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Rafael Garcia
5 years ago
Johnson & Johnson is facing thousands of lawsuits claiming the company knew their baby powder could cause cancer. Attorney Jerry Parker, partner in the law firm Parker Waichman LLP, answers the most common questions around the baby powder cancer lawsuits: Can baby powder cause cancer? Based on multiple studies, talc-based baby powder may cause cancer. […]
Johnson & Johnson is facing thousands of lawsuits claiming the company knew their baby powder could cause cancer.
Attorney Jerry Parker, partner in the law firm Parker Waichman LLP, answers the most common questions around the baby powder cancer lawsuits:
Based on multiple studies, talc-based baby powder may cause cancer.
There are several types of ovarian cancers linked to talcum powder use:
The prevailing theory is that talcum powder causes inflammation to develop, which can then potentially cause cell mutations and cancer growth.
Video source: How to file a baby powder talcum powder lawsuit?
Talcum powder is made from a naturally occurring mineral – talc – that is found in the earth. Talc consists of magnesium silicon and oxygen. Talc is an effective moisture absorber that helps to minimize friction and keep the skin dry. It was used in baby powder, and it is still used in cosmetic deodorants and even foods like chewing gum and rice.
It’s also used in many industrial products like paint, paper, pharmaceuticals, rubber, ceramics, things like that. In its natural form some talc may contain asbestos-like fibers.
Talc for the use in powder was first identified in 1894 by Johnson & Johnson and it became their trademark product.
In 1982 a Dr. Daniel Kramer, a professor of obstetrics gynecology and reproductive biology at one of the leading medical schools in the United States, Harvard Medical school, who was also a director of OB/GYN and epidemiology at Brigham Women’s hospital in Boston, conducted one of the earliest studies to suggest a link between genital talc use in women and cancer of the ovaries.
That study was published in 1982. His study found a significant association between genital talc use and ovarian cancer. Since that time there have been more than 30 studies published associating the use of talc and ovarian cancer. And, by the way, when Dr Kramer published his study, Johnson & Johnson apparently was very concerned because Dr. Semple from Johnson & Johnson went to see Dr. Kramer to talk to him about the study.
Now Dr. Kramer’s study found that there was a 92 percent increase in ovarian cancer with women who reported genital talc use. That was very concerning obviously to Johnson & Johnson as it should be. And Dr. Semple went to visit Dr. Kramer to discuss the study at which time Dr. Kramer advised that Johnson & Johnson should place a warning on its baby powder products about ovarian cancer risks so that women could make an informed decision about their health.
That was in 1982-83 when that visit happened and Johnson & Johnson did not put such a warning on their product. Since then there have been 30 – more than 30 – other studies talking about the association of ovarian cancer and the use of Johnson & Johnson’s talc products in and about the genital area.
In 1983 there was another study that found a 150 percent increase in ovarian cancer. In 1988 there was another study that found a 40 percent increase in ovarian cancer if you use talc between one and nine years. Yeah, how about if you use talc for more than nine years? Study cut off after nine years.
In 1989 there was another study that found a 29 percent increase in ovarian cancer if you use talcum powder in the genital area more than once a week. Now what happens if you use it seven days a week? What happens if you use it two times a day? Three times a day? The study didn’t go into that but it makes sense that you’re exposing yourself to more risk, in my opinion.
In 1992 there was another study that found a 80 percent increase in risk of ovarian cancer with more than 10000 lifetime perennial applications of talc demonstrating that there’s a positive dose response relationship. What happens if you use it twice a day? Three times a day? Many women do that, many women use it after each shower. Some women take more than one shower a day.
There’s another study in 92,1992 that reported a 70 percent increase from genital talc use and a 379 percent increased risk and women use talc on sanitary napkins in their genital area. There was an additional study in that same year in 1992 that found an elevated risk for ovarian cancer and women who applied talc-containing powder to the lower abdomen and perineum for longer than three months.
And the studies continue… In 1995 they found a 27 percent increase. It just keeps on going on literally to this day and there’s been several recent studies in the past few years that again continue to confirm the association between Johnson & Johnson’s talc based powder products and ovarian cancer.
More recently there’s been an association found between Johnson & Johnson’s talc products and mesothelioma which is generally a lung cancer. And the basis of that finding is that there’s been finding of asbestos in some of the talc products from Johnson & Johnson.
Numerous scientific research studies – some of which we’ve already discussed – have clearly found that women who frequently use baby powder products for feminine hygiene purposes and specifically Johnson & Johnson talc-based powder products are at a increased risk of developing ovarian cancer.
These studies show that women using baby products have a higher rate of developing ovarian cancer than a person who does not use talc products. I believe I’ve read somewhere that it is believed that 10 of all ovarian cancer is talc related.
There are studies that have shown a link between talcum powder and mesothelioma as a result of asbestos being found in some baby powders. There is also additional research going on right now that is looking into it if there’s any links between talcum powder and cancer of the uterus, stomach lining, and the larynx.
You would want to file a talcum powder lawsuit if you used the Johnson & Johnson talc based powder and you were diagnosed with ovarian cancer or mesothelioma.
The answer why you would want to do that is very simple; it’s very likely that their baby powder caused you to have these terrible diseases: ovarian cancer or mesothelioma.
It’s going to alter your way of life, it’s going to affect your family and people who rely on you and you are entitled to receive compensation for your medical expenses associated with the illness. Also if you’re working, it’s likely you’re going to be missing a lot of work.
A lawsuit will seek compensation to recover all of your lost wages plus it will also seek to receive compensation for the pain, suffering and emotional distress that you are going through as a result of coming down with either ovarian cancer or mesothelioma.
In some states the law even allows your family members certain rights of recovery because of your illness. We have to analyze the damages allowed by your state, come up with the total damages that could be claimed in your individual lawsuit.
This is not a class action, in the United States there’s no class actions for personal injury. Each personal injury lawsuit is your own lawsuit. It’s an individual lawsuit. At times it could be centralized with other similar lawsuits but your lawsuit stands alone and your case will be tried alone.
If you would like to discuss your case with one of our attorneys, feel free to contact us to schedule your free case consultation. Call us today at 1-800-YOUR-LAWYER (1-800-968-7529) or fill out our online contact form.
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