Talcum powder lawsuits focus on baby powder manufacturers who are accused of knowing their talc products were contaminated by asbestos, which could result in the development of mesothelioma or ovarian cancer, and they failed to warn consumers about this risk.
While most of the cases are filed as individual lawsuits, there have also been several class-action lawsuits filed against companies selling and manufacturing these products. Some of the jury verdicts resulted in billions of dollars being awarded to plaintiffs.
Understanding Talcum Powder Lawsuits
Johnson & Johnson alone was facing 37,447 lawsuits related to asbestos-contaminated talc products as of December 15, 2021. With the costs surpassing $4 billion in defense costs, verdicts, and settlements, during the summer of 2021, the company created LTL Management LLC, a subsidiary to help split the liabilities and assets it held.
While Johnson & Johnson has a market share worth over $450 billion, the newly formed subsidiary has its worth listed as $10 billion, with liabilities listed at $10 billion.
While the U.S. House of Representatives oversight committee urged the company to drop the bankruptcy tactic, the new company filed it anyway. This means that all lawsuits are stopped while the bankruptcy ruling is being decided.
Recalls of Johnson & Johnson Talc Products
In October 2019, J&J announced a voluntary recall on a baby powder lot after the FDA found trace amounts of chrysotile asbestos in them. The company also announced it would cease the sale of its baby powder in the United States and Canada. While this is true, the brand still denies that the product causes any type of asbestos-related diseases, such as mesothelioma or ovarian cancer.
It’s worth noting that J&J is not the only company with lawsuits against it for talc contaminated with asbestos. Retailers, distributors, and manufacturers of talcum powder have been named in many lawsuits in the past few years. This includes big-name retailers like Walgreens, Target, CVS, and Walmart. Talc suppliers are also facing lawsuits.
Who Can File a Talcum Powder Lawsuit?
Anyone who used commercial or cosmetic talcum powder and developed mesothelioma or ovarian cancer may be able to file this type of lawsuit.
Ovarian Cancer Related Lawsuits
For ovarian cancer lawsuits, the plaintiff had to use the product on their genital area regularly. Women who opted to use a baby powder made of cornstarch are not eligible to file a lawsuit in this respect since this type of baby powder does not include any talc.
Some of the talc products that have been included in lawsuits involving ovarian cancer include:
- Gold Bond Extra Strength Baby Powder
- Johnson’s Baby Powder
- Gold Bond Body Powder
- Gold Bond No Mess Powder Spray
- Shower to Shower
If you used a talc-containing product and developed a case of mesothelioma, you may also be eligible to file a lawsuit. These products are cosmetic, like baby powder, or industrial, like adhesives, joint compounds, pottery, crayons, paper, chalk, and clay.
Calling our legal team will ensure that someone who knows the criteria will review your claim. If you developed ovarian cancer or mesothelioma after you used a product that contained talc, you should contact an attorney right away to ensure your legal rights are protected.
Mesothelioma Related Lawsuits
Litigation is still going on for talcum powder lawsuits that claim cosmetic or industrial talc that was contaminated by asbestos-caused mesothelioma. By April of 2018, more than $153 million had been awarded for talc-related mesothelioma claims.
Those who filed the lawsuits have claimed that inhaling the talcum powder resulted in the development of lung disease and mesothelioma. The main cause of mesothelioma is asbestos; however, there are some lawsuits arguing that with or without the presence of asbestos, talc can cause this disease.
Hire an Attorney to Help with a Talcum Powder Lawsuit
When it comes to Talcum powder lawsuits, there are a lot of factors to consider. Because of the complexity of these cases, it is smart to hire an attorney for assistance. They can review the case and help ensure you get the outcome desired. Remember, these cases are ongoing, so it is possible to file an individual personal injury lawsuit or to join a larger mass tort. It depends on your situation and diagnosis.
Our legal team will help you determine what action is right for you and your needs and help ensure you receive the amount of compensation deserved for your injuries and other issues you have faced from using the talc product.
