Pharmaceutical giant Johnson & Johnson, which manufactures popular baby powder products like Shower to Shower, has been facing allegations of a link between ovarian cancer and baby powder. However, the company continues to fight against these claims, go to trial, and actively lobby to regain the trust of both politicians and consumers.

Johnson & Johnson spent more than $6.5 million on registered lobbyists in 2018, making it one of the largest pharmaceutical/health products lobbyists today.

At the end of May, Johnson & Johnson went on trial in Oklahoma for allegedly overproducing painkillers and therefore contributing to the deadly opioid epidemic, detailed by the National Health Institute.  But the company has also been facing allegations of a link between ovarian cancer and baby powder use for far longer.

Ovarian Cancer and Baby Powder

The use of talcum-based baby powder products in the genital area as part of a daily hygiene routine has been linked with ovarian cancer, which is a particularly dangerous form of cancer. Indeed, ovarian cancer statistics provided by the American Cancer Society show that it is actually the fifth leading cause of cancer deaths among U.S. women.

Johnson & Johnson has faced a slew of lawsuits over an alleged link between ovarian cancer and baby powder. Lawsuits claim that the company knew about the risk of ovarian cancer associated with baby powder usage, yet failed to warn consumers about the dangers.

In one recent case, a group of 22 women and their families claimed that Johnson & Johnson baby powder contributed to their ovarian cancer. A jury in St. Louis awarded the plaintiffs a collective $4.14 billion in punitive damages, according to NPR, as well as $550 million in compensatory damages.

Johnson & Johnson is appealing the jury’s order and maintains that it’s baby powder products are safe.

“Johnson & Johnson remains confident that its products do not contain asbestos and do not cause ovarian cancer and intends to pursue all available appellate remedies,” said spokesperson Carol Goodrich in a statement.

However, this jury’s decision may spark similar outcomes in future cases. Since the St. Louis jury decision, a New York court ordered the company to pay $300 million in damages for another talcum powder case, according to the Wall Street Journal.

Filing a Baby Powder Cancer Lawsuit

If you or someone love has suffered from ovarian cancer after long-term exposure to talcum-based baby powder, you may be able to file a lawsuit and pursue compensation. Of course, filing a lawsuit cannot take away the pain and suffering caused by ovarian cancer, nor can it bring a loved one back to life, but it can at least help to alleviate the financial burden incurred by medical expenses and lost wages.

Litigation can be stressful, especially after a cancer diagnosis, so Top Class Actions has done some of the work for you by connecting you with an experienced attorney. Consulting an attorney can help you determine if you have a claim, navigate the complexities of litigation, and maximize your potential compensation.