According to the U.S. District Judge in charge of all federal talcum powder cases, new cases can be filed directly into the multidistrict litigation, or MDL. This ruling allows the initial proceedings of these talcum powder cases to move more smoothly and efficiently.

Essentially, the case management order issued by Judge Wolfson, who presides over the federal MDL, allows plaintiffs to file their talcum powder cases through a Short Form Complaint document and avoids the kinds of delays associated with transferring such claims from U.S. District Courts across the country.

The talcum powder cases already in the MDL have been filed by and on behalf of women across the country alleging that they have suffered from ovarian cancer due to long-term use of Johnson & Johnson talcum powder products.

Indeed, talcum powder cases have been filed over both Johnson’s Baby Powder and Johnson & Johnson Shower-to-Shower products. The development of ovarian cancer has been linked with the use of talcum powder products in the genital area.

Lawsuits claim that Johnson & Johnson knew about the risks of ovarian cancer linked with talcum powder, yet failed to warn customers of these risks—even continuing to market the product as something to help adult women maintain what they referred to as “personal freshness.”

Talcum Powder Basics

Baby powder can be based on one of two different formulations: cornstarch and talc. It is the talc-based powders, sometimes called talcum powder, that have been linked with a possible increased risk of ovarian cancer.

Allegations of a link between talc-based powders such as Johnson & Johnson’s Baby Powder or Shower-to-Shower products and ovarian cancer have been the cause for extreme concern among the women who have used this product or others like it, especially for those who have used talcum powder for years or even a lifetime.

According to baby powder lawsuits, studies have shown a substantial connection between talc-based baby powders and ovarian cancer, including evidence of talc within some ovarian tumors.

Plaintiffs claim that this evidence should be cause for action, but Johnson & Johnson and other companies that produce talc-based baby powders have failed to give adequate warning about these dangers on their products.

Talcum Powder Cases

Women involved in these talcum powder cases believe that companies that manufacture and market baby powder products are responsible for providing adequate warnings of the risks involved in using their product.

Plaintiffs claim that adequate knowledge of these potentially serious risks would have prevented them from using the product, and therefore would have allowed them to avoid an ovarian cancer diagnosis altogether.

If you or someone you love has used Johnson’s Baby Powder or a similar powder product containing talc and have since been diagnosed with ovarian cancer, you may be able to file a lawsuit and join these talcum powder cases in the federal MDL.