Exposure to harmful substances via contaminated talcum powder products has been linked to an increased risk of developing cancer. Anyone diagnosed with mesothelioma, ovarian cancer, or other cancers following their use of talcum powder (or other talc-containing products) may be eligible for compensation through a talcum powder lawsuit.
Talcum powder is a product that has been used and trusted by millions since its wide distribution began around the turn of the 20th century. It is found in baby powder, cosmetics, crayons, ceramics, and other mass-manufactured products. Talc is also heavily used in certain industrial applications, leading to possible occupational exposure to asbestos.
Anyone who has developed cancer or another chronic health diagnosis connected with talc or asbestos exposure should contact an experienced defective products attorney. The Personal Injury Lawyers ™ can assist you through every step of your lawsuit, helping you maximize your chances of successfully recovering all the damages you have suffered. If you have steep medical bills, reduced income while suffering from a chronic illness, or other forms of financial loss stemming from your diagnosis, contact us today to explore your legal options.
Find out if your case qualifies by taking our eligibility quiz.
Requirements for Filing a Talcum Powder Cancer Lawsuit
To file a lawsuit and claim damages from companies like Johnson & Johnson, you must first establish that you are eligible. For a product liability claim to succeed, the injured party must be prepared to show:
- They used the product in question, as directed
- They received a cancer diagnosis or other diagnosis linked to the product’s ingredients after using it repeatedly
- The medical condition they developed led to treatment expenses and other losses that are being claimed
Most states apply a “strict liability” doctrine to dangerous product cases like these. That designation means that the injury victim only has to prove that they used the product as directed and that the product was unacceptably dangerous. Some states use a negligence-based doctrine instead, meaning that the company must have had knowledge that the product was dangerous or otherwise made the product dangerous because of an unacceptable lapse in their duty of care.
A talcum powder lawyer for dangerous products claims can help you determine if you meet the criteria to sue the company that manufactured, sold, or distributed the product that caused your cancer. The Personal Injury Lawyers ™ does everything in its power to fully investigate your case, determine what parties contributed liability, and calculate the full amount of damages you should be owed.
If your case qualifies for a lawsuit, our mass tort lawyers help you file a Johnson & Johnson baby powder lawsuit claim, or a claim against any other at-fault parties. Our sole goal is to help our clients secure as much money as possible for the suffering they have experienced.
Damages Available in a Baby Powder Lawsuit Claim
The damages you can obtain from a legal claim for baby powder cancer vary depending on your unique circumstances. Eligible claimants may be able to secure the following types of damages from the companies responsible for their medical condition:
- Past medical expenses, including all bills for diagnosis and treatment of your condition caused by exposure to talcum powder
- Projected future medical expenses, including all care that will be necessary, such as surgery, hospitalization, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and more
- Out-of-pocket expenses caused by the condition, such as over-the-counter medicines, durable medical devices, transportation/parking for medical appointments, home modifications made, etc
- Lost wages and income, whether caused by a temporary inability to work or a permanent reduction in your ability to acquire the same wages as prior to the diagnosis
- Replacement of income for deceased injury victims to compensate their family for loss of lifetime earnings
- Pain and suffering damages for the injury victim, and potentially their families, in cases of premature death
- Funeral and burial expenses for family members of cancer patients that have since passed on
- Punitive damages, awarded by juries in cases of severe negligence, reckless disregard for human health, or other cases involving wrongful behavior
Johnson & Johnson Lawsuit Settlements Prove Cancer Victims Have Recourse
Many of the current lawsuits involving talcum powder cancer are related to claims against Johnson & Johnson. Manufacturer of the world’s most popular baby powder brand, Johnson & Johnson also supplied raw talc materials and finished products that other companies marketed and sold under different brand names.
In 2018, a Missouri court found J&J responsible for causing ovarian cancer in 22 plaintiffs, ordering them to pay $4.7 billion in damages. On appeal, the award was more than halved to $2.1 billion in 2019. J&J sought to bring further appeals to the U.S. Supreme Court, but the Supreme Court denied a hearing in 2021, effectively leaving J&J no recourse except to pay the damages.
In July 2023, a New Jersey-based Federal Bankruptcy judge objected to J&J’s plan to bankrupt a particular unit and then spin off $8.9 billion to contribute to a settlement fund for all current and future claims against the company related to talcum powder cancer. Since then, cancer claims against Johnson & Johnson have skyrocketed, with over 11,000 cases pending in various jurisdictions.
The pharmaceutical and beauty products company pulled and discontinued all talc-containing products in 2020. Previously, the company had issued a massive recall in 2019 after some products were found to have been contaminated with asbestos, a cancer-causing substance.
The Link Between Talcum Powder, Ovarian Cancer, and Other Cancers
The majority of cases against Johnson & Johnson and other products manufacturers involve claims that the use of their baby powder — or other talcum-powder-containing products — directly led to their later development of cancer.
Many women used talcum powder to maintain dryness, reduce friction, and avoid other unpleasantness throughout the day by applying it to their genital area. This type of use was actively encouraged through marketing strategies and advertising messaging for decades,. Further, companies like Johnson & Johnson were aware that their talc supplies had asbestos contamination, according to a 2018 investigation by Reuters.
Asbestos is a known cancer-causing material. Its composition of microscopic fibers can splinter so small that they may actually interfere with cellular division and DNA replication. Repeated inhalation of asbestos fibers has been shown to directly lead to mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer affecting the lining of the lungs and other major organs.
Similarly, the use of talcum powder on the genital area is thought to have led to the accidental introduction of talc particles to the female reproductive organs, leading to an increased risk of ovarian cancer.
Other recent verdicts show that juries are willing to accept that the use of talcum powder and exposure to talc directly led to cancer in plaintiffs. These include:
- July 2023: A $18.8 million verdict awarded against J&J to a man in California who developed pericardial mesothelioma after using talc powder for decades
- March 2023: A $29.14 million verdict in California awarded against supplier Whittaker, Clark & Daniels for a woman who developed mesothelioma after exposure to talc in cosmetics
- December 2022: A $40 million verdict in California against Avon Products, Inc., awarded to a woman who developed mesothelioma after exposure to talk in beauty products and cosmetics
What to Do If You Suspect You Have Developed Cancer After Exposure to Talcum Powder
Talc exposure carries a strong risk of developing cancer, including ovarian cancer, mesothelioma, and other cancers. If you suspect that you have cancer — or you already have a cancer diagnosis — after repeated use of a talc-containing product, you may have legal recourse to hold manufacturers responsible.
Taking the steps below can boost your chances of a successful talc cancer products liability claim.
1. Discontinue Use, and Save the Product or Receipts
If you have symptoms of ovarian cancer, mesothelioma, or other cancers, immediately discontinue your use of baby powder and other products that may contain talc.
Talc is found in a surprising number of products, in fact, which include:
- Baby powder
- Body powder, including Gold Bond
- Lipsticks
- Foundation, concealers, and other makeup
- Paint
- Ceramics
- Roofing materials
- Supplements
- Paper products
- Rubber
- Crayons
- Deodorant
- Certain medications
If you are unsure if your product contains talc, check the labeling or contact the manufacturer for further information.
Seal all products in a plastic bag or other airtight container. Do not discard, as they demonstrate proof of use. Additionally, locate any receipts or other proofs of purchase that show that you purchased the products that contain harmful contaminants.
2. Get a Full Medical Diagnosis
Always investigate any changes in your bodily functions, especially worrisome symptoms. You will need a full diagnosis of a condition that has been linked to exposure to asbestos or talc in order to proceed with your injury claim. Go to a medical provider that can provide a full examination and workup, such as a primary care physician, cancer screening facility, oncology specialist, or other clinic that offers cancer diagnostics.
Have your history of talc use and exposure noted on your documentation, if possible, and try to trace a full history of your symptoms with the help of your medical provider.
3. Reach out to Experienced Products Liability Attorneys
The Personal Injury Lawyers ™ is available to help you fully investigate your talc cancer case and assemble all of the factors needed to maximize your chances of successful damages recovery. Having your own talcum powder lawsuit attorney makes the entire process easier, while also giving you a resource to investigate, document, and research your case.
The personal injury law firm you hire can also help you present a valid claim or lawsuit seeking all appropriate damages. We will help you estimate your damages, in full, including projecting the future costs of your treatment and any reductions in income you will experience as a result of your cancer diagnosis.
Further, we will handle interactions with the company responsible for your condition on your behalf. Our guidance and legal counsel helps you avoid common mistakes, such as making a statement to the responsible party that could jeopardize your claim. At the same time, we keep you informed of your legal options and the progress of your case, keeping you in control of the key decisions all along the way.
4. Calculate Your Damages, in Full
You will want to claim the full extent of all damages you have suffered, including every dollar spent on medical care as well as reductions in your earnings since your diagnosis. We will help you uncover the full extent of your damages by helping you retrieve old medical documentation while helping you calculate the difference in take-home earnings following your diagnosis. We can also help you create a “pain journal” that documents the extent of physical discomfort, mental anguish, and other internal suffering you are experiencing as a result of your condition and your inability to participate in activities you once valued.
5. File a Lawsuit Seeking Damages From All Responsible Parties
Once your damages are known, the next step is to identify all parties responsible for your exposure to harmful substances. These named parties may include:
- The product’s manufacturer
- The product’s distributor
- The distributor of raw materials used to create the product
- The retailer that sold you the product
- The lab that tested or helped develop the product
All appropriate parties will be named in your lawsuit that seeks the maximum damages allowed under the law.
Work With the Talcum Powder Law Firm That Wants to Help You Recover
The Personal Injury Lawyers ™ is dedicated to helping its clients on their journey to recover the losses they have experienced. We aren’t afraid to stand up to big companies, and we have a history of winning millions in settlements and court awards for our clients. Come to us for seasoned and dedicated legal representation, which will stop at nothing to exhaust every option on our quest to get you the money you need to recover your damages.
Find out more about how much your case would be worth and what legal options are available during a free, no-obligation case review. Call (312) 999-9990 or contact us online to schedule a free, confidential case evaluation with no obligation today.
