An attorney representing over 70 plaintiffs in a massive California baby powder lawsuit is urging the presiding judge to expedite depositions of his clients, stating two of his clients have already died.

Attorney Mark Robinson of Robinson Calcagnie Robinson Shapiro Davis Inc. pleaded with Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Lisa Hart Cole during an initial status conference on Oct. 20 not to stay the California baby powder lawsuit until another judge takes over.

Robinson told the court that by issuing a stay would hinder “extremis depositions” for cases in which the plaintiffs’ health conditions are grave.

“These women are dying of ovarian cancer,” he said. “Two of my clients died last week.”

Counsel for Johnson & Johnson agreed to move forward with the depositions and Judge Cole granted the “informal agreement”.

Johnson & Johnson attorney Michael Zellers of Tucker Ellis LLP also agreed to turn over documents that were previously provided in other baby powder lawsuits against J&J, on the contingency they remain under the same protective order for those lawsuits.

California Baby Powder Lawsuit Allegations

The California baby powder lawsuit was filed against Johnson & Johnson and Imerys Talc America in September on behalf of hundreds of women who developed ovarian cancer as an alleged result of baby powder use.

In the California baby powder lawsuit, the plaintiffs state that their cancers were directly caused by wrongful conduct” of defendants — the “unreasonably dangerous and defective nature” of talc-based baby powder products when used in the genital area for hygiene purposes.

Defendants “knew and/or should have known of the unreasonably dangerous and carcinogenic nature of the talc contained” in the accused products, Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder and Shower to Shower, one of complaints in the California baby powder cancer lawsuit states.

Is Baby Powder Dangerous?

Talcum powder is derived from talc, which is a mineral comprised mostly of silicon, magnesium and oxygen. When rendered in powder form, it works to absorb excess moisture, reduces friction and successfully keeps skin rashes at bay.

Many cosmetic products incorporate talcum powder in their formulations, including baby powders, facial powders and products used for feminine hygiene purposes.

But despite its wide use for decades, talcum powder has been linked to an increased risk of ovarian cancer in some women.

A 1982 study on the issue found a 92% increased risk in ovarian cancer with women who used talc-based products around their genitals. The researcher behind that study directly advised a Johnson & Johnson doctor to place a warning label on their products.

Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder Lawsuits

Many of the complaints in the California baby powder lawsuit and others across the country cite studies going back to 1971 that suggest the link between baby powder use and ovarian cancer exists.

If you or your mother, sister, daughter or other loved one developed ovarian cancer after using talcum powder, an experienced product liability attorney wants to help. You may be entitled to compensation for your pain and suffering, medical bills, and lost wages.

The California Baby Powder Lawsuit is Johnson & Johnson Talcum Powder Cases, No. JCCP4872, in the Superior Court of the State of California for the County of Los Angeles.