Plaintiff David D. has filed a talc powder wrongful death lawsuit against the Johnson & Johnson company on behalf of his deceased wife Brenda D., who he says suffered a talcum powder related death due to J&J’s products.

According to the talc powder wrongful death lawsuit, Brenda was a resident of Florida when she died in September 2015.

David says Brenda began using the defendant’s talcum powder products Johnson’s Baby Powder and Shower-to-Shower when she was born that same year in April 1953. She kept using these products until the month she died.

Johnson & Johnson and Imerys Talc face the following counts against them: 1) Strict Liability-Failure to Warn; 2) Strict Liability-Defective Manufacturer and Design; 3) Breach of Express Warranties; 4) Breach of Implied Warranty of Merchantability; 5) Breach of Implied Warranty of Fitness for a Particular Purpose; 6) Negligence; 7) Negligent Misrepresentation; 8) Fraud; 9) Violation of State Consumer Protection Laws of the State of Florida; 10) Fraudulent Concealment; 11) Civil Conspiracy; 12) Punitive Damages; 13) Discovery Rule and Tolling; 14) Wrongful Death; 15) Survival Action.

The plaintiff demands a trial by jury.

Ovarian Cancer and Talc Products

It has been reported that Johnson & Johnson’s Shower-to-Shower baby powder products have a main ingredient, talc, that has been linked to an increased risk of developing ovarian cancer.

Talc is a soft mineral and can absorb moisture well. By absorbing moisture, it is also able to reduce friction as well. This is what makes talc a useful component for Johnson & Johnson products.

Studies since 1971 have maintained that there is a link between the use of talc related products and the condition of ovarian cancer. Scientists believe that when talcum powder is applied near a woman’s perineal area, talc particles can migrate through the vagina and lodge in the ovaries, where they eventually trigger the development of cancer cells.

Ovarian cancer is one of the more dangerous forms of cancer in part because it does not present with signs or symptoms early in its development. Later, some symptoms of ovarian cancer may include loss of appetite, weight loss, abdominal or pelvic pain, bloating, changes in bowel habits, indigestion, and nausea.

Plaintiffs allege that J&J had known of these purported risks all along. They had allegedly known since 1982 of the risks that their Shower-to-Shower and Johnson’s Baby Powder products may increase a women’s likelihood of developing ovarian cancer. However, they allegedly failed to warn or notify their consumers and the general public of these alleged risks.

As many as 4,800 women have filed lawsuits against J&J for the development of complications and adverse effects, including the development of ovarian cancer.

This Talc Powder Wrongful Death Lawsuit is Case No. 3:17-cv-08533-FLW-LHG. It’s part of the Talcum Powder MDL, In re: Johnson & Johnson Talcum Powder Products Marketing, Sales Practices, and Products Liability Litigation, MDL No. 2738, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana.