Talcum Powder
Resources
Talcum Powder Ovarian Cancer Lawsuit
Have you or a loved one been diagnosed with ovarian cancer after using Baby Powder or Shower to Shower for genital dusting?
Studies have evidenced a potential link between talcum powder and ovarian cancer. The experienced lawyers at Goldenberg Lauricella, PLLC can help you with your talcum powder ovarian cancer lawsuit. We’ll make sure you’re represented fairly and accurately so you can leave the sleepless nights to us. Contact our Talcum Powder Ovarian Cancer Lawyers today.
Can Talcum Powder Really Cause Cancer?
Studies dating back to 1971 have continued to evidence a potential link between talcum powder and ovarian cancer. Further, internal company documents produced during litigation have shown the company knew its talcum powder contained trace amounts of asbestos in the 1970s. However, until the talcum powder was taken off the market in 2019, Johnson & Johnson has continued to use talcum powder in its Baby Powder and Shower to Shower products. As a result, millions of consumers were put at risk. If you’ve used one of these products and have contracted ovarian cancer, contact Goldenberg Lauricella, PLLC to discuss a Talcum Powder Ovarian cancer lawsuit.
Need To Speak With A Talcum Powder Lawyer?
Call Goldenberg Lauricella Today
Talcum Powder and Cancer: Case Quick Facts
The Problem
Depending on usage, women who genitally dust with talcum powder may be almost three times as likely to develop ovarian cancer due to long-term irritation of the ovaries and the actual presence of talcum fibers within ovarian tissue.
The Injuries
Ovarian cancer is a devastating disease for both the patient and her loved ones. Diagnosis often results in chemotherapy, radiation, surgical intervention, and death.
The Defendant(s)
Johnson & Johnson, one of the world’s largest companies, manufactures and distributes Baby Powder and Shower to Shower. Despite the trust placed in the company by women all across America, J&J never warned of the increased risk of ovarian cancer from genital dusting of talc even though it was aware of the potential link for more than three decades.
Litigation Status – Active Thousands of women from across the country have filed lawsuits alleging their ovarian cancer was caused by use of J&J’s talcum powder products. Litigation was ongoing in St. Louis, Missouri, where six separate trials have resulted in three jury verdicts awarding over $4.9 billion, and a Multidistrict Litigation was formed in the District of New Jersey. However, all litigation proceedings are currently stayed as J&J attempts to settle its Talcum Powder lawsuits through the bankruptcy system.
Minnesota Talcum Powder Attorneys
When it comes to handling a talcum powder and ovarian cancer lawsuit, our team is more than qualified to take on the case. The Minnesota Talcum Powder Attorneys at Goldenberg Lauricella, PLLC have over 38 years of experience successfully litigating defective product cases. We have been representing women injured by Talcum Powder since 2014 and will continue to fight until J&J is held accountable. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with ovarian cancer after using talcum powder, contact us today for a free talcum powder lawsuit consultation. Do I Qualify?
Talcum Powder Litigation Timeline
October 2019:Talcum Powder Recall
J&J pulls talc products from the market in the U.S. and Canada and Plaintiffs’ expert witnesses are allowed to testify in the MDL.
On October 18, 2019, Johnson & Johnson announced it was recalling 33,000 bottles of talcum powder after testing by the US Food & Drug Administration (FDA) found trace amounts of asbestos in the products. The explosive recall announcement comes as J&J faces thousands of lawsuits claiming its talcum powder contains asbestos. Thousands of claimants have argued that regular exposure to the baby powder has caused them to develop ovarian cancer and mesothelioma.
The recall marks the first time J&J has recalled its signature baby powder and comes just under a year after a Reuters investigation found the company had known for decades that its talcum powder had tested for small amounts of asbestos. That investigation examined thousands of internal J&J documents that showed the company had found asbestos in its talc dating back to 1972 but failed to warn consumers. One of these tests reported the asbestos levels as “rather high.”
Then, on May 19, 2020, Johnson & Johnson announced their decision to discontinue sales of their talc-based Baby Powder products in the United States and Canada.
Although the decision to discontinue sales of talc-based Baby Powder products comes amidst a firestorm of lawsuits claiming that the product contains asbestos and causes ovarian cancer, Johnson & Johnson claims that it was a “commercial decision.” The company claims that the commercial decision is based on the 60% decline in sales of talc-based Baby Powder since 2017 as a result of consumer habits changing—likely due to the multitude of lawsuits filed over the safety of the product.
The Talcum Powder lawsuits against Johnson & Johnson’s talc-based Baby Powder allege that the products caused ovarian cancer in thousands of women across the country.
The firestorm increased when the lawsuits revealed internal company records and trial evidence that show that since at least 1971 to the early 2000s, Johnson & Johnson’s raw talc and finished talc powders sometimes tested positive for small amounts of asbestos and that the company was aware of this.
Additionally, Johnson & Johnson has been the target of a federal criminal investigation into the lack of transparency surrounding the safety of their talc products—including a Congressional subcommittee investigation about the health of asbestos in talc-containing consumer products. Furthermore, 41 states have opened investigations into Johnson & Johnson’s Baby Powder.
April 2020:MDL Allows Talcum Powder Experts
Judge Wolfson’s Daubert Ruling on Plaintiffs’ Expert Witnesses
US District Judge Freda Wolfson who oversees the New Jersey-based multidistrict litigation (MDL) containing more than 16,000 talcum powder lawsuits ruled that testimony from five plaintiffs’ expert witnesses could be presented to juries.
This is the first ruling by a federal judge on the reliability of plaintiffs’ experts testifying about whether or not Johnson & Johnson’s talc-based baby powder causes ovarian cancer.
The ruling means that plaintiffs’ experts will be able to testify before juries that Johnson & Johnson’s talc-based products can contribute to the development of ovarian cancer.
There are more than 16,000 talcum powder cases that have been consolidated into the MDL overseen by Judge Wolfson and a selection of these cases will be chosen for early “bellwether” trials.
Bellwether trials aid in determining the strength of each side’s case and aid in the potential settlement process.
October 2021:First Talcum Powder Bankruptcy
J&J Spins Off Talc Liability Into LTL
In October 2021, Johnson & Johnson spun off its talcum powder lawsuit liability into a subsidiary company known as LTL Management. LTL then promptly utilized a controversial legal technique known as the “Texas Two Step” to file for bankruptcy, thus sending all talcum powder lawsuits into bankruptcy with it.
After New Jersey Bankruptcy Judge Michael Kaplan ruled that the talcum powder cases should stay in bankruptcy court, plaintiffs’ appealed to the Third Circuit Court of Appeals arguing that LTL is not in financial distress and therefore is not deserving of the relief provided by bankruptcy.
January 2023:Appeal Revives Talcum Powder Lawsuits
Third Circuit Court of Appeals Rules In Favor of Talc Plaintiffs, Reverses Bankruptcy Order
April 2023:Talcum Powder Settlement Proposed
J&J Announces Talcum Powder Settlement Through A Second Bankruptcy Attempt
On April 5, 2023, J&J announced that LTL would re-file for bankruptcy and allocate $8.9 billion to resolve all Talcum Powder lawsuits. J&J claimed it had an agreement with over 60,000 claimants agreeing to resolve their Talcum Powder lawsuits under the proposed settlement. However, there is no way to verify the accuracy of that claim at the time of the announcement. The announcement came hours after Judge Kaplan dismissed LTL’s first bankruptcy filing pursuant to the Third Circuit Court of Appeals’ ruling. As a result of the new bankruptcy filing, Judge Kaplan issued another stay in the Talcum Powder litigation that prevents any further litigation while the new case moves through the bankruptcy court.
Judge Kaplan has held hearings on April 11 and April 18 regarding LTL latest bankruptcy filing. The US Trustee’s Office will now be working to form a new Talc Claimants Committee to represent the interests of Talcum Powder claimants in the bankruptcy proceeding.
The Talcum Powder Attorneys at Goldenberg Lauricella have put together answers to Frequently Asked Questions on the proposed Talcum Powder settlement. Click here to learn more about J&J’s proposed Talcum Powder settlement and the next steps in the bankruptcy case.
July 2023:J&J's Second Bankruptcy Attempt Dismissed
Bankruptcy Court Dismisses J&J’s Second Attempt At Using Bankruptcy To Resolve Litigation
On July 28, U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Michael Kaplan ruled that LTL Management was not in imminent financial distress and dismissed its second attempt at resolving the talcum powder litigation via bankruptcy. The ruling is a significant victory for talcum powder claimants seeking to have their case heard in a court of law as opposed to having the outcome determine through a bankruptcy proceeding. Judge Kaplan is expected to formally issue the dismissal the first week of August 2023. Once the order goes into effect, the stay placed on the majority of talcum powder lawsuits will be lifted and litigation can continue in venues across the country. Plaintiffs attorneys continue to press for moving forward with bellwether trials in the Multi-District Litigation in New Jersey, where over 38,000 cases are currently on file.
Some Substitutes for Talcum Powder
Given mounting evidence against the safe day-to-day use of talcum powder, here are three substitutes for its common household applications:
- Talcum Powder Substitute No. 1: Instead of using a talc-based product to soothe diaper rash, the Mayo Clinic suggests keeping the affected area exceptionally clean, allowing oxygen to reach the rash by letting baby go without a diaper for several brief periods throughout the day, and treating extremely irritated skin with zinc oxide ointment.
- Talcum Powder Substitute No. 2: Children and adults who struggle with chapped or chafed skin can treat the condition with common corn starch, baking soda, or rice flour.
- Talcum Powder Substitute No. 3: Instead of using talcum powder to help keep makeup looking fresh, begin your beauty regimen with a tinted moisturizer, which can serve as a primer for your cosmetics and often has the added bonus of SPF protection.
Frequently Asked Questions
Goldenberg Lauricella is dedicated to obtaining justice for our talcum powder clients and their families. We have over 38 years of experience handling defective product cases, and we have been fighting for Talcum Powder clients since 2014. We will continue fighting until all clients have obtained justice.
Free Talcum Powder Lawsuit Consultations
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with ovarian cancer as a result of talcum powder use, please contact the Minneapolis team of Talcum Powder Lawyers at Goldenberg Lauricella today. Call us today at 1-800-903-1643 for a free Talcum Powder lawsuit consultation. We have been representing victims of talcum powder since 2014. We have the expertise you need to bring a talcum powder lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson. Contact us today and leave the sleepless nights to us.
Trusted By The Legal Community
Awards and Recognitions
We Truly Care The Goldenberg Lauricella
Difference
Kindness Is Strength
With us, you matter most. This team spends the time to ensure clients like you get to rest and leave the sleepless nights to us.
Accountability Is Bravery
We live and breathe what we do, and we don’t stop until the responsible party is held liable.
Leadership Is Trust
Our firm has been trusted to lead roles within some of the nation’s largest litigations.
Knowledge Is Power
Our firm is focused on the science of the case and applying it to helping our clients recover.