnosis of ovarian, peritoneal, or invasive fallopian tube cancer or mesothelioma
- A history of using talc-based baby powder daily for at least four years
- A positive biopsy showing evidence of talcum powder
- No genetic disorder that predisposes you to ovarian cancer
- Loss of a family member who met the above criteria
If you meet this criteria, contact our firm immediately for a free consultation.
How Long Do I Have to File a Talc Lawsuit?
Every state sets its own deadline, known as a statute of limitations, for when you must file a baby powder cancer lawsuit. The statute of limitations in most states is two or three years after your diagnosis or when you discover its connection to baby powder. However, the deadline may be shorter or longer in your state.
Our knowledgeable talcum powder cancer lawyers can determine the best venue for your claim and how the statute of limitations applies. It is important to contact us as soon as possible so we have ample opportunity to gather evidence, build your case, and file your lawsuit in the jurisdiction that will be most advantageous for you.
How Much Do Talcum Powder Lawyers Charge?
We operate on a contingency basis with no upfront fees. We also cover the costs associated with litigation, including expert witness fees, filing fees, and travel expenses, with no obligation for you unless we win. If we recover compensation for you, we will collect our costs and fees from your proceeds. The fee will be a percentage of your compensation, which we will disclose upfront.
By submitting this form, you agree to our terms & conditions. Please read full disclaimer here.
