Two baby powder cancer lawsuits have been moved to federal court at the request of defendant Johnson & Johnson.

Plaintiffs Candace L. and Judith H. filed separate lawsuits against Johnson & Johnson, Imerys Talc America Inc., Johnson & Johnson Consumer Companies Inc., and Walgreens Co. alleging that the baby powder they used for decades caused them to develop ovarian cancer. 

Johnson & Johnson attorneys argued that the removal of the cases is appropriate based on citizenship factors. Johnson & Johnson is headquartered in New Jersey while the other named defendant Imerys is a based in California and Delaware.

The defendants believe plaintiffs Candace and Judith deliberately added Walgreens to the baby powder lawsuit in order to deprive the “defendants’ of their right to a federal forum.”

Johnson & Johnson filed a notice of removal from Madison County Circuit Court to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois.

Baby Powder Cancer Lawsuits Overview

Plaintiff Candace claims she used the talc powder products including Johnson’s Baby Powder and Shower to Shower talcum powder for more than 30 years as a regular part of her feminine hygiene routine. She is seeking more than $50,000 from the makers of these products after being diagnosed with ovarian cancer.

Judith alleges she developed ovarian cancer after using Johnson’s Baby Powder on her genital area for nearly 50 years. Judith is seeking more than $400,000 in damages.

The baby powder cancer lawsuits both mention studies that have linked talc powder to an increased chance of developing ovarian cancer. In 1982, a medical study found that women who use talc powder for feminine hygiene purposes have a 92 percent greater risk of developing cancer.

Many women filing similar baby powder cancer lawsuits claim they were unaware of the risks of ovarian cancer and allege talcum powder manufacturers failed to adequately warn consumers.

Ovarian Cancer Studies

The American Cancer Society estimates there were 22,000 new ovarian cancer cases diagnosed in the United States last year. Medical researchers have discovered that talc particles, the main ingredient in Johnson’s Baby Powder, has been found in 75 percent of biopsied ovarian tumors. According to medical reports, talcum particles are able to travel from the vagina into the reproductive area leaving women susceptible to developing ovarian cancer.

Ovarian cancer symptoms include frequent urination, weight loss, constipation, discomfort in pelvis area, abdominal swelling, and a quick feeling of being full when eating.

Talcum Powder Lawsuits

Nearly 40 percent of women claim to use a baby powder product as part of their daily hygiene. Many consumers believe talcum powder products are marketed for safe, daily use.

For instance, Johnson’s Baby Powder is marketed as “clinically proven to be gentle and mild for your baby’s skin.” According to baby powder lawsuits, many consumers believe that if a product is safe to use on an infant it probably does not pose any serious health risks.

In addition, Shower to Shower is marketed with the phrase “a sprinkle a day keeps odor away.” Neither product carries a health risk warning, which has led to hundreds of lawsuits from consumers who developed ovarian cancer and allege it was caused by talcum powder use.

The Baby Powder Cancer Lawsuits are Case No. 15-L-84 and Case No. 15-L-409 in the Madison County Circuit Court.