An Ohio 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 a number of consumer products, including many types of cosmetics. Affected women and their families may be able to seek compensation for their injuries with the help of an Ohio talcum powder lawsuit attorney.
For more information, contact Attorney Group for Ohio 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 Ohio talcum powder cancer lawsuit attorney who can assist you throughout the legal process.
Cosmetic Regulations
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is the federal agency that provides oversight for the cosmetic industry. The laws pertaining to cosmetics are applicable to products that change or otherwise improve how a person looks, and products other than soap that are intended to cleanse, such as shampoo. Application of cosmetics may be through spraying, sprinkling, rubbing and other methods of introducing the product into the body.
Cosmetics must have an information panel that includes product ingredients, directions for use, warning statements and potential hazards, such as flammability, according to the FDA. The label is misbranded if it does not provide all the required materials, or if they are not presented correctly. Naturally, misbranding also includes deceptive or confusing information.
While the FDA requires ingredients to be listed, the agency does not do its own testing or provide approval. Instead, the manufacturers must perform the necessary research and tests. If there is a safety concern, then the FDA does a review of the scientific data to determine whether the product should be pulled from the market, if its intended use should be modified, or if it needs a warning added to the label.
Talcum Powder Research Data
Talc is a mineral that is used in many cosmetics, according to the FDA. Its ability to absorb moisture makes it an excellent additive in products such as facial makeup. This characteristic is also the reason talc is included in deodorants, baby powders and foot powders to prevent odors, chafing and rashes or other skin issues.
Research indicates that talcum powder that does not contain asbestos is safe for a number of uses, according to CosmeticsInfo.org. Since the 1970s, the FDA has required talc to be purified of asbestos before inclusion in products, so this carcinogen is not a threat to consumers. The FDA has approved talc for use in foods and drugs, and most data indicates that it is safe for use in cosmetic products, as well.
The American Cancer Society points out that there are two types of talc exposure that may be linked to a higher risk of cancer. Some tests performed on laboratory animals have indicated an increased risk of ovarian cancer and tumor development when the genitals of female animals were exposed to talcum powder, and inhalation may be associated with lung cancer.
Women have been using talcum powder for decades, which provides opportunity for researchers to do follow-up studies to provide further scientific data about the mineral’s potential link to ovarian cancer. Although study results are mixed, some indicate that women who use talcum powder on the genital area over an extended period of time have a higher risk of developing ovarian cancer.
Talcum Powder Cancer Lawsuits
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 allegedly knew that there was a potential for risk of ovarian cancer, including a 1997 letter from a toxicologist warning of the connection.
How an Ohio 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 an Ohio 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 Ohio. 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 Ohio today.
