A California talcum powder cancer lawsuit could be an option for women who used baby powder products for feminine hygiene and developed ovarian cancer. Talcum powder is present in numerous consumer products and is also associated with additional health risks, including serious respiratory issues. Affected women and their families may be able to seek compensation for their injuries with the help of a California talcum powder lawsuit attorney.
For more information, contact Attorney Group for California 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 attorney who can assist you throughout the legal process.
Common Uses of Talcum Powder
Talc is a commonplace item in the daily lives of many people. It is categorized as hydrous magnesium silicate, and its relatively soft nature allows it to be shaved down into a powder. Because of its inherent properties, talc is used in a wide variety of products. For instance, many plastic products utilize talc as a filler, while paints commonly contain the substance due to its ability to brighten paint colors. However, talc is most regularly found in a number of cosmetic products, such as makeup, antiperspirant and baby powders often used to absorb moisture on the skin.
Risks Associated With Talcum Powder
While talcum powder has a variety of uses in many different products, the substance does have associations with a number of serious medical conditions. The American Cancer Association lists a few of the medical conditions potentially linked to talc exposure, including ovarian cancer. Women using talc-based products (such as baby powder) may introduce the substance to their reproductive organs inadvertently as they apply products to their genital regions. This is especially harmful when products are used for extended periods, as most women citing the link between their cancer and talcum powder were long-term users.
The development of lung cancer has also been associated with products containing talc. For those working in talc mines, links to a range of respiratory ailments (including lung cancers) have been shown. While some suggest that this may be an effect of other damaging substances that are often found within mines, some studies have shown a link between tumor formation in animal subjects and talc exposure.
Talcum Powder and the FDA
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has responded to purported talc cancer links by conducting a survey based on consumer claims of injury as a result of using this substance. The survey investigated the presence of asbestos (which is often found to be in close proximity with natural occurring talc) within a number of products using talcum powder.
While the FDA found no evidence of asbestos in the tested products, they warn that due to the relatively small sampling size (with only four manufacturers offering their products for testing) the presence of asbestos in other products can’t be completely ruled out.
Talcum Powder Cancer Lawsuits
CNN illustrates the potential risk of talc-based products, which can be found in a number of household items. While some research has thus far been inconclusive, many agencies warn against the use of talcum powder for feminine hygiene purposes based on past instances of serious injury linked with the substance. One international agency even went as far as to label talc as possibly carcinogenic, while the American Cancer Associations recommends caution when using talc-based products on intimate areas.
These concerns have led many to probe the supposed link between talcum powder and ovarian cancer. The family of a woman who died from the disease after what was termed lifelong usage was successful in seeking damages against manufacturer Johnson & Johnson. A jury returned a verdict of $72 million against the company for its alleged role in the woman’s death, although the company continues to claim that their products are safe for consumers.
How a California 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 a California talcum powder cancer lawsuit attorney to learn more about their rights and remedies.
For more information, contact Attorney Group for California. 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.
