Talcum is a naturally occurring silicate found in baby powder, cosmetics, condoms, sanitary napkins, diaphragms, and other household products. It has been linked to ovarian cancer and has a very similar structure, created in similar conditions, and found in the same locations as naturally occurring asbestos – which is a known carcinogen that has also been used in many of the same products.
Research shows that if talcum powder enters the ovaries through the vagina, uterus, and fallopian tubes, it increases the chances of cancer cell growth in the reproductive system.
If you have used products with talcum – especially in a way that has made direct contact with your reproductive area – and you have been diagnosed with ovarian cancer, find out if you qualify right away!
So far, Johnson and Johnson have paid out over $2 Billion in awards and settlements. There are still 38,000 pending cases. Check out the case overview and eligibility guide to see if you qualify.
Johnson & Johnson has been running a smear campaign against those who seek justice against the pharmaceutical giant by trying to claim the safety of talcum through their own funded research. Meanwhile, decades of studies show a link between talcum and ovarian cancer.
In March 2019, the House Subcommittee on Economic and Consumer Policy launched an investigation into the dangers of asbestos in talc-based products. In May of the following year, Johnson & Johnson relented their stance and changed the ingredients of their baby powder to remove the dangerous substance.
“Today, in a major victory for public health, Johnson & Johnson’s asbestos-containing baby powder finally will be taken off store shelves,” said Subcommittee Chairman, Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi. “My Subcommittee’s 14-month investigation revealed that Johnson & Johnson knew for decades that its product contains asbestos and the company fought to keep using a testing method that never would have allowed it to be detected. Today’s victory means that children and families no longer will be endangered by this baby powder.”
The lawsuit against personal hygiene giants like Johnson & Johnson alleges that talcum manufacturers failed to warn their consumers of the dangers of talcum powder. The lawsuit also claims that these manufacturers have known about the link between ovarian cancer and talcum powder for over 40 years. Find out if you qualify for compensation from this massive lawsuit.
If you meet the following criteria, you may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, financial damages, and more. To find out more, check your eligibility.
In the case of Chapman v Avon in California, Rita Chapman was awarded $50 million in damages for her cancer that she says was caused by talcum powder in their products. The Las Angeles Superior Court jury found Avon responsible for not effectively warning its clientele about the dangers of their product.
Meanwhile, a federal court of appeals is weighing whether or not Johnson and Johnson can avoid paying damages due to bankruptcy filings. This story is ongoing.
In a report from Bloomberg, cosmetic and pharmaceutical companies are filing bankruptcy in order to avoid paying out their lawsuits.
“The idea that the bankruptcy system is a solution to problems with other legal systems is a very bizarre concept to say the least,” University of North Carolina law professor, Melissa Jacoby, said on the Nov. 3 episode of Bloomberg Intelligence’s FICC Focus State of Distressed Debt podcast.
Currently, higher courts are weighing objections to the use of injunctions in bankruptcy to temporarily put a stop to lawsuits while the company uses Chapter 11 protection to settle the suits en masse. Jacoby says this strategy, while “bizarre” could have a major effect on tort law.
U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Michael Kaplan in Trenton, New Jersey put a temporary halt on lawsuits against Johnson & Johnson in New Mexico and Mississippi. This move was made so the courts can examine the validity of Johnson & Johnson’s request to settle lawsuits among a Chapter 11 Bankruptcy filing. This story is ongoing.