A Florida jury has ruled in favor of an 82 year old woman who claims that Johnson & Johnson’s baby powder caused her to develop cancer.

Plaintiff Blanca M. claims that her use of Johnson & Johnson baby powder as a personal hygiene product resulted in her development of mesothelioma. Blanca used their talc-based baby powder for years, not realizing that the talc product may contain asbestos and be linked to dangerous health side effects.

On February 27, the jury in Blanca’s case ruled in her favor, ordering Johnson & Johnson to pay her $9 million. This recent ruling is one of several against Johnson & Johnson regarding a potentially dangerous baby powder product.

Other recent Johnson & Johnson baby powder cancer lawsuits have resulted in settlement awards as high as $185 million for the victims. Nearly 18,000 lawsuits are still pending against the company regarding the potential dangers or their product and alleged injuries.

While some of the plaintiffs in these cases claim that talc-based baby powder gave them ovarian cancer, other plaintiffs have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, a cancer affecting the tissue that covers most internal organs. Despite the thousands of victims who claim that the baby powder may be dangerous, Johnson & Johnson continues to claim that their talc products are safe for consumer use, even after a voluntary recall of their product.

Is Talc Dangerous?

Baby powder is a common household product often used to prevent diaper rashes in infants and as a personal hygiene product for women. According to victims who claim that they developed mesothelioma cancer after exposure to Johnson & Johnson baby powder, the talc-based product may be contaminated with carcinogens.

As the mineral talc is often mined near to asbestos, it is possible that asbestos fibers have contaminated some lots of Johnson & Johnson baby powder. A fibrous mineral, asbestos is a known carcinogen and has been linked to mesothelioma.

When asbestos particles are inhaled, they may cause irritation and inflammation in the lungs and the lining of the chest and abdomen. Over time, this irritation and inflammation may lead to scar tissue, and eventually cancer. Unfortunately, it may take years or decades for these cancers to develop, meaning that most victims of mesothelioma or other asbestos-related cancers are unaware of the dangers they have been exposed to until it is much too late.

As asbestos particles may be too small to be seen, many people who have been exposed to the mineral may be unaware they are at risk. And while most people will be exposed to asbestos at some point during their life, minimizing this exposure may prevent adverse health consequences from occurring.

If you have developed mesothelioma or another asbestos-related condition after using Johnson & Johnson baby powder frequently for several years, you may be eligible to pursue compensation from the company. Victims who have suffered from baby powder cancer may be able to recover financial compensation for injuries, pain and suffering, and medical expenses.

Blanca’s Baby Powder Cancer lawsuit is Case No: 19-000727-CA 42, filed in the Circuit Court for Miami-Dade County.