Talcum Powder Lawsuit

Talcum powder is a soft, naturally-occurring mineral used in personal hygiene products to absorb moisture, dry the skin, reduce friction, combat odor, and prevent rashes. Manufacturer Johnson & Johnson began selling baby powder as one of its first products in 1886, pitching talc as a way to combat diaper rashes in 1894. By 1913, they were marketing their product to mothers interested in hygiene with the slogan: “Best for baby, best for you.”

While natural talc contains asbestos, manufacturing processes dating back to 1970 claimed to remove all traces of the carcinogen. According to Reuters, “J&J didn’t tell the FDA that at least three tests by three different labs from 1972 to 1975 had found asbestos in its talc – in one case at levels reported as ‘rather high.’”

For decades, internal test results were hidden from the public. The first talcum powder lawsuit was filed by a spa worker in Jefferson County, Texas in 1997. The plaintiff ultimately dropped the claim when she was unable to get J&J to release the documents she requested. “When you are the plaintiff, you have the burden of proof. We didn’t have it,” said Darlene Coker’s attorney, Herschel Hobson.

Fast-forward to present time. There are over 10,000 talcum powder lawsuits pending in court. A number of talcum powder lawsuits have succeeded in court so far. Rutter Mills attorneys are accepting claims nationwide from women who believe their regular use of talcum powder caused (or contributed to) their ovarian cancer diagnoses.

Who is eligible to file a talcum powder ovarian cancer lawsuit?

Simply using talcum powder over a period of years is not enough to warrant the pursuit of damages through civil courts. However, if you or a loved one used talcum powder frequently and have recently been diagnosed with ovarian cancer, there may be a link.

In 1971, researchers discovered that 75 percent of the ovarian cancer tumors they examined contained talc particles. A decade later, a Harvard study identified a 30 percent increased risk of ovarian cancer in women who routinely used talcum powder for feminine hygiene. Internal memos show Johnson & Johnson executives knew of the potential risk associated with their product as early as 1997, but felt the risk was too low to justify warnings or product discontinuation. One theory is that the talc powders enter the female reproductive tract, where they cause an inflammatory response, thus making the growth of cancer cells more likely.

One theory is that the talc powders enter the female reproductive tract, where they cause an inflammatory response, thus making the growth of cancer cells more likely.

You may be eligible to file a talcum powder ovarian cancer lawsuit if:

• You used Johnson & Johnson baby powder or Shower to shower.
• You used the product for purposes of perineal dusting or feminine hygiene.
• You used the product consistently – even daily, for years.
• You were diagnosed with epithelial ovarian cancer, which is most closely linked to talc use.
• You are within the statute of limitations for your state.

The statute of limitations for filing a personal injury or product liability lawsuit differs from state to state. In many states, the statute of limitations is two years from the time of injury (your cancer diagnosis). However, all the facts in this case are just now coming to light, so you may not have made the connection between your talc use and your cancer diagnosis. Fortunately, many states allow for “delayed discovery,” meaning that the clock starts ticking once you know or should have known about the link between talcum powder and ovarian cancer. Please call Rutter Mills as soon as possible to discuss how the statute of limitations pertains to your case.

Talcum Powder Cancer Lawsuit Verdicts and Settlements

Over $5 billion has been awarded to talcum powder cancer lawsuit plaintiffs, including:

• 2016 – $72 million jury award in St. Louis to the family of a California woman who died from ovarian cancer.
• 2016 – $70 million jury award to a woman diagnosed with terminal cancer after 40 years of talc use
• 2017 – $417 million to a Los Angeles woman with terminal ovarian cancer, diagnosed in 2007.
• 2017 – $110 million to a Virginia woman diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2012.
• 2018 – $4.69 billion to 22 Missouri women with ovarian cancer (including six decedents) and their families.

This is not to say these lawsuits are a slam-dunk. Many cases have been thrown out of court for “insufficient evidence” and rulings overturned if the proper protocols were not followed. For this reason, it is important to work with a legal team that is familiar with talcum powder lawsuits specifically.

You may be entitled to compensation if you have used Talcum and received one of the following diagnoses:

• Ovarian Cancer
• Epithelial OVCA
• Fallopian Tube Cancer
• Borderline serous or Borderline mucinous tumors
• Endometrial Cancer
• Uterine Cancer
• Invasive/Well-differentiated Mucinous OVCA

If You File A Class Action Lawsuit, Talcum Powder Claims Could Be Lower

A class action lawsuit lumps similar claims together. If a judge agrees the central claim is valid, the dangerous product manufacturer could be ordered to pay a large sum of money, which is then divvied up amongst the claimants. Each plaintiff receives the same amount, regardless of specific injuries or medical costs. In 2018, a talcum powder class action lawsuit was tossed out by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. The grounds for the class action was based on the lack of warning labels, but the plaintiff did not have ovarian cancer, so the case was dismissed as “buyer’s remorse.”

Another way of proceeding is through multi-district litigation (MDL). With MDL 2738, early discovery is streamlined for similar cases to save time. The same judge presides over a series of bellwether trials, which reveal the strengths and weaknesses of the central argument. While early successes may set a precedent, each case has “its day in court.”

If successful, you may receive compensation to cover past, present, and future medical expenses, lost wages and loss of earning potential, emotional pain and suffering, and punitive damages on top of all that. Survivors of loved ones who passed away from ovarian cancer may receive a monetary award for wrongful death, funeral costs, burial expenses, emotional pain and suffering, loss of companionship/guidance, and loss of income. 

Free Consultations Available

Contact Rutter Mills to speak with an attorney who is handling national talcum powder lawsuits. Our experienced personal injury attorneys offer consultations at no cost to you. In fact, we only accept payment for our services if we win a settlement or jury award on your behalf. If your case is unsuccessful, you owe us nothing. There is nothing to lose and everything to gain by exploring your legal options if you are in the process of dealing with a cancer diagnosis.