A New York talcum powder cancer lawsuit could be an option for women who used baby powder products for feminine hygiene and developed ovarian cancer. Talcum-based personal care products are often staples in the bathrooms of many Americans and they have become part of a normal hygiene routine for women. However, some women who have used talcum powder have come forward alleging that some talcum powder products have caused ovarian cancer and other complications. Affected women and their families may be able to seek compensation for their injuries with the help of a New York talcum powder lawsuit attorney.
For more information, contact Attorney Group for New York 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 New York talcum powder cancer lawsuit attorney who can assist you throughout the legal process.
What is Talc?
Talc is the main ingredient in talcum powder, and according to Minerals.net, it is the softest mineral in the world. It is composed mostly of magnesium, silicone and oxygen, and is so soft that it can be scratched with a fingernail. Talc is formed in metamorphic rock and is removed from the ground by mining in open pit mines. Once it is processed and ground down into a fine powder, it is used in many different types of products, from cosmetics to food.
In its powder form, talc is very good at moisture absorption. It is used for a variety of reasons, including the prevention of diaper rash and irritation, in babies and small children. Adult women may also choose to use talcum powder to absorb moisture in the genital area. Some Johnson & Johnson products are specifically marketed for this use, such as the Shower to Shower label.
Talcum Powder and Cancer
Women have been using talcum powder for many decades, and claims that the powder caused ovarian cancer started emerging as early as the 1960s. A 1961 study that was published in Fertility and Sterility, a medical journal, located carbon particles like those found in talc that had migrated from the genitals to the ovaries in women using talcum powder in the genital area. It was suggested that the powder could enter the body and travel through the vagina, the uterus and the fallopian tubes to end up in the ovaries.
Another study published in 1968 in the American Hygiene Association Journal, determined that an average of 19 percent of talc products found on store shelves contained fibrous particulates comparative to those found in asbestos, a known carcinogen. More recent studies, including a Harvard study in 2011 have found a relationship between genital talcum powder use and ovarian cancer.
Talcum Powder Cancer Lawsuits
In 2013, a South Dakota woman filed a lawsuit against manufacturer Johnson & Johnson, alleging that her long-term use of the company’s Shower to Shower product led to the development of ovarian cancer, and that the company knew and failed to inform her of the risks. While the federal jury decided that the talcum powder products used by the plaintiff did contribute to the development of her cancer, she was ultimately not awarded any damages.
In February of 2016, a St. Louis jury awarded the family of a woman $72 million in damages in her case against Johnson & Johnson. The woman had died from the ovarian cancer that she alleged was caused by using talcum powder for many decades. Several pieces of evidence were presented by her attorneys that showed that the manufacturer knew that there was a potential for risk of ovarian cancer, including a 1997 letter from a toxicologist warning of the connection.
How a New York 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 New York 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 New York. 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 New York today.
