A baby powder cancer lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson is moving forward, with a Counsel Status Hearing scheduled for July 14 in Missouri court to discuss the pending talcum powder litigation. At the Counsel Status Hearing, a judge will determine which complaints are going to trial and which complaints have been resolved.

Over 50 plaintiffs filed the talcum powder lawsuit in December of 2014. The plaintiffs allege that they developed ovarian cancer as a result of using talcum based powders. Some of the plaintiffs are bringing suit on behalf of a loved one who died due to baby powder ovarian cancer. In addition to the talcum powder manufacturer Johnson & Johnson, defendants in the suit include Walgreens drugstore and Imerys talc mining company.

Overview of Ovarian Baby Powder Cancer

Many women use talcum-based baby powders on their genital region to prevent moisture build up and for other personal hygiene uses. Popular products include Johnson & Johnson’s Baby Powder and Shower to Shower powder. Unfortunately, using talc-based powders for feminine hygeine purposes has been linked to an increased risk of ovarian cancer.

Talc is made up of small particles that are sometimes compared to asbestos. Medical researchers warn that when the talc particles are applied to the genital area, they can travel up into a woman’s pelvis and lodge deep in her ovaries. The particles remain in the body for several years, causing inflammation and an environment that allows cancer cells to flourish. According to medical studies, using talc-based products for genital hygiene purposes increases a woman’s chances of developing ovarian cancer by 24 percent.

The American Cancer Society estimates that in 2014 alone, nearly 14,270 women will die from ovarian cancer in the U.S. Symptoms of ovarian cancer often develop well after the cancer has taken root in a woman’s body, causing many cases of ovarian cancer to remain undiscovered until the cancer has progressed to a late stage, at which point chances of recovery are low.

Baby Powder Cancer Lawsuits

Across the nation, women and their loved ones are filing lawsuits against companies like Johnson & Johnson that produced and marketed talcum based baby powder products, and failed to warn consumers about the possibility of dangerous side effects.

Baby powder cancer lawsuits generally include claims of negligence, breach of warranty, product liability, failure to warn, and fraud and misrepresentation. Awards and settlements from these lawsuits help hold companies accountable for their actions by reminding the companies that they owe their consumers a duty of care. Damages from these lawsuits also help pay for medical bills and compensate victims for their pain and suffering.