A Georgia talcum powder cancer lawsuit could be an option for women who used baby powder products for feminine hygiene and developed ovarian cancer. Over the past several generations, talcum powder has become a fixture in the bathrooms and nurseries of many Americans. It has long been promoted as an ideal personal hygiene product, as well as one that will keep babies clean and comfortable. However, women in lawsuit filings are claiming that their frequent use of the talc-based products manufactured by Johnson & Johnson has led to the development of ovarian cancer, one of the most common and deadly cancers in women. Affected women and their families may be able to seek compensation for their injuries with the help of a Georgia talcum powder lawsuit attorney.
For more information, contact Attorney Group for Georgia 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 Georgia talcum powder cancer lawsuit attorney who can assist you throughout the legal process.
What Is Talcum Powder?
According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), talc is a mineral that occurs naturally and has been used in products in numerous industries. It is mainly composed of the elements magnesium, oxygen, silicon and hydrogen, and it is very effective in absorbing liquids when ground down into a fine powder. It is frequently used in food products to prevent caking, in makeup to improve the feel of the product and in personal hygiene products to reduce odor.
Talc has been manufactured into talcum powder by Johnson & Johnson since the 19th century, and contained asbestos, a known carcinogen, until the 1970s. Today, the FDA requires that all products containing talc be free from asbestos. Talcum powder no longer contains asbestos, but some researchers are concerned that it still may be linked to an increased risk in ovarian cancer when used by women in the genital area with great frequency.
Talcum Powder Use and Ovarian Cancer
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 20,000 American women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer each year. It is the eighth most common cancer among women and the fifth leading cause of death by cancer. In 2012 alone, over 14,000 women died from ovarian cancer. While this cancer can develop from a wide range of risk factors, some researchers suggest that using talcum powder in the genital area increases the likelihood of getting the disease.
In 1982, a group of medical professionals conducted a study that looked at the connection between talcum powder and ovarian cancer. According to the New York Times, the study’s principal author, Dr. Danial Cramer, a gynecologist and obstetrician, and other professionals in Boston-area hospitals looked at 215 women who had been diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Of those diagnosed, 43 percent reported to have dusted talcum powder on their sanitary pads or genitals regularly, versus only 28 percent of those in a control group who did not use talcum powder.
Another study published by Dr. Cramer and associates in 1999 suggests that talcum powder could cause up to 10 percent of ovarian cancer diagnoses each year, or up to 2,000 cases. The study suggests that warnings should be included on packaging to inform women about the potential risks the study and others have found.
Talcum Powder Cancer Lawsuits
As of March 2016, nearly 1,200 lawsuits have been filed against talcum powder manufacturer Johnson & Johnson, the majority of which allege that regular use of the product in the genital area lead to the development of ovarian cancer. In one such lawsuit a jury determined that Johnson & Johnson was responsible for the death of a woman who died of ovarian cancer that she alleged was caused by her long-term use of talcum powder. Her family was awarded $72 million in damages, designed to punish Johnson & Johnson for negligence and for allegedly withholding information about the risk of cancer from consumers.
How a Georgia 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 Georgia 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 Georgia. 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 Georgia today.
