A growing number of people are filing lawsuits alleging that exposure to asbestos in baby powder has led to cancer diagnosis. One recent lawsuit, which has been in its hearing stage for weeks, will now progress to the jury for a decision.

The lawsuit alleges that the plaintiff, Carolyn W., developed malignant mesothelioma as a direct result of exposure to asbestos in baby powder. Carolyn’s attorney argued that Johnson & Johnson, the baby powder’s manufacturer, owed her $29 million in compensation, as well as further punitive damages.

According to the lawsuit, Johnson & Johnson failed to warn both Carolyn and consumers as a whole about the risk associated with its product, alleging that the talc used was contaminated with asbestos, a known carcinogen.

According to the lawsuit, Johnson & Johnson avoided having the baby powder product tested for asbestos on purpose in order to avoid the financial losses that could occur if consumers were aware of the possibility.

Baby Powder Cancer Risk

A slew of lawsuits have alleged that Johnson & Johnson’s baby powder can cause ovarian cancer. This is the sixth U.S. lawsuit to allege that asbestos in baby powder caused mesothelioma cancer.

Some baby powder products are (or used to be) made of a substance known as talc. However, studies have linked ovarian cancer and talcum powder, wherein the use of talcum-based powders—including Johnson & Johnson’s popular Shower to Shower—in the genital area has been linked with an increased risk of ovarian cancer diagnosis.

While Johnson & Johnson’s baby powder products have been popular for decades, and have even been advertised for use as a feminine hygiene product, an ever-growing pile of litigation claims that using the product in this manner may put women in danger of developing ovarian cancer.

Ovarian cancer is the fifth highest ranking in cancer deaths among women, affecting mainly older women, and is difficult to detect early on. This means it is often diagnosed after it has reached its later and more dangerous stages.

Filing a Baby Powder Lawsuit

Lawsuits allege that Johnson & Johnson failed to give adequate warning about the risk of cancer linked with its baby powder products, and even misrepresented the safety of the products in its advertising, despite knowledge of the connection between ovarian cancer and talcum powder. New lawsuits are alleging the connection between asbestos in baby powder and mesothelioma.

Jurors have ordered Johnson & Johnson to pay more than $600 million to injured plaintiffs and their families so far.

If you or someone you love has used baby powder as part of a regular feminine hygiene routine, and have since been diagnosed with ovarian cancer or mesothelioma cancer, you may be able to file a baby powder lawsuit. While filing a lawsuit cannot take away the pain and suffering caused by cancer diagnosis, and cannot bring a loved one back to life, it can help to alleviate the financial burden caused by medical expenses and lost wages.