Over 1,200 lawsuits have been filed over ovarian cancer risk due to the long-term use of talcum power. The first talcum powder ovarian cancer lawsuit was won against Johnson & Johnson in federal court in 2013. An attorney representing the company admitted executives were aware of the link between talcum powder and ovarian cancer for years but did not deem the risk significant enough to take action and include a warning on their product. A jury recently awarded $72 million in an ovarian cancer case after finding talc contributed to the death of an Alabama woman. Jacqueline Fox, who died at age 62, recounted 35 years of using Johnson & Johnson products containing talcum power, including baby powder and its Shower to Shower body powder. Fox used them for feminine hygiene and believed they were what ultimately killed her.
If you have developed ovarian cancer after using talcum-containing products for feminine hygiene, contact the Mankato product liability lawyers at Knutson + Casey. We offer free, no-obligation consultations and can help you determine whether you have a case.
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The link between ovarian cancer and talcum powder was discovered in 1971 in a study that revealed talc particles in the ovarian tissue of cancer patients. This was the first instance in which medical professionals realized women were at risk when using the powder on their bodies, sanitary pads, diaphragms, or condoms. Talc particles easily made their way into the vagina and were able to travel deeper into the reproductive organs. One sample study showed the ability of carbon particles to travel through the vagina and into the Fallopian tubes in as little as 30 minutes, leading researchers to believe the same was possible with talc particles. Despite the original findings and studies that have supported the original research, Johnson & Johnson continues to argue against the connection claiming insufficient evidence. The company has also managed to keep its product on the market without a warning for nearly half a century after the original discovery.
If you or a loved one applied talcum powder for the use of feminine hygiene for 5 or more years and later developed ovarian cancer, you may have a legal right to compensation. Contact our Mankato talcum powder attorneys today for a free consultation to discuss your options.