A 61-year-old woman alleges she developed cancer after using Johnson & Johnson baby powder products.

Baby Powder Lawsuit

According to her complaint, Johnson & Johnson and Colgate-Palmolive’s cosmetic talc products may contain asbestos.

Plaintiff Patricia S. filed her lawsuit after being diagnosed with cancer that she claims was caused by contaminated cosmetic talc products produced by the two companies. Patricia claims that her mesothelioma diagnosis is due to years of exposure to talc products, including Johnson & Johnson’s baby powder and Colgate-Palmolive’s Cashmere Bouquet face powder.

Patricia says she was diagnosed with mesothelioma in July 2018 after complaining of chest pain and shortness of breath. Although she was treated with chemotherapy and immunotherapy drugs, Patricia’s doctors claim that these treatments did not work for her, and her condition is expected to be fatal.

Previous cosmetic talc lawsuits have resulted in multi-million dollar awards for victims. In one recent asbestos talc lawsuit, the case ended in a $117 million verdict, including $80 million in punitive damages.

If you have used Johnson & Johnson baby powder or shower-to-shower every day for at least five years and have developed mesothelioma or ovarian cancer, you may be able to pursue compensation for your injuries, pain, and suffering. Families of women who have died may also be able to file wrongful death suits. Women and their families who have filed lawsuits alleging that their cancer was caused by Johnson & Johnson products have been awarded huge amounts in compensation settlements.

Alleged Dangers of Johnson &Johnson Baby Powder

According to studies on the safety of products like baby powder that contain talc, use of these products may increase women’s risk of ovarian cancer by more than 20 percent. Additionally, research has suggested that use of talcum powder may even result in death in some cases.

The reason these products may create a risk of mesothelioma is due to contamination. Talc is often mined near asbestos, a very dangerous and harmful material. Inhalation of asbestos fibers is known to cause mesothelioma and other cancers. When asbestos fibers contaminate talc products, consumers may be unknowingly exposed to dangerous materials.

Does Talc Cause Cancer?

A few thousand people in the United States are diagnosed with mesothelioma every year. Most of these cases are caused by exposure to asbestos. Although conditions caused by asbestos usually occur due to occupational exposure in the fields of construction, manufacturing, or chemical refinement, some of these cases are due to exposure to asbestos in cosmetic products.

According to Business Insider, research indicates that applying baby powder to women’s genital areas may result in absorption of tiny talc particles. The tiny talc particles may travel into the pelvis and ovaries of these women, where they cause inflammation and scar tissue. Eventually, this inflammation and scar tissue may lead to cancer.

According to the American Cancer Society, nearly 15,000 women die every year in the United States from ovarian cancer. Although it is unknown how many of these cancer cases are due to talcum powder asbestos exposure, approximately 40 percent of women use baby powder for personal hygiene.

Who May Be Affected?

Previous baby powder cancer lawsuits have resulted in massive settlement payouts for victims. In one recent Missouri class action lawsuit regarding Johnson &Johnson talc cosmetic products, 22 victims were awarded $4.7 billion after the jury ruled that their ovarian cancer was caused by the pharmaceutical company’s products.

Women who have used Johnson &Johnson products, including baby powder and Shower-to-Shower may be able to join a talc lawsuit if they used these products daily for five years or longer and have been diagnosed with ovarian cancer or mesothelioma. Hiring an experienced pharmaceutical products attorney may make it more likely for you to win your case and receive a settlement payout.