A Mississippi talcum powder cancer lawsuit could be an option for women who used baby powder products for feminine hygiene and developed ovarian cancer. Lawsuits against product manufacturer Johnson & Johnson 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 a Mississippi talcum powder lawsuit attorney.
For more information, contact Attorney Group for Mississippi 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 Mississippi talcum powder cancer lawsuit attorney who can assist you throughout the legal process.
Talc and Cosmetics
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review explains that there are many appealing features that have led to the inclusion of talc in a wide variety of personal hygiene and cosmetic products for decades. It absorbs moisture, so when it is ground into a fine powder, it prevents other powders from caking. This makes it ideal for cosmetic products such as makeup. Its odor-eliminating properties recommend it for hygiene use. Talc is included in foot powders and baby powders, as well as aerosol deodorants and many others. Not only is it the softest mineral, it naturally has a slippery texture that enhances the pleasant way it feels. When the powder is dusted on the skin, it prevents chafing and offers protection from rashes.
Talc and Cancer Research
Talc has been the subject of cancer research for decades, and researchers have been able to exclude many of its uses from the list of possible carcinogens. In the early 1970s, scientists determined that talc containing asbestos is carcinogenic, and since then it has been analyzed routinely to ensure its purity. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is responsible for conducting many of these tests, including samples from a variety of cosmetic products, and the results have verified the absence of asbestos.
According to the American Cancer Society, there are some concerns about the possibility that talc could be linked to ovarian cancer. Research has been ongoing, but with inconsistent results. For example, scientists have exposed animals to asbestos-free talc in laboratory-controlled settings and discovered tumor development, but not all tests of this type have produced the same outcomes.
There have also been studies analyzing whether women who use talcum powder on the genital area have a higher rate of ovarian cancer than those who have not used it in this way. Because some of the research indicates that there is an increased risk, the International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified this use of talc as a possible carcinogen.
Talcum Powder Cancer Lawsuits
The FDA requires labeling on cosmetic products to provide accurate information, including any consequences that may arise from the intended use of the product. Any deviation from this is considered misbranding and is illegal.
The labels on Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder and Shower To Shower products have been the subject of lawsuits that allege the information about the potentially higher risk for ovarian cancer when used on the genitals should have been included. A jury agreed with this assessment in a 2013 decision after doctors testified to the presence of talc particles within a plaintiff’s ovarian cancer tissues.
In February 2016, the family of a woman who died of ovarian cancer sued Johnson & Johnson. That lawsuit claimed that the company knew of the risk, but still did not include the information on the label. The jury awarded the family $72 million in actual and punitive damages. Because there are so many lawsuits making the same or similar claims, they may soon be assigned to a single court district. This would allow information provided by the plaintiffs during the discovery process to be combined so the hearing can be expedited.
How a Mississippi 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 Mississippi 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 Mississippi. 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 Mississippi today.
