Legal experts and consumer advocacy groups are expecting to see more baby powder lawsuits filed against Johnson & Johnson, alleging their talc based products cause ovarian cancer.

There are currently over 1,200 state and federal baby powder lawsuits filed against Johnson & Johnson from consumers claiming that the company’s talc based baby powder and Shower to Shower powders cause ovarian cancer after applying it for feminine hygiene purposes.

One of these baby powder lawsuits was filed against Johnson & Johnson in Louisiana federal court by plaintiff Paula J.

Like many other women who have filed legal action against Johnson & Johnson, Paula claims she developed ovarian cancer as a direct result of applying baby powder and Shower to Shower to her genital area. According to her claim, she applied the talcum powder products daily from 1974 to 2015 and was not aware of the potential link to ovarian cancer.

According to Melissa Landry, executive director of the Louisiana Lawsuit Abuse Watch, Louisiana is likely to eventually develop a baby powder cancer class action lawsuit because the state is considered “plaintiff friendly.”

In addition, the attorneys for Louisiana are considered “talented and creative” when establishing class action lawsuits.

“The notion of our plaintiff-friendly courts creates at least the perception there is an incentive for filing lawsuits, and class-action lawsuits in particular, in Louisiana courts,” Landry told the Louisiana Record.

The process for the baby powder cancer class action has already begun, and is expected to form into a collective movement against Johnson & Johnson.

Louisiana lawyers are reportedly looking forward to see how this legal movement develops in the state, especially after two recent plaintiff victors in St. Louis court.

Overview of Talcum Powder Ovarian Cancer

There have been several studies to indicate that talc based products can cause ovarian cancer, leading many consumers to allege that Johnson & Johnson had known about the risk before it became common knowledge.

It has been discovered that when applied to the genital area, the talc particles of the powder travel through the woman’s vagina and eventually become embedded in the ovaries.

Approximately eight years later, the particles eventually fester into cancer cells and can quickly overtake the ovaries if not treated in time.

For years women have been applying Johnson & Johnson’s talc based baby powder and Shower to Shower powder for a variety of hygiene purposes including treating vaginal odors.

The company has been accused of advertising their talc products for this purpose, despite allegedly knowing the risk of ovarian cancer.

After the first baby powder cancer lawsuit was filed in 2013, a barrage of similar claims have been filed. With the number of baby powder lawsuits expected to not only continue, but also to be consolidated, Johnson & Johnson may soon face significant legal battles.