Asbestos has caused suffering and pain to many individuals. Its presence in makeup products makes it even harder to avoid asbestos related-injury.
Popular makeup giant Revlon is the latest company to be named in a lawsuit for asbestos-related mesothelioma. A Maryland couple is suing the company on the grounds that its Jean Nate talcum powder product has asbestos in it.
The couple, Laura McDaniel and her husband, filed suit at the end of February in a New York state court. McDaniel is seeking damages after she was diagnosed with mesothelioma in January 2020. Her father was an employee at Revlon, and McDaniel believes her mesothelioma is linked to his time with the company, when he would return home with asbestos-contaminated clothes.
The McDaniels claim that Revlon knew its products were likely to be contaminated with asbestos but failed to warn the public of this possibility and of the cancer risk associated with using products made by the company.
Johnson & Johnson Sued on Same Grounds
This is not the first time a major cosmetics and lifestyle brand has been sued for asbestos in its products. Johnson & Johnson has found itself in hot water for years because of asbestos in its talcum powder products.
The first mention of asbestos in Johnson & Johnson products was in the 1970’s. Since then there have a been a number of suits against the company.
In April 2020, a New Jersey judge ruled that women could file their claims against the cosmetics giant for talc products that may have caused ovarian or uterine cancer. The cosmetics giant faces as many as 16,000 lawsuits across the country all alleging the same thing: that its talc products have led to various types of female genital cancer.
It’s already been subjected to multiple suits. In January 2020, it was sued by the state of New Mexico for the carcinogenic asbestos found in its baby powder. In February 2020, the company paid $9 million to an 82-year-old Florida woman who allegedly developed mesothelioma after using Johnson & Johnson talc products.
One of the largest asbestos talc payouts was 2018, when a jury ordered Johnson & Johnson to pay more than $4 billion to 22 women diagnosed with ovarian cancer.
What is Asbestos?
Asbestos, in its natural form, is found in rock and soil. It’s a mineral fiber that finds its way into our workplaces, schools and homes as part of insulation and building materials. It was widely used in industrial, commercial, as well as domestic settings. Shipyards and trains are laden with asbestos.
While there are naturally occurring asbestos deposits in several states in the US, asbestos has insidiously worked its way into people’s homes. Owing to negligent usage, it can now even be found on people’s dressers.
Asbestos can be lethal when fibers break loose and are inhaled. It can cause various lung diseases, including:
- Lung cancer: one of the most common cancers in the world. Lung cancer causes the largest number of deaths related to asbestos exposure.
- Mesothelioma: a rare form of cancer occurring in the thin lining of the lungs, chest abdomen, or heart.
- Asbestosis: a serious, chronic, non-cancerous respiratory disease that has no effective treatment. It’s usually disabling or fatal.
Asbestos can also damage the human body in other ways. Asbestos-based talcum powder has been linked to ovarian and uterine cancer in women. Cancers of the esophagus, larynx, oral cavity, stomach, colon, and kidney may also be caused by asbestos.
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Companies Putting Profits Over People
Cosmetics and hygiene product companies have been extremely careless about ensuring the safety of their products and making sure they are asbestos-free. This has resulted in many class action lawsuits against major companies.
Some major companies that are being sued for manufacturing/selling asbestos-laden talc products include:
- Johnson & Johnson
- CVS
- Rite Aid
- Angel of Mine
- Family Dollar
- Anti Monkey Butt
- Colgate-Palmolive
We Can Help You
The lawyers at Pintas & Mullins specialize in personal injury cases. If you have been injured due to a talc-based product, or any asbestos-related injury, we can provide you expert guidance and compassionate representation. We represent hundreds of clients for lung cancer and mesothelioma cases. If you or someone you love was diagnosed with one of these cancers, contact our firm immediately for a free case review. We can help you get the settlement you deserve, and won’t charge a fee unless you win your case.
Call or text 800-934-6555 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
