Johnson & Johnson® has faced tens of thousands of lawsuits on behalf of women who suffered ovarian cancer, peritoneal cancer, and fallopian tube cancer after using its talc-based products for years.
If you developed cancer or lost a loved one to cancer after using Johnson & Johnson® (J&J) products, you may be entitled to compensation. A talcum powder lawsuit lawyer can help you determine whether you qualify and fight for the compensation you need. Learn more about the talcum powder lawsuits below.
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Talcum Powder Lawsuit Updates
July 11, 2024
Plaintiffs have until July 26, 2024, to vote on the prepackaged bankruptcy plan.
July 1, 2024
A federal judge rejected the plaintiffs’ bid to block Johnson & Johnson®’s bankruptcy settlement proposal. U.S. District Judge Michael Shipp rejected the bid because the harm to the plaintiffs is “strictly hypothetical,” and he has no jurisdiction to settle disputes over “events that have not, and may never, occur.”
J&J faces more than 60,000 mesothelioma and ovarian cancer lawsuits. Most of these lawsuits are from people who developed ovarian cancer or lost loved ones to ovarian cancer.
June 17, 2024
The plaintiffs filed a class action lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson® seeking damages and the cost of medical monitoring to catch cancer earlier. The lawyers handling this lawsuit oppose the proposed $6.48 billion settlement.
June 12, 2024
J&J settled litigation with several dozen U.S. states by proposing a $700 million settlement. The lawsuit pertained to J&J’s marketing of its talc products, claiming that they were safe even though it’s widely accepted that the manufacturer has known about the dangers for decades. J&J still claims its products are talc-free and safe.
May 1, 2024
Johnson & Johnson® proposed a $6.48 billion settlement to resolve most of the pending litigation through a “third-party bankruptcy filing.” Erik Haas, J&J worldwide vice president of litigation, said that J&J will “continue to address the claims of those who do not want to participate in our contemplated consensual bankruptcy resolution through litigation or settlement.”
April 18, 2024
A Sarasota jury ruled that Johnson & Johnson®’s baby powder did not cause a Sarasota woman’s death from ovarian cancer. According to the woman’s son, she used J&J powder daily for five decades.
August 14, 2023
Judge Kaplan did not grant the plaintiffs’ request to prohibit LTL Management from filing for bankruptcy again for at least six months.
July 29, 2023
Honorable Michael B. Kaplan, Chief Judge of the United States Bankruptcy Court – District of New Jersey, dismissed J&J subsidiary’s second bankruptcy bid, ruling that LTL management was “not in financial distress.”
July 1, 2023
The bankruptcy trial of J&J’s subsidiary company has concluded. We await the decision from Honorable Michael B. Kaplan, Chief Judge of the United States Bankruptcy Court – District of New Jersey.
March 31, 2023
The 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that LTL Management cannot delay the bankruptcy denial in an attempt to halt almost 40,000 talc lawsuits while it awaits the Supreme Court decision on its bankruptcy filing.
The cases will resume once the bankruptcy filing is officially dismissed.
January 2023
The 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals denied J&J subsidiary LTL Management’s bid for bankruptcy, stating that the company was not in “financial distress.” J&J stated that it plans to appeal the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals’ decision to the Supreme Court.
February 2022
Johnson & Johnson® used the controversial “Texas two-step” tactic by creating a new subsidiary, LTL Management, putting new claims into this new entity, and then declaring bankruptcy.
If J&J is able to declare bankruptcy, it would be able to get away with paying claimants much less than they need.
November 2020
J&J appealed the $4.69 billion verdict. The state appeals court upheld the decision but reduced the award to $2.12 billion.
July 12, 2018
A St. Louis jury ordered J&J to pay $4.69 billion to 22 women and their families who allege that the company’s talcum powder products caused their ovarian cancer.
October 2016
A St. Louis jury ordered Johnson & Johnson® to pay a California woman $70 million after she claimed that its Baby Powder caused her to develop ovarian cancer.
May 3, 2016
A Missouri jury ordered J&J to pay $55 million to a woman who claimed that J&J’s Baby Powder and Shower to Shower caused her ovarian cancer.
February 2016
A Missouri jury ordered J&J to pay $72 million to the family of a woman who died from ovarian cancer after using its talc-based products for decades.
2014
Two class actions were filed against J&J in California and Illinois, alleging that its talc-based products cause ovarian cancer.
November 19, 2013
The jury in Ms. Berg’s case found that J&J was negligent in its failure to warn of talc-based products’ link to ovarian cancer.
December 4, 2009
Deane Berg filed the first ovarian cancer lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson®.
The Dangers of Talcum Powder
While research is still being conducted to determine the true impact of talcum powder, data has indicated that consistent talcum powder use is linked to an increased risk of ovarian cancer and other kinds of damage to women’s reproductive systems. Medical research linking talcum powder use with ovarian cancer dates back to 1971 when a study in An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology discovered talc particles in ovarian tissue among many women suffering from ovarian cancer.
Prior to the 1970s and even today, some talc products were found to contain asbestos, a known carcinogen. Similar to asbestos, talc is a silicate mineral that, when ingested, can cause chronic inflammation that can eventually lead to the formation of cancerous tumors.
Some medical researchers believe that regular use of talc powder may cause chronic inflammation of the genital area as the particles travel through the uterus to the fallopian tubes and ovaries. Some studies, such as a 2016 case study in Epidemiology, have suggested that continuous use of talc products can increase a woman’s risk of ovarian cancer by at least 30%.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified talc as “probably carcinogenic to humans” in July 2024. This is the second highest certainty of the potential to cause cancer.
The Goldwater Law Firm Is a Fierce Protector of Your Rights
When you’re up against big corporations like Johnson & Johnson®, you need someone in your corner who will fiercely protect your rights. The Goldwater Law Firm can connect you with our vast network of experienced lawyers ready to demand justice for you and your family.
We know the immense challenges you’re facing as a victim of a consumer product you trusted. That’s why we strive to make getting legal help as easy as possible! One call is all it takes to find out if you may qualify.
What Is Talc Used In?
Talc is a naturally occurring mineral found in the earth. Asbestos is often found very close to talc, which means that talc may contain asbestos. It is used in:
- Makeup (e.g., blush, eyeshadow, foundation, pressed powder, and children’s makeup)
- Baby powder
- Talcum powder
- Chewing gum
- Rice
Has the United States Banned Talc?
No. The United States has not banned the use of talc. However, some manufacturers have replaced talc with cornstarch in their products to reduce the risk of harm. Johnson & Johnson® discontinued using talc in its Johnson’s Baby Powder in 2022 and vowed to stop selling talc-based baby powder globally in 2023.
Talcum powder products are still used by people daily despite the health risks.
How Long Have Manufacturers Known About the Dangers of Talc Exposure?
Manufacturers like Johnson & Johnson® claim to this day that their products are safe. However, studies and investigative reports have made it clear that they have known about the dangers of talc use for decades. Johnson & Johnson® has known its products pose dangers for approximately 50 years and hid that knowledge from consumers and regulators.
Research in the 1970s suggested a link between asbestos and cancer. A 1982 study found a possible link between talc exposure and ovarian cancer. By this time, Johnson & Johnson® knew its talc-based products contained asbestos. In fact, J&J knew this at least seven years beforehand. According to internal documents Reuters reviewed in 2018, J&J knew that the results of at least three different tests from three different labs found asbestos in its talc products. One of the results was a “rather high” level of asbestos. J&J did not report these findings to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
The coverups go back even further. According to the same Reuters article, in the 1950s, Johnson & Johnson® discovered that talc from its “chief source mine for the US market” in the Italian Alps contained tremolite, one of the six minerals known as asbestos. Around ten years later, J&J also discovered tremolite in Vermont talc as well.
Despite knowing this, in 1971, Johnson & Johnson® publicly stated, “Our fifty years of research knowledge in this area indicates that there is no asbestos contained in the powder manufactured by Johnson & Johnson.” A year later, a University of Minnesota professor found “incontrovertible asbestos” in a Shower to Shower talc sample.
Johnson & Johnson® Lied to FDA By Omission
In 1973, the FDA proposed a rule that drugs containing talc could contain no more than 0.1% asbestos. This rule did not cover cosmetics, but the FDA did request suggestions for testing methods from companies.
In response, J&J suggested an X-ray scanning method that “allowed for an automatic 1% tolerance for asbestos.” After J&J was unable to convince the FDA that 1% of asbestos contamination was allowable, it suggested “self-policing” instead of rules and regulations.
In this 1976 letter suggesting self-policing, J&J reported that talc tested between December 1972 and October 1973 did not contain asbestos. However, it did not include the results of a test by a Dartmouth College professor who found “fiberform” actinolite in the talc. It also failed to include the results of a 1975 report from its own “longtime lab” that found asbestos fibers in almost 30% of the samples from the chief source mine for Baby Powder.
Johnson & Johnson® has known about asbestos in its products for decades. It has been lying to its customers for decades. It should be held responsible for any illnesses these lies cause.
We want to help. Get connected with a talcum powder lawyer today.
Which Illnesses Are Linked to Talc Exposure?
Research has linked several different illnesses to talc exposure, including:
- Ovarian cancer
- Peritoneal cancer
- Fallopian tube cancer
- Mesothelioma
- Lung cancer
- Uterine cancer
- Cervical cancer
What Are the Symptoms of Ovarian Cancer?
Ovarian cancer is known as the “silent killer” because many women don’t have any early, identifiable symptoms. This can make it hard to treat. However, the following have been seen in people with ovarian cancer:
- Bloating
- Abdominal pain
- A swollen abdomen
- Fatigue
- Abnormal vaginal discharge
- Postmenopausal bleeding
- A very full feeling soon after starting a meal
- Losing your appetite
- Bowel changes
- More frequent urination
- Pelvic pain
- Back pain
What Are the Symptoms of Peritoneal Cancer?
You may have the following symptoms with primary peritoneal cancer:
- Shortness of breath
- Fatigue
- Nausea and vomiting
- Increased urination
- Abdominal discomfort and swelling
- Quickly feeling full after beginning a meal
- Abnormal vaginal bleeding
- Bowel changes (e.g., increased bouts of constipation)
- Unintended weight loss
What Are the Symptoms of Fallopian Tube Cancer?
The symptoms of fallopian tube cancer can include:
- A pelvic mass or pain
- Abdominal swelling, bloating, or pain
- A feeling of fullness right after starting a meal/loss of appetite
- Nausea
- Abnormal periods
- Watery or bloody vaginal discharge
- Postmenopausal bleeding
- Changes in your bowel movements
- Increased frequency of urination
The symptoms of these cancers can make it very difficult to work, care for your children, or even enjoy life. If you used talcum powder products for a prolonged period and developed one of these cancers, our law firm partners want to help you.
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Anyone who has been diagnosed with peritoneal, fallopian tube, or ovarian cancer after years of using Johnson & Johnson® talcum powders may qualify for compensation.
Having a qualified legal professional by your side is always in your best interest. Standing up to a major corporation like Johnson & Johnson® can be incredibly difficult, and the complexities of the legal process can seem impossible to handle alone. An attorney will give you the best chance of receiving the justice and compensation you deserve.
When you work with The Goldwater Law Firm, there’s absolutely no obligation, and it costs nothing to find out if you may qualify. Our law firm partners work on a contingency-fee-basis, so you can get the legal help you need without worrying about expensive fees.
We strongly believe everyone should have access to the legal help they need. That’s why we’re proud to work on a contingency fee basis. It costs nothing to find out if you may qualify, and we don’t get paid unless you do!
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with ovarian cancer after years of talcum powder use, filing a lawsuit can not only give you and your family the financial support you need to cope with medical expenses and other losses, but you can also play a role in holding irresponsible companies like Johnson & Johnson® responsible for its actions.
By filing a talcum powder lawsuit, you may be able to receive compensation for the following:
- Past and future medical bills
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Wrongful death compensation
- Punitive damages
Johnson & Johnson® has faced many lawsuits over the safety of their talcum powder products, and women continue to take legal action every day.
- In 2014, Johnson & Johnson® found itself the subject of two separate class action lawsuits, both alleging the company was responsible for women who were diagnosed with ovarian cancer after using talcum powder products.
- In 2016, a jury ordered Johnson & Johnson® to pay $55 million to a woman who was being treated for ovarian cancer after using the company’s talc powder product for decades.
- In 2018, a jury in St. Louis favored the case of 22 women, awarding $4.69 billion against Johnson & Johnson® for the women’s ovarian cancers related to the use of talc powder containing asbestos fibers.
- In 2024, Johnson & Johnson® offered a $6.48 billion settlement to resolve most of the tens of thousands of existing lawsuits. There is one caveat. If at least 75% of plaintiffs approve the settlement, this would allow Johnson & Johnson®’s subsidiary company to declare bankruptcy.
There have been a number of other settlements and verdicts, and there are currently tens of thousands of pending lawsuits against Johnson & Johnson® across the country.
The first step to filing a lawsuit is contacting The Goldwater Law Firm. Our network of attorneys spans the country, so you don’t have to leave your home to find the help you need. All you have to do is fill out our form or call us to find out if you may qualify. A case review specialist may contact you for more information. If you qualify, we’ll connect you with an experienced attorney who can handle everything from there.
Be sure to act quickly, as your state’s statute of limitations will limit how long you have to file a talcum powder lawsuit.
You should be focused on your recovery, not on how you’ll hold a giant manufacturer liable for your illness. A talcum powder lawsuit attorney can handle every aspect of your case, including:
- Gathering evidence to establish the necessary criteria: People without legal experience often don’t know what evidence they need or how to get it. Our co-counsel will determine what evidence is essential to prove your case, and they will gather it on your behalf.
- Identifying the damages that may be compensable: Many people don’t know all the recoverable damages in an injury lawsuit. This means they risk leaving thousands of dollars on the table. Our co-counsel will identify all your recoverable damages and ensure we include them in your settlement demand.
- Determining your best option for recovering compensation, whether that is joining ongoing litigation or filing an individual lawsuit: Our law firm partners can work with you to determine which option will best serve you.
- Keeping you updated on the progress of your case: Some attorneys take on clients to leave them in the dark for weeks or months at a time. That’s not the case with our law firm partners. They will regularly contact you, so you’re never left wondering.
- Handling all communication with involved parties: Communicating with a manufacturer, insurer, or legal team is scary. But you won’t need to do it when you work with a talcum powder lawsuit attorney. They will handle communication with all involved parties on your behalf.
- Managing all deadlines: If you overstep specific deadlines, you risk jeopardizing your right to compensation. Our co-counsel manages all deadlines and statutes of limitations to protect this right.
- Negotiating for a fair settlement: Many people accept the first offer because they think they can’t recover more. If the settlement does not cover your losses, an attorney can fight for a higher settlement amount.
- Taking your case to court, if necessary: Preparing a case for trial takes most of your injury and focus. You should keep your focus where it needs to be—on your recovery. We will prepare and present your case to the court.
Get Help With Your Talcum Powder Lawsuit Today
If you developed ovarian, peritoneal, or fallopian cancer after long-term use of talc-based powders, you could be entitled to compensation. Our law firm partners will fight for what you need.
Call The Goldwater Law Firm today to get started. Our team won’t sit by while large corporations lie to consumers and jeopardize their health.