According to a research study published by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), you can get cancer from talcum powder when used for personal feminine hygiene.
Using talcum powder may also increase your risk of getting lung cancer from breathing talcum powder that contains asbestos, a known carcinogen.
Cancer Lawsuits Against Talcum Powder Producer
Johnson & Johnson first began marketing talcum powder around 1893. Soon, the company became known for its absorbent “baby powder” that was recommended to prevent diaper rash. Johnson & Johnson also promoted baby powder and similar self-care items, such as Shower to Shower, as feminine hygiene products.
More than 100,000 lawsuits were filed against Johnson & Johnson, according to the Wall Street Journal, including talcum powder cancer lawsuits.
In 2018, 22 women filed a lawsuit alleging that using Johnson & Johnson’s talcum powder caused them to develop cancer. A Missouri jury awarded the plaintiffs $4.7 billion in damages, according to The Washington Post.
Research Shows Credible Link Between Talcum Powder and Cancer
While Johnson & Johnson claims that their talcum powder is not linked to an increased risk of cancer, some research studies suggest otherwise:
- The African American Cancer Epidemiology Study (AACES) found that 63 percent of African American women of similar ages who developed ovarian cancer regularly used talcum powder on their genital region.
- A study conducted by a grant from the American Journal of Epidemiology found that women who regularly used talcum powder were 33 percent more likely to develop ovarian cancer.
Talc is a natural mineral that may contain asbestos, which is linked to lung cancer, mesothelioma, and other malignant diseases.
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Some Suggest Johnson & Johnson Was Aware of Cancer Risk
The Reuters News service reported that despite its public denials of cancer risk, Johnson & Johnson “knew for decades that asbestos lurked in its baby powder.”
We may never know if the company knew that you could get cancer from talcum powder. If you or a loved one used talcum powder on your genitals and you received a diagnosis of ovarian or uterine cancer, you could be entitled to compensation for your medical bills and other damages.
Cancers Associated with Talcum Powder
The American Cancer Society suggests that consumers should avoid talcum powder for personal hygiene from an abundance of caution.
Cancers that are linked to talcum powder use include:
- Ovarian cancer
- Uterine cancer
- Other cancers of the female reproductive organs
- Lung cancer
- Mesothelioma, a type of cancer that usually begins in the lung’s lining
A personal injury lawyer who handles talcum powder cancer lawsuits may be able to help you recover damages.
How You Could Pursue Compensation
If you used talcum powder and received a diagnosis of cancer, you have a couple of options for pursuing compensation. You could file an individual personal injury lawsuit against the talcum powder manufacturers. You could also be one of several plaintiffs in a class-action lawsuit against the manufacturer.
Either way, it is in your best interest to discuss your case with a lawyer. Each state has its own statute of limitations and you must file a lawsuit before this deadline expires.
A Lawyer Can Establish Liability
There are a few conditions that must be met to pursue compensation in this type of case:
- Establish a duty of care that Johnson & Johnson (the likely defendant in a talcum powder cancer lawsuit) should have taken reasonable measures to prevent you from harm, such as labeling the product with a warning about the potential cancer risk.
- Show how this duty of care was breached, by the company failing to provide proper warning to consumers.
- Show causation of injuries from this negligent behavior.
- Prove damages from these injuries.
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Your Right to Recover Compensation
Each case is different. Compensatory damages are affected by several factors, but in general, the following are some of the more common damages in a personal injury lawsuit:
- Medical care and treatment, both current and future
- Loss of income and/or diminished earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Lifecare expenses
- Loss of companionship or consortium
- Other related out-of-pocket costs
If you lost a loved one to cancer and believe that talcum powder contributed to the cause of death, you may be entitled to wrongful death compensation.
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You did not choose to get ovarian cancer, but you may be entitled to compensation if baby powder was a factor. Call Pintas & Mullins Law Firm for a free consultation at (800) 217-6099.
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