AUSTIN, Texas. The New York Times reports that 22 women and their families will receive $4.7 billion in a lawsuit that claims that asbestos in Johnson & Johnson’s talcum powder products resulted in the women’s ovarian cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, talcum powder that contains asbestos is listed as carcinogenic to humans, while talcum powder that does not contain asbestos is listed as “possibly carcinogenic to humans.” The $4.7 billion lawsuit claims that Johnson & Johnson was aware of the presence of asbestos in its talcum powder products but did not properly warn users of the risk.
So, is talcum powder dangerous or is it safe? According to the American Cancer Society, while there have been studies that have shown a link between talcum powder use and ovarian cancer, these studies are far from conclusive. Many of the talcum powder lawsuits we hear about involve claims that talcum powder itself could cause ovarian cancer. The American Cancer Society and scientists are still studying the effects of talcum powder on the human body. The organization notes on its website that individuals might want to limit their use of these products until more information is available.
However, sometimes talcum is mined in areas where there is also asbestos. Asbestos is a known carcinogen that is linked to lung cancer and other cancers. When talcum powder contains asbestos, it can be deadly.
Johnson & Johnson claims that its products do not contain asbestos. However, it wasn’t until the 1970s that asbestos was completely removed from commercial talc products. The recent lawsuit claims that Johnson & Johnson was aware that its products contained asbestos. The company disputes this claim.
While many women believe that their ovarian cancer is linked to talcum powder use, lawyers are using a tactic where they try the case using smaller groups of women. The New York Times claims that this method allows the women to have names and faces rather than being reduced to statistics in a larger class action lawsuit.
The results for lawsuits against talcum powder manufacturers have been mixed. Some women win their cases while others do not. As more scientific evidence emerges about talcum powder and its cancer risk, these cases could become stronger or weaker, depending on what the science says.
If you used talcum powder and went on to develop ovarian cancer, you may have certain rights under the law. The Robson Law Firm are personal injury lawyers in Austin, Texas who work closely with individuals and families injured in a range of situations—from car accidents to medical malpractice. If you believe that your illness resulted from talcum powder use, consider contacting a personal injury lawyer like the Robson Law Firm today. As more of these cases are won, lawyers can use tactics similar to the cases that were successful to help women and their families seek justice. Visit us at https://robsonlawfirm.com/ to learn more.
Robson Law Firm
1114 Lost Creek Boulevard
Suite 440
Austin, TX 78746
Phone: (512) 345-8200