An Alabama talcum powder cancer lawsuit could be an option for women who used baby powder products and developed ovarian cancer. Lawsuits against product manufacturer Johnson & Johnson and others allege that long-term use of talc-based products caused them to develop ovarian cancer and that they were not adequately warned of the risks associated with these products. Affected women and their families may be able to seek compensation for their injuries with the help of an Alabama talcum powder lawsuit attorney.
For more information, contact Attorney Group for Alabama today. Our consultations are free, confidential and without any obligation on your part. We can help answer your questions, and if you choose to pursue a claim we can connect you with an affiliated Alabama talcum powder cancer lawsuit attorney who can assist you throughout the legal process.
What is Talcum Powder?
According to the American Cancer Society, talc is a natural mineral that is mainly comprised of oxygen, magnesium and silicon. In powder form, talc is known to help absorb moisture and reduce friction, which is why it is commonly used in personal care products such as baby powder or body powder. Many parents use baby powder on their children to prevent diaper rash, but it can also be used by adult females for feminine hygiene purposes. Johnson & Johnson has also marketed talcum-based products for adults called Shower to Shower, which is often applied in the genital region.
Concerns Over Talcum Powder Use
Talc naturally contains asbestos, which has been proven to cause cancer. However, today’s talcum powder products are asbestos-free, as of the 1970s. Concerns surrounding the link between talcum powder and cancer are still present, due to the possibility that the powder could enter the body through the vagina and make its way into the uterus and fallopian tubes, where it could cause cancerous cells to begin growing. Some government agencies, including the National Toxicology Program, have listed talc as a carcinogen in humans.
Talcum Powder and Cancer
Studies questioning the safety of talcum powder have been performed since the 1970s and continue today. One of the first links between talcum powder and ovarian cancer was found in a 1971 study, according to Dr. Samuel S. Epstein, Professor Emeritus at the University Of Illinois School Of Public Health. A follow-up study performed in 1992 in the publication Obstetrics and Gynecology, reported that the risk of ovarian cancer was three times higher in women who used talcum powder on the genital area regularly.
More recently, a 2010 study by the Harvard School of Public Health found a modest positive association between talcum powder use in the genital area and endometrial cancer. This type of cancer begins in the uterus and is most common in women who have already experienced menopause. The study also cited information provided by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, which listed talc as a potential carcinogen, as well as citations from 16 other studies that suggest an increase in the risk of ovarian cancer.
Alabama Talcum Powder Cancer Lawsuit
In February 2016, an Alabama woman’s family was awarded $72 million in damages from Johnson & Johnson. The woman at the center of the case died from ovarian cancer at the age of 61 in October 2015, but her family continued the lawsuit after her death, upholding her claims that her long-term use of talcum powder led to the development of cancer.
The trial was held in Missouri, and the jury deliberated for four hours before deciding that Johnson & Johnson was guilty of conspiracy, fraud and negligence. There are over 1,200 lawsuits pending against Johnson & Johnson as of March 2016, claiming studies have linked its Johnson’s Baby Powder and its Shower-to-Shower products to ovarian cancer. The lawsuits content that the company knew of the cancer risk and failed to warn consumers.
How an Alabama Talcum Powder Cancer Lawsuit Can Help
When people suffer from severe side effects from a dangerous or defective product, they may be entitled to compensation for their injuries and damages. The types of losses that can be recovered include:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Loss of an ability to work; and
- Pain and suffering
If a person dies from complications caused by a defective product, family members may be able to recover damages for the wrongful death of their loved one, including:
- Funeral expenses
- Medical expenses prior to death
- Loss of economic support; and
- Loss of companionship
If the conduct of a company in manufacturing and selling a product is found to be highly reckless, punitive damages may be awarded to punish the company and deter similar conduct in the future.
Affected women and their families are encouraged to seek the advice of an Alabama talcum powder cancer lawsuit attorney to learn more about their rights and remedies.
The Time to Pursue a Claim is Limited. Contact Us Today.
For more information, contact Attorney Group for Alabama.
When you contact us, an attorney will follow up with you to speak with you about your case or answer questions that you might have. There is no cost or obligation to speak with us, and any information you provide will be kept confidential.
Please note that the law limits the time you have to pursue a claim or file a lawsuit for an injury. If you think you have a case, you should not delay taking action.
