A Virginia talcum powder cancer lawsuit could be an option for women who used baby powder products and developed ovarian cancer. Talcum powder is a common ingredient in baby powders and other consumer cosmetics, and many women use the substance for feminine hygiene purposes. Although manufactures claim that products containing talc are safe for consumer use, an increased risk of ovarian cancer has been associated with the use of talcum powder. Affected women and their families may be able to seek compensation for their injuries with the help of a Virginia talcum powder lawsuit attorney.
For more information, contact Attorney Group for Virginia 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 created by simply grinding the mineral talc into a find powder. According to Geology.com, talc is present in many different products used in a wide range of industries, including paints, rubber and even roofing materials. Talc may be used as a filler in plastics to improve heat resistance and stiffness, in ceramics to boost strength and in paint to help the liquid stick to vertical surfaces. In cosmetics, it is mainly used for its absorbent qualities and is often found in makeup and antiperspirants.
Though talc is widely used in the U.S., Canada added it to its Cosmetic Ingredients Hotlist in 2007. The mineral is restricted from use in baby products due to data that has found a potential for harm it may cause to children and infants.
A History of Concern
Concerns over the safety of talcum powder have been present since the 1960s when consumers were first warned that asbestos present in the product could be harmful to babies. Since then, all talc products manufactured in the U.S. are required to be asbestos-free, but many concerns still remain. According to Yahoo Beauty, contradictory findings in numerous studies have made it difficult for warnings against talcum powder to be presented. However, medical groups including the International Agency for Research on Cancer have listed the product as “possibly carcinogenic to humans” when used in the genital area.
An article in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute cites evidence suggesting that inflammation may be one of the underlying causes of ovarian cancer development. Some medical professionals who have expressed their apprehensions over genital talcum powder use claim that the powder can make its way into the body through the vagina, traveling through the uterus and into the ovaries where its presence irritates the tissues, resulting in inflammation.
Talcum Powder Cancer Lawsuits Filed
CBS News reports that in February 2016, Johnson & Johnson was ordered by a St. Louis jury to pay $72 million to the family of an Alabama woman who had sued the company prior to losing her life to ovarian cancer. The woman claimed that she used Johnson & Johnson’s product every day in the genital area, leading to the development of ovarian cancer. During the trial, the director of the OB/GYN Epidemiology Center at Brigham and Woman’s hospital testified that several studies that he has conducted have identified a link between cancer and perineal talcum powder use.
In May 2016, a South Dakota woman was awarded $55 million in damages to be paid by Johnson & Johnson. According to CBS News, attorneys in both cases hope that the rulings will lead to a warning of ovarian cancer being placed on Johnson & Johnson’s product’s labeling. The May 2016 verdict was also decided by a St. Louis jury that ruled in favor of the plaintiff’s claims that her decades-long use of talcum powder caused the development of ovarian cancer. The results of these two cases suggest that there are many other cases that may have a similar outcome. Johnson & Johnson says it is appealing both rulings.
How a Virginia Talcum Powder Cancer Lawsuit Can Help
Product makers have a duty to provide safe products. If there are risks of harm associated with their products, they also must provide adequate warnings. If a product maker fails to fulfill this duty, it could be held liable in lawsuits for injuries that may result.
People injured by the fault of others may be eligible to recover money for:
- Medical Expenses
- Lost Wages
- Pain and Suffering
The families of those killed may be eligible to recover money for funeral expenses and the pain that comes with losing a loved one.
The Time You Have to Pursue a Claim is Limited. Contact Us Today.
For more information, contact Attorney Group for Virginia. You can fill out the form on this page or contact us by phone or email.
After you contact us, an attorney will follow up to 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.
