A jury in Alameda Superior Court in California is hearing evidence in the most recent litigation involving allegations that Johnson & Johnson’s talcum powder products, like Baby Powder and Shower to Shower, can cause users to develop mesothelioma.
The lawsuit is among dozens of talcum powder cancer cases to be heard this year and was filed by a woman who said she was exposed to talcum powder products that contained talc mined in South Korea during her first two years of life. She was diagnosed with the rare form of cancer called mesothelioma, a deadly form of cancer that develops from asbestos exposure.
The lawsuit alleges that talcum mined in South Korea tested positive for asbestos and increased the risk of cancer for consumers who used the product. Currently, nearly 12,000 talcum powder lawsuits have been filed across the country. Each of the lawsuits involves allegations that Johnson & Johnson knew about the health risks associated with the use of their talc products but failed to warn consumers of the risks for decades.
Most of the talcum powder cancer lawsuits were filed by women who were diagnosed with ovarian cancer after using talc powder products for genital hygiene. However, a mounting number of cases are being filed on behalf of male and female consumers who were diagnosed with mesothelioma after allegedly being exposed to asbestos fibers that were contained in the products.
In December 2018, Reuters published an investigative report suggesting that internal memos and documents reveal that asbestos was found in talc testing by at least three different laboratories between 1972 and 1975. The news agency said that while Johnson & Johnson knew about the test results, it failed to report the outcome of these tests to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. However, the Reuter’s report also found that lab test reports from the 1950s also showed asbestos contamination in talc products.
Since the report was published, Johnson & Johnson’s market value dropped by some $30 million as investors showed concern that the reputation of the firm has been damaged and over litigation liability.
Currently, talcum powder cancer litigation is scheduled to begin in St. Louis in January involving claims filed on behalf of 13 women who blame their ovarian cancer on talcum exposure. Also, the New York Asbestos Litigation court will hear four talcum powder asbestos in January.
Two other trials have been scheduled: one trial scheduled for April involves claims filed on behalf of 24 women, while the fourth trial involving multiple plaintiffs is scheduled for August.
Johnson & Johnson has already been ordered to pay billions in compensation to plaintiffs over talcum cancer allegations. A jury in California awarded $25.7 to plaintiffs, while a New Jersey jury awarded $117 million to a plaintiff who was diagnosed with mesothelioma after exposure to talcum powder. In the biggest award so far in talc cancer litigation, J&J was ordered to pay $4.7 billion to 22 women who were diagnosed with ovarian cancer after using talcum powder regularly.
If you were diagnosed with mesothelioma or ovarian cancer after use and exposure to Johnson & Johnson talc products, contact us today to learn whether you are entitled to significant compensation for your injuries. Contact us now to learn more.
