New Jersey Dangerous Talcum Powder Claims Attorneys

Aggressive representation for clients who developed ovarian cancer and other illnesses

The link between the use of talc products in the female genital area and ovarian cancer has been fraught with controversy. More than 4,800 women and their families have filed lawsuits against pharmaceutical giant, Johnson & Johnson because they claim that their ovarian cancer was caused by using Johnson’s Shower to Shower, a talc-based feminine hygiene product, in their genital area.

At Eichen Crutchlow Zaslow, LLP, our skilled New Jersey products liability lawyers have the skill and experience to go up against major pharmaceutical companies to fight for our clients’ right to compensation after they used a product which caused them injury. If you used talc products and developed ovarian cancer, call us to learn more about your options.

Talcum powder and the link to ovarian cancer

Recent settlements in lawsuits against Johnson & Johnson have been validating scientific evidence that there is a direct link between talcum powder and ovarian cancer. Despite warnings that talcum powder was found in the ovaries of women with ovarian cancer in 1972, Johnson & Johnson has continued to sell their products without warnings of the potential dangers.

The FDA describes talc as a naturally occurring mineral, which is mined from the earth. It is used in cosmetics and other personal care products. Talcum powder is made from the natural mineral talc, which contains magnesium, silicon, oxygen, and hydrogen. In 1971, scientists first discovered the presence of talc particles in malignant ovarian and cervical tumors. An estimated 20 percent of all ovarian cancer cases are now directly linked to long term use of talcum powder. Women have used products such as Johnson & Johnson’s Baby Powder and their alternate brand Shower to Shower as an effective way to control moisture and reduce friction. When used regularly in the genital or peritoneal areas, the talcum powder fibers can travel through the fallopian tubes and settle in the tissue of the ovaries.

In 2018, Johnson & Johnson was ordered to pay $4.69 billion to 22 women and their families who had sued the company when they   claimed the company’s talcum products caused their ovarian cancer, according to the New York Times. The Times article reports that Johnson & Johnson has covered up evidence of asbestos in some of their talcum-based products, and that they should put a warning label on the product, or focus on their powders made with cornstarch.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 20,000 women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer annually in the United States while another 15,000 women lose their lives from the disease each year. The insidious nature of ovarian cancer makes it difficult to detect in its early stages when treatment is most effective. There is no definitive test for the presence of the cancer and symptoms are often vague. Women are frequently in advanced stages of the disease when they are diagnosed.

The most compelling evidence to prove this theory is that women who undergo a tubal ligation are 40 percent less likely to develop ovarian cancer. Women who do not have their fallopian tubes tied are 30 percent more likely to develop ovarian cancer when they use talcum-based products over a long period of time. The American Cancer Society has confirmed the link between talc and ovarian cancer, yet they are calling for more studies to investigate how much the risk of developing ovarian or cervical cancer increases with long term use of talcum powder.

Product liability law

Manufacturers, distributors, and retailers have a responsibility to protect the public by ensuring their products are safe and free from hazards. When these companies market harmful products to the public, they can be held liable for damages under product liability laws. Johnson & Johnson violated these laws when they failed to adequately warn their customers about the link between talcum powder and ovarian cancer. The current lawsuits assert that Johnson & Johnson should have pulled their product from the shelves until investigations were conducted, or at the very least, put visible warnings on their packaging to inform the consumer of the potential danger to using their product.

There are 1,200 product liability lawsuits against Johnson & Johnson currently pending. All the plaintiffs in these cases claim that they have suffered damages related to their use of talcum powder. A spokesperson for Johnson & Johnson said the company is planning to appeal the first two settlement awards citing that their product labeling was sufficient for consumers to make an informed decision on using the product.

How a skilled NJ product liability attorney can help you

While these talc ovarian cancer cases are complicated, we welcome the challenge of holding a massive corporation such as Johnson & Johnson and other pharmaceutical companies which manufacture personal hygiene products using talc accountable for the injuries their products cause to consumers. Generations of women have used talc products daily. If the product contained a warning about the possible link to ovarian cancer if used in the genital area, they would most likely would have heeded that warning and used it only on other parts of the body.

At Eichen Crutchlow Zaslow, we are here to fight for justice for our clients who have been injured because of a defective product. Our skilled NJ products liability attorneys can help you by pursuing compensation for your injuries and losses.

New Jersey product liability lawyers handling talc cases

A diagnosis of ovarian or cervical cancer is devastating. Patients face months and even years of medical intervention that can include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. Medical bills can soar, leaving many patients and their families with a financial hardship. The experienced team of New Jersey product liability lawyers at Eichen Crutchlow Zaslow, LLP can help you claim the justice and compensation that could help alleviate some of the burdens placed on you and your family because of your cancer. You may call us at 732-777-0100 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation today.