A Johnson & Johnson lawsuit alleges the company purposely failed to disclose the risk of ovarian cancer linked to the use of their talc-based baby powder products.

Plaintiff Sally M. of New Orleans used Johnson’s baby powder products for feminine hygiene purposes and in 1998 was diagnosed with ovarian cancer.

At the time of the diagnosis, Sally did not have any risk factors, genetic, or otherwise, for the disease; she tested negative for the BCRA gene mutation, according to the Johnson & Johnson lawsuit.

In 1998, Sally underwent surgery to remove both of her fallopian tubes and a hysterectomy.  She received chemotherapy treatments following the surgery.

Sally had a second reoccurrence of cancer and underwent chemotherapy treatments between 2001-2002.

She has a third reoccurrence of cancer and a second surgery was performed with subsequent chemotherapy treatments.

Sally states she was not aware of the potential causation between talcum powder and her ovarian cancer until early 2016.  She is seeking compensatory damages for mental anguish, humiliation, embarrassment, los of enjoyment of life and all such other non-pecuniary damages along with economic damages,

She is requesting the damages be considered separately and individually in her Johnson & Johnson lawsuit for the purpose of determining the sum of money that will fairly and reasonably compensate her for the severe impairment to her ovaries and reproductive system, medical expenses, loss wages and income, treble damages, and more.

Consumers Not Adequately Warned

Talcum powder have been sold as a hygiene product for over a century and has been marketed and used as a feminine hygiene product, a moisture absorbent, and countless other uses. However, in 1971 researchers discovered a link between applying talcum powder to female genitals and a 30% greater risk of ovarian cancer.

As early as the 1970s, researchers began observing that talcum powder was present in ovarian tumors. Studies in 1982, 2003, and 2013 echoed the same finding: talcum powder use led to a 30% higher likelihood of developing ovarian cancer.

Many of these studies were reportedly brought to the attention of Johnson & Johnson, but the corporate giant never issued a general warning about talcum powder or the side effects of its use.

Filing a Johnson & Johnson Lawsuit

There are over 1,800 Johnson & Johnson lawsuits because they allegedly failed to disclose the risk of talcum powder use to millions of consumers over the course of several decades.  Many of these Johnson & Johnson lawsuits have already substantially compensated women and their loved ones who were affected by Johnson’s baby powder products.

Already two juries in St. Louis have hit Johnson and Johnson hard for its talcum powder — awarding $72 million to one cancer plaintiff and $55 million to another. Johnson and Johnson is appealing the awards.

If you or a loved one developed ovarian or other type of cancer and you have a history of using talcum powder, you should contact a specialized baby powder cancer attorney immediately. It is possible that your cancer is linked to the use of talc, a mineral known to cause aggressive tumor growth upon entering the body.