Johnson & Johnson is facing a new talcum powder lawsuit alleging ovarian cancer death, from a grieving daughter claiming the company’s popular hygiene product caused her mother’s terminal illness.

The woman filed this talcum powder lawsuit after discovering the company allegedly knew of the reported correlation between talcum powder and ovarian cancer death, but had failed to warn her mother and the general public.

Plaintiff Claire W. is filing this talcum powder lawsuit on behalf of her deceased mother Judith W., after her mother suffered an ovarian cancer death.

According to the talcum powder lawsuit, Judith’s regular use of the company’s talc based shower to shower and baby powders had caused the development of ovarian cancer. Claire says Judith used the company talcum powder for decades for typical purposes, including personal feminine hygiene. Following the company’s advertisements, Judith and numerous other women often dusted talcum powder on their underwear lining for easy application.

Women were allegedly encouraged to do this by Johnson & Johnson, with marketing statements like “a sprinkle a day keeps the odor away.”

Overview of Talcum Powder Ovarian Cancer Correlation

In result of this regular use, Judith developed ovarian cancer and was diagnosed with the condition at a late state in January 2014. Judith later experienced ovarian cancer death on March 13, 2016, with her daughter filing legal action soon after.

Claire opted to file this talcum powder lawsuit after discovering the number of studies indicating a link between talcum powder and ovarian cancer, and that Johnson & Johnson was aware of these inquiries. Since 1982, there have been over 20 different studies conducted that had observed the alleged correlation between talcum powder and ovarian cancer.

Talcum powder is a staple hygiene product found in millions of homes across America, and is generally considered a safe product by the public. Yet according to the studies, ovarian cancer may occur if talc particles enter the reproductive system and embed themselves in the woman’s ovaries. Researchers believe these talc particles get this opportunity when women dust their genital area with the powders, to reduce odor and wetness.

In addition, these studies found that talc particles had a similar nature to asbestos, a well known carcinogen. Not only was Johnson & Johnson made aware of these studies, but plaintiffs like Claire say the company also had safer alternative ingredients that could have been used in the place of talc like cornstarch.

Even though Johnson & Johnson knew the potential risk of ovarian cancer death in conjunction with their talcum powder product, the company allegedly omitted this information from the products’ labels. Claire states her mother would never have used the company’s talcum powder products, if Judith had known the risk of ovarian cancer death.

At all times relevant, Claire says Judith followed all product instructions and did not deviate from the product’s intended purpose. Claire’s talcum powder lawsuit further alleges that Judith and numerous other consumers could not reasonably discover this risk on their own.

Claire is filing this talcum powder lawsuit raising claims including wrongful death, failure to warn, and negligence.

This Talcum Powder Lawsuit is Case No. 6:18-cv-06047-FPG, in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of New York, Rochester Division.