Talcum Baby Powder and Ovarian Cancer
In the last decade research has found that the talc in body powder and washes can cause ovarian cancer when used for feminine hygiene. The talc used in this area can permeate the female reproductive system while remaining intact. This can cause an inflammatory response and increase one’s likelihood of developing cancer. Many talcum powder products also have been found to contain asbestos, which is also linked to the development of ovarian cancer and other dangerous conditions. Johnson & Johnson, the leading producer of talc-based hygiene products in the United States, has known about these risks for some time but has never warned users of their products and are now being sued by users who have developed ovarian cancer. Over the last few years, multiple juries have found Johnson & Johnson responsible for failing to warn users of their products about the risks of ovarian cancer, and issued judgments in the tens of millions of dollars.
If you or a loved one have used talcum powder for feminine hygiene and been diagnosed with ovarian cancer, contact us today for a free evaluation of your case. You can reach us using the form below, or call us at 800-401-6670. We would be happy to help you.
Case Status
So far, all of the verdicts against Johnson & Johnson have thus far been in state courts, and new cases have been going to trial with some regularity for the last few years. However, there is also a federal consolidated litigation that may resolve the matter nationally.
The federal Talcum Powder-Ovarian Cancer litigation is proceeding in the United States District of New Jersey in a Multi-District Litigation (“MDL”). An MDL allows hundreds of plaintiffs to bring their cases against Defendants, and encourages the law firms representing the plaintiffs to work together to get the best outcome for all of the injured parties.
The most recent milestone in this litigation was the MDL Court’s ruling on Plaintiffs’ expert testimony tying talcum powder use to ovarian cancer. This particular ruling is called a Daubert ruling, based on a United States Supreme Court case of the same name. On April 27, 2020, the MDL Judge decided that the experts supporting Plaintiffs’ case had enough knowledge and experience in their fields to testify that the use of talcum powder can cause or contribute to the development of ovarian cancer. In a consolidated products liability litigation like this case, the Daubert ruling is one of the most important parts of the case, and Plaintiffs’ victory here likely means that cases will soon proceed to bellwether trials.
From October 2021 until August 2023, Johnson & Johnson attempted to evade liability for these lawsuits through a complicated bankruptcy procedure. While this stifled the MDL and state litigation against the company for nearly two years, the 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals dismissed their first bankruptcy attempt, and the United States District Court of New Jersey removed the injunction from the second bankruptcy attempt so that tort litigation could resume.
We are awaiting scheduling of the first federal trials, which will set the tone for the rest of this litigation.
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