A Florida talcum powder cancer lawsuit could be an option for women who used baby powder products for personal hygiene and developed ovarian cancer. Growing numbers of lawsuit filings are alleging a link between the product and ovarian cancer. In some cases, women who have developed ovarian cancer used talcum powder for decades as part of their regular personal care routine. Affected women and their families may be able to seek compensation for their injuries with the help of a Florida talcum powder lawsuit attorney.
For more information, contact Attorney Group for Florida 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.
What Is Talcum Powder?
Talcum powder is a loose, soft white powder that is manufactured out of the mineral talc, which is composed of magnesium, silicon and oxygen, according to the American Cancer Society. Talc is very effective at absorbing moisture when it is ground down finely into its powder form. As such, it has become a primary ingredient in a wide range of cosmetic and personal hygiene products, from eye makeup to baby powder.
Talcum powder has been used in American homes for decades, used by nannies and mothers to prevent diaper rash and irritation in babies and in women’s genital area for feminine hygiene purposes. Up until the 1970s, almost all talcum powder had asbestos in it, since talc contains the substance in its natural form. As concerns over asbestos grew, the substance was removed from all talcum powders available on the market.
Talcum Powder and Ovarian Cancer
Studies going back as far as the 1970s have questioned whether the perineal use of talcum powder was causing ovarian cancer in women. In 1982, researchers released a study in which it was determined that women who used talcum powder on the genital area or on sanitary napkins were at an increased risk of developing ovarian cancer.
One of the researchers involved in the 1982 study released another study in 2015 in the journal Epidemiology. In this study, the researchers looked at 2,041 women who had ovarian cancer and 2,100 women without it and surveyed them about their talcum powder use. The study found that using talcum powder on the genital area has the potential to increase the risk of ovarian cancer by a third. Dr. Daniel Cramer, the researcher involved in both studies, stated that repeated use of talcum powder can cause it to travel into the vagina and into the uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries.
Talcum Powder Cancer Lawsuits
In 2013, a federal jury found Johnson & Johnson guilty of negligence in the case of a South Dakota woman who claimed to have developed ovarian cancer after using talcum powder on a regular basis. However, no damages were awarded to the woman. In the years since, thousands of cases have been filed against the manufacturer, while the company continues to argue that there is no connection between its product and cancer.
In 2016, the family of an Alabama woman who died of ovarian cancer that they claim was caused by exposure to talcum powder was awarded $72 million. The three-week trial concluded with the decision that the family deserved $10 million in compensatory damages and $62 million in punitive damages. In this case and many others, the plaintiffs allege that Johnson & Johnson knew about the potential risk associated with their product, but continue to deny any associations and market it as safe for everyday use.
How a Florida 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 Florida 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 Florida. You can fill out the form on this page, call us at the number listed at the top of the page, or email us at info@attorneygroup.com.
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.
See our Frequently Asked Questions page for more information, and contact Attorney Group for Florida today.
