If you or a loved one developed ovarian or cervical cancer and you have a history of using talcum powder, you need to call Walkup, Melodia, Kelly & Schoenberger immediately. It is possible that your cancer is linked to the use of talc, a mineral known to cause aggressive tumor growth upon entering the body. Our firm wants to hear your story, get you answers, and help you determine if you have a case. Let us stand up for you when no one else will—get more information below or call us at (415) 981-7210 as soon as possible.
UPDATE: A MESSAGE FOR OUR CLIENTS WITH TALC RELATED OVARIAN CANCER
A number of our clients have contacted us asking whether the recent $400 million verdict in the Echeverria vs. Johnson and Johnson talcum powder/ovarian cancer case will result in Johnson & Johnson deciding to resolve these cases by paying fair compensation to the victims.
Unfortunately, for our clients who have developed ovarian cancer after years and years of Baby Powder and Shower to Shower use there is no current indication that Johnson & Johnson is going to change its negotiating position. To date, Johnson & Johnson has taken the position that it does not pay attention to the results of jury verdicts-instead it directs its lawyers to appeal every case.
This has been the way it has managed its litigation regarding a host of defective products throughout history. After all appeals are exhausted, it pays verdicts that have been affirmed.
Since the very first talcum powder cases were filed against Johnson & Johnson four years ago, it has consistently claimed that there is no legitimate science linking Baby Powder exposure to ovarian cancer. This was the thrust of its defense in the most recent Los Angeles trial. During the trial its lawyers provided the jury with pages and pages of medical literature suggesting no causal link between exposure and disease, and argued to the judge on an almost daily basis that the plaintiff’s case should be dismissed because there was no scientific proof of a link.
Of course, the jury decided otherwise. It found that there was a link based upon the medical evidence provided by the plaintiff.
For our clients with talc related ovarian cancer we certainly hope that Johnson & Johnson and its legal team will reevaluate this strategy, change its position, and decide to fairly compensate those women who have developed disease. But so far, there is no indication that Johnson & Johnson intends to do this.
As with other large jury awards, we fully expect the legal team for J&J to appeal this decision. The company is currently facing over 5,000 talc claims around the United States, and it has won only one of five trials.
Undoubtedly, in the coming weeks and months we will have a better idea what the J&J litigation strategy will be moving forward. For now, we congratulate the trial team in Los Angeles. Additional cases are awaiting trial, and we wish those victims well in their trials. We hope that future verdicts in favor of injured women, regardless of amount, will motivate J&J to negotiate reasonable settlements.
Talcum Powder Injuries and Side Effects
The use of talcum powder has an especially serious side effect for women – an increased risk of ovarian cancer. According to the International Journal of Gynecological Caner, regular use of talcum powder on the female genital area can increase the risk of ovarian cancer by as much as 60 percent. Another 2013 study found that women who use talcum powder in their groin area have a 20 to 30 percent greater risk of developing ovarian cancer.
In the United States, ovarian cancer is responsible for the fifth most cancer deaths among women and the most of any cancer of the female reproductive system.
- There will be more than 22,000 new ovarian cancer cases in 2017
- Women have a 1 in 75 risk of developing ovarian cancer
- In 2017, more than 14,000 woman will die from ovarian cancer
- Ovarian cancer accounts for 3% of cancer in women
- Women aged 55-64 are the most frequently diagnosed
“We conclude that there is a significant association between the use of talc in genital hygiene and risk of epithelial ovarian cancer that, when viewed in perspective of published data on this association, warrants more formal public health warnings.”
– Genital talc exposure and risk of ovarian cancer
What is Talcum Powder? How Does it Cause Ovarian Cancer?
Talcum powder is powdered talc, a soft mineral made of magnesium, silicon, and oxygen. Talc is a popular component of skincare and hygiene products because it keeps skin smooth and dry. It has also been used to help with rashes and promote “freshness” for women in their genital areas. Because talcum powder is classified as a cosmetic product, it doesn’t fall under FDA regulation—so warnings about its uses were not as strictly required as they would be for a medication.
Researchers have found that when used in the female genital area ( a use for which it has been marketed for decades), talc particles can travel to the ovaries and cause significant inflammation, potentially leading to the development of cancer.
Why are Talcum Powder Lawsuits Being Filed?
Talcum powder products have been sold for over a century and has been marketed and used as a feminine hygiene product, a moisture absorbent, and countless other uses. However, in 1971 researchers discovered a link between applying talcum powder to female genitals and a 30% greater risk of ovarian cancer. Now, Johnson & Johnson faces over 1,000 lawsuits because they failed to disclose the risk of talcum powder use to millions of consumers over the course of several decades.
We believe that consumers were not adequately warned. In fact, Johnson & Johnson (one of the leading manufacturers of talc products Baby Powder and Shower to Shower) have known the risks posed by talcum powder for a long time. As early as the 1970s, researchers began observing that talcum powder was present in ovarian tumors. Studies in 1982, 2003, and 2013 echoed the same finding: talcum powder use led to a 30% higher likelihood of developing ovarian cancer. The 1982 study was brought to the attention of researchers at Johnson & Johnson, who attempted to convince the study’s head researcher that his conclusions were false. However, several other studies confirmed his findings. Regardless, the corporate giant never issued a general warning about talcum powder or the side effects of its use. Today, thousands are paying the price for their inaction and unwillingness to act on scientific data.
Can I Sue for Damages?
It depends on how strongly your cancer can be linked to your history of talcum powder use. If talc is the likely culprit for your tumors, then you have the right to hold Johnson & Johnson accountable for your harm. However, judging the cause of your cancer is not as simple as you may think—patients who think they have no case at all may have a totally valid claim. Allow an attorney to look into your case to know for sure.
What Could I Recover in a Lawsuit?
Ovarian cancer requires months of costly treatment, followed by potential ongoing treatment costs, lost wages, pain and suffering, lost quality of life, and other significant losses caused by talcum powder’s side effects. Our firm’s job is to make Johnson & Johnson liable for all of these expenses, both past, present, and future. In short, you’re possibly entitled to receive compensation for every financial or psychological loss you’ve endured as a result of using talcum powder.
How Long Will My Case Take?
A case like this involves a vast amount of investigation to handle correctly. Our firm has to tie together your cancer with your history of talcum powder use, find expert witnesses to testify on your behalf, and make sure your case is as strong as possible. That process could take months, depending on the case—and the trial could take just as long. In some cases, Johnson & Johnson might be willing to settle earlier in the investigation process. All we can promise is this: we will fight for the amount you deserve as quickly and effectively as possible.
Talcum Powder Lawsuit Results
Major jury verdicts have already been reached against Johnson & Johnson in talcum powder cancer lawsuits. In New Jersey, the family of Jacqueline Fox was awarded $72 million dollars in compensation – including $62 million in punitive damages – for the role talcum powder played in her fatal ovarian cancer. In Missouri $70 million was awarded to Deborah Giannechini and another $55 million to Gloria Ristesund.
Do I have a Case?
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with ovarian cancer and regularly used talcum powder, you may be eligible for a claim. We urge you to contact Walkup, Melodia, Kelly & Schoenberger as soon as possible. A talcum powder attorney can help assess whether or not your cancer was caused by talcum powder use. In general, several conditions must be met:
Your cancer must be an ovarian cancer and you must not suffer from a genetic disorder that pre-disposes you to ovarian cancer – such as Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer Syndrome or certain other genetic traits. You must have used talcum powder in the genital area for a period of at least five years and have had a positive biopsy with evidence of talcum powder in the ovarian tissue.
While the link to ovarian cancer has been demonstrated by several studies, it is not yet know if exposure to talcum powder can cause cervical cancer. However, a potential link is currently being investigated. If you have been diagnosed with cervical cancer, we urge you to get in contact with an attorney to find out more.
Remember, Johnson & Johnson knew that their talcum products posed a significant health risk to women and continued to market it for decades. Don’t let their negligent conduct go with out a fight. Call our attorneys at (415) 981-7210 for a free and confidential case evaluation today.
