Talcum Powder

Talcum Powder

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Talcum Powder Lawsuit: Ovarian Cancer

Johnson & Johnson was recently ordered by a St. Louis, Missouri jury to pay $72 million in economic and punitive damages after a talcum power lawsuit to Jacqueline Fox, a woman who died from ovarian cancer. The jury found that her prolonged use of Shower-to-Shower® body powder contributed or caused her ovarian cancer, and that Johnson & Johnson failed to warn her of the link between use of talcum powders for feminine hygiene and the increased risk of ovarian cancer.

According to a study in Epidemiology, women who routinely applied talcum powder to their genital area have a 33% higher risk of developing ovarian cancer in their lifetime¹. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 20,000 American women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer each year. Annually, some 14,500 American women die from ovarian cancer. Despite this risk, Johnson & Johnson still maintains that their talcum products are safe, nor do they provide any warning regarding the use of talcum products and ovarian cancer.

Have you or a loved one been diagnosed with ovarian cancer after consistent use of a talcum powder product? If the answer is yes, then you may be eligible for compensation. To find out if you or a loved one may have a potential talcum powder claim, speak to an experienced attorney at the Hollis Law Firm. The attorneys at the Hollis Law Firm offer free case reviews for claims for talcum powder and other dangerous drugs and devices. Each case is reviewed on an individual basis. The Hollis Law Firm represents clients from Kansas and Missouri, and partners with injury lawyers in all 50 states to provide representation to clients throughout the country.

To speak to a member of the Hollis Law team about your case, please contact the Hollis Law Firm by completing a contact form or by calling 1-800-701-3672.

Introduction

Ovarian cancer is a type of cancer found in ovaries. Talcum powder has been linked to turning certain cells within the ovaries into cancer-causing cells.

Ovarian cancer is an unchecked proliferation of cells that occur in the reproductive glands of females. These tumors can arise from three main types of cells, which include epithelial cells, germ cells, and stromal cells. Epithelial cells line the surface of the ovaries. Talcum powder may be linked to ovarian epithelial cells turning into ovarian cancer. Epithelial ovarian cancer is the most common type of ovarian cancer, accounting for nearly 90% of all tumors of the ovaries. Symptoms often go undetected, but may result in abnormal vaginal bleeding, abdominal pain, or weight loss. If you suspect that you may have symptoms consistent with ovarian cancer, you should follow up with your primary care physician as these cancers are very dangerous and can spread to other organ systems (metastasis). If you have previously been diagnosed with ovarian cancer, the Hollis Law Firm can assist you in obtaining your pathology report from the hospital to confirm the type of cancer you were diagnosed with.

History of the Case

In light of the Jaqueline Fox lawsuit, additional actions have been filed. Here’s why:

Talcum powder lawsuits are currently being filed against Johnson & Johnson alleging that the company failed to warn women about the risk of developing ovarian cancer when using products, such as baby powder or Shower to Shower®, on or near their genitals. Many of these cases allege that Johnson & Johnson has known about the dangers of genital talcum powder use for decades, and continued to market the product to women despite this knowledge. Presently, hundreds of these cases are pending in St. Louis, Missouri and in New Jersey, where Johnson & Johnson is headquartered.

In February of 2016, a St. Louis jury awarded one woman substantial compensation because of the talc fibers in her ovaries which lead to ovarian cancer. In 2015, a court in California awarded another woman significant compensation for developing mesothelioma after using talc with asbestos in it. If you or a loved one used talcum powder products and were later diagnosed with ovarian cancer or have had respiratory problems, please contact us today. Our legal team and in-office medical staff have won millions for our clients. All information you share with us is free, confidential, and risk free. Call 1-800-701-3672 for a free talcum powder lawsuit review.

 

Injuries Related to Product

As a long-trusted personal care item, talcum powder is a staple in most homes. However, the powder can cause ovarian cancer and respiratory problems, resulting in a talcum powder lawsuit.

 

Talc, the main ingredient in baby or talcum powder, is naturally occurring and consists of magnesium, silicon, hydrogen, and oxygen. Most commercial-quality talc is mined and sold by Imerys, a company that “designs, manufactures, and sells mineral-based specialties that enable customers to improve product performance or process efficiency.” In the US, their Yellowstone open-cast mine in Montana is the country’s largest talc mining operation. When Imerys sells their talc to companies like Johnson & Johnson, the talc is sealed in a bag with the warning that exposure may lead to health problems such as respiratory issues. Up until the 1970’s, talc also carried asbestos, which increases the likelihood of serious health problems like cancer.

Unfortunately for consumers, when they purchase talcum powder products like Johnson’s Baby Powder or Shower to Shower, they have no warning of possible health issues related to the use of talcum powder products despite the only difference between Imerys talc and Johnson’s Baby Powder being some added fragrance. For women who use talcum powder on and around their genitals and were later diagnosed with ovarian cancer, pathology reports have shown talc fibers in their ovaries. Talc fibers have also been found in the lungs of people who used talcum powder on their body in enclosed spaces or used cosmetic products with talcum powder, like face powders or perfume.

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