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In the past few years, Johnson & Johnson has faced many lawsuits from women who allegedly developed ovarian cancer from using the company’s baby powder. While originally marketed to babies, Johnson & Johnson began marketing to families in the 1970s. Many women used Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder in the vaginal area to reduce wetness and odors so they can feel fresh.
This freshness has come at a price for many women. Talcum powder contains asbestos, and in 2006, the International Agency for Research on Cancer determined that the substance was probably carcinogenic to humans. According to research, when a woman uses Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder in her genital area, talc particulates could migrate to the ovaries. This could cause an inflammatory response and ultimately, ovarian cancer.
Johnson & Johnson in Court
Johnson & Johnson has been in court numerous times since 2013 in an attempt to defend itself against lawsuits from women who claim that the company’s talcum powder has led to their ovarian cancer diagnosis. The company was first found negligent in a court case in 2013. Two class-action lawsuits followed in 2014. Two women won multi-million-dollar verdicts in 2016.
In June 2019, Johnson & Johnson saw its 11th loss. The company, along with Colgate-Palmolive Co., was ordered to pay a total of $10 million to a California woman who developed mesothelioma from baby powder use. It was Johnson & Johnson’s second trial loss in just two weeks. However, the company plans to appeal the verdict because it does not believe its baby powder contains asbestos or cause cancer. The company is facing 14,000 more similar lawsuits.
Johnson & Johnson has not lost every trial, however. The company prevailed in seven trials. The company settled four cases, while jurors deadlocked in three others. Some of the verdicts awarded to plaintiffs have been overturned. Others are in the process of being appealed. So there is a significant amount of court activity regarding these talcum powder claims.
The verdicts are not based on whether Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder causes ovarian cancer. While a jury cannot decide if the tiny amounts of asbestos found in talcum powder might cause ovarian cancer, they could determine whether Johnson & Johnson knew about the possibility of asbestos and decided not to warn consumers. According to an investigation, they knew for decades—at least since 1971. Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder was considered a symbol of safety and trust for many Americans, and the company ruined this image by putting consumers in harm’s way
Contact an Illinois Talcum Powder and Ovarian Cancer Lawyer Today
Thousands of women have developed ovarian cancer through the use of talcum powder. If you used Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder on a regular basis, you could end up with the fatal disease.
Johnson & Johnson never warned women of the risks. They still deny blame to this day. Get the compensation you deserve with help from a skilled Chicago talcum powder and ovarian cancer lawyer at the office of Harvey L. Walner & Associates, LTD. We are not afraid to stand up for your rights and hold Johnson & Johnson liable. Fill out the online request form or call (312) 313-2888 to schedule a consultation.
