A recent baby powder lawsuit filed by four women claims that Johnson & Johnson baby powder products are directly linked to ovarian cancer.

Three women from Washington diagnosed with ovarian cancer and one family member of a woman from Oregon who died of cancer in 2015 joined together to bring the baby powder lawsuit.

They similarly allege that Johnson & Johnson knew its talcum powder products were linked to cancer and did not warn consumers.

Plaintiffs in the baby powder lawsuit filed in Los Angeles Superior Court include:

• Peggy G. of Oregon. Peggy was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in November 2008 after using the product for decades. She passed away from ovarian cancer on Feb. 23, 2015.
• Annalisa W. of Washington. Annalisa was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in April 2016 after using the product for decades.
• Marcy M. of Washington. Marcy was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in August 2010 after using the product for decades.
• Meredith M. of Washington. Meredith was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in August 2013 after using the product for decades.

Not the First Baby Powder Lawsuit

As these women bring their baby powder lawsuit to court, thousands of others are also bringing light to the issue.

The first baby powder lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson concerning its talcum powder products was filed in 2009 by a then 49-year old South Dakota woman who was diagnosed with ovarian cancer after using Johnson’s baby powder products for years. Although the woman did win the case, she was not awarded any damages.

Since the first case, thousands of baby powder lawsuits have been filed by women across the US, now totaling over 2,000. In three specific cases, women were awarded millions in damages.

Although juries in those three cases found that there is indeed a link between the products and cancer, numerous studies over the past 40 years have been split on results.

Baby Powder and Ovarian Cancer

The link between ovarian cancer and talcum powder was originally discovered in 1971 in a study that revealed talc particles in the ovarian tissue of cancer patients.

This was the first instance in which medical professionals realized women were at risk when using the powder on their genitals, sanitary pads, diaphragms, and in condoms. Talc particles easily made their way into the vagina and were able to travel deeper into the reproductive organs.

One sample study demonstrated the ability of carbon particles to travel through the vagina and into the fallopian tubes in as little as 30 minutes, leading researchers to believe the same was possible with talc particles.

Despite the original findings and subsequent studies that have supported the original research, talc mining companies and Johnson & Johnson continue to claim that no link exists between the two and as a result has never issued a warning on their products telling consumers about the alleged dangers.

As more woman and their families come forward, many are pursuing baby powder lawsuits against Johnson & Johnson and other talcum powder manufacturers. These lawsuits claim the manufacturers were aware of the risks of ovarian cancer, but hid information from customers to continue to increase profits.

If you or a loved one has been a long-time user of Johnson & Johnson powder or any other talcum powder product and received an ovarian cancer diagnosis, you may be eligible for financial compensation. An experienced attorney can review your individual case free of charge and help you determine if filing a baby powder lawsuit is the best recourse for you.