Johnson & Johnson sought to remove two baby powder cancer lawsuits to federal court, claiming that the plaintiffs made fraudulent allegations so that their cases would not be tried in federal court. The two plaintiffs allege that Johnson & Johnson’s baby powder products caused them to develop ovarian cancer.

Baby Powder Cancer Lawsuits

One baby powder cancer lawsuit was filed by Candace L. on March 27, 2015, against Johnson & Johnson and Walgreen Co. Candace allegedly used Johnson & Johnson’s baby powder and Shower to Shower for feminine hygiene for over 30 years. In the baby powder cancer lawsuit, she claims she developed ovarian cancer because of the talcum powder in Johnson & Johnson’s baby powder products. She is seeking an excess of $50,000 in damages.

The second baby powder cancer lawsuit was filed by Judith H. on April 9, 2015, and also included Walgreen Co. in her list of defendants. Judith claims she used Johnson & Johnson’s baby powder from 1964 to 2013. She alleges that it was this long term use of baby powder products absent of adequate warnings that caused her to develop ovarian cancer. Judith is seeking over $400,000 in damages and other awards. 

Johnson & Johnson sought to remove both baby powder cancer lawsuits to federal court because they included Walgreen Co. in the lawsuit and because of the diversity of citizenship. The company claimed that the only reason the plaintiffs included Walgreen Co. was so that Johnson & Johnson would not be able to defend themselves in federal court. Walgreen Co., according to the baby powder manufacturer, “did nothing more than provide shelf space for the retail of consumer products.”

Regarding the diversity of citizenship claims, Johnson & Johnson pointed out that between the defendants, citizenship includes New Jersey, Delaware, and California.

Baby Powder Cancer Risks

Johnson & Johnson’s baby powder and Shower to Shower are popular consumer products that thousands of women across the country have used for feminine hygiene purposes for decades. The company has been accused of marketing their baby powder products for feminine hygiene purposes despite the fact that such uses are not mentioned anywhere on the label.

What many do not know is that baby powder contains talcum powder, a potential carcinogen. Studies have long suggested that talcum powder exposure in the genitals greatly increases the risk of developing ovarian cancer. One study found that women who used talcum powder in their genital area had a 92 percent increased chance of developing ovarian cancer.

Despite this high risk and the large numbers of women who may have developed baby powder cancer, there is no warning about the risks of talcum powder anywhere on the products. The baby powder warning only says to keep the product out of infant’s eyes.

As a result, many baby powder cancer lawsuits have been filed against Johnson & Johnson. A baby powder class action lawsuit is currently underway.