Johnson & Johnson Cancer Link: Talcum Powder Lawsuits

Does talcum powder cause cancer?

Right now it seems like the answer is yes.

The International Journal of Gynecological Cancer has found that the regular use of talcum powder in the female genital area can increase a woman’s risk of ovarian cancer by as much as 60 percent. If recent court rulings are any indication, the courts agree with their assessment.

Johnson & Johnson, the manufacturer of several talcum powder products, was hit with a jury verdict of over $70 million for it’s “negligent conduct” in the making and marketing of Baby Powder (a talc based product) and it’s part in causing cancer in a Modesto woman. This is the third verdict handed down against the Pharmaceutical giant, totaling nearly $200 million, with lawsuits from more than 2,000 other women pending.

Why Is Johnson & Johnson the Subject of Talcum Powder Lawsuits?

Nearly every suit alleges that Johnson & Johnson has known about the link between talcum powder and ovarian cancer for over 40 years, yet continued to actively market it’s use in the genital area and provided no warning to consumers. For years, the company marketed Baby Powder for safe use on sanitary napkins and in the female genital area to reduce moisture and odor.

Cancer Lawsuits Against Johnson & Johnson

While Johnson & Johnson still faces lawsuits from over 2,000 women nationwide, verdicts in three major cases have already been reached against them.

Missouri:  In October 2016, Deborah Giannechini of Modesto, California was awarded more than $70 million by a Missouri jury for her 2012 ovarian cancer diagnosis.   Ms. Giannechini reportedly used Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder for four decades.

In May 2016, a different Missouri jury awarded Gloria Ristesund  $55 million when they agreed that her ovarian cancer was a result of her use of Baby Powder.

New Jersey:  In February 2016, the first major jury verdict was handed to Johnson & Johnson.  The family of Jacqueline Fox was awarded $72 million dollars in compensation for the ovarian cancer that claimed her life.  This included $10 million in damages and $62 million in punitive damages, $1 million for each year of her life.

How Do I File a Talcum Powder Lawsuit?

Lawsuits continue to be filed against Johnson & Johnson in areas all over the United States. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with ovarian cancer and regularly used Johnson & Johnson’s Baby Powder or any other talcum powder product, you may be eligible for a claim.

To be eligible for a lawsuit, all of the following conditions must be present:

• Your cancer must be an ovarian-type cancer.  Additionally, you must not have a genetic disorder pre-disposing you to ovarian cancer.  These disorders include Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer Syndrome (HBOC) and genetic genetic traits known as BRCA1, BRCA2 and BRCA3. 
• You must have used the Johnson & Johnson talcum powder product Baby Powder in the genital area for a period of at least five years.
• A positive biopsy showing evidence of talcum powder in ovarian tissue.

If all these conditions are present, or if you have had a recent diagnosis and would like to know more, contact a Johnson & Johnson talcum powder lawsuit attorney.  Johnson & Johnson needs to be held accountable for their negligent actions and their part causing ovarian cancer in thousands of women across the country.

To get in touch with a qualified attorney, leave a comment.