A recent Johnson and Johnson baby powder lawsuit has been filed by a man on behalf of his deceased mother over allegations that his mother developed ovarian cancer and subsequently died because of her long time use of the company’s popular baby powder product.

Plaintiff Richard S. has filed the Johnson and Johnson baby powder lawsuit on behalf of Lucille S, demanding a jury trial. The Johnson and Johnson baby powder lawsuit was filed in New York federal court joining an astounding number of lawsuits being filed against the company. The lawsuit was filed on June 5, 2018.

According to the Johnson and Johnson baby powder lawsuit, Lucille, born in 1935, used Johnson and Johnson baby powder for nearly her entire life. However, in May 1994 she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. She later died on Oct. 17, 2016.

Richard is the surviving son of Lucille and was appointed executor of her state following her death.

The Johnson and Johnson baby powder lawsuit was filed on multiple counts including failure to warn, design and/or manufacturing defect, negligence, breach of express warranty, breach of implied warranty, punitive damages, negligent misrepresentation, fraudulent concealment, intentional misrepresentation, violation of New York consumer fraud law, restitution or disgorgment based on unjust enrichment, wrongful death and survival counts.

Overview: Johnson and Johnson Baby Powder Lawsuit

Thousands of lawsuits are currently pending in state and federal court by consumers claiming that they or their loved ones developed ovarian cancer following repeated use of Johnson and Johnson baby powder.

There are currently nearly 5,000 lawsuits pending against the company over allegations that they marketed a product while having known the risks associated for ovarian cancer development.

The issue with Johnson and Johnson baby powder is that it is composed of talc, a mineral that reduces friction and absorbs oils and odors. However, it has been concluded by agencies such as the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) that talc may cause cancer. The agency, part of the World Health Organization (WHO), in an overall evaluation of talc stated that, “perineal use of talc-based body powder is possibly carcinogenic to humans (Group 2B).”

Johnson and Johnson began selling talc in 1894 following complaints by consumers complaining of the company’s medicated bandages that irritated their skin. Since then, customers have used talc on their babies’ diaper rash and skin. Taking consumers’ recommendations, Johnson’s Toilet and Baby Powder was born.

The company’s baby powder product has definitely shaped the company’s image most, according to branding experts, although the product does not rank very high in company profits. The giant $338.6 billion company does offer alternative consumer products such as medicines and medical devices.

However, studies have established the correlation between talc particles and ovarian cancer development, including one published in the International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, titled Talc and Carcinoma of the Ovary and Cervix.

According to the study, they reported that “an extraction-replication technique was used to examine tissue from patients with ovarian and cervical tumours. In both conditions talc particles were found deeply embedded within the tumor tissue.”

“The close association of talc to the asbestos group of minerals is of interest.”

The Johnson and Johnson Baby Powder Lawsuit is Case No. 1:18-cv-00638-FPG, in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of New York.