Johnson & Johnson is facing a new talcum powder lawsuit from a grieving widower, alleging the company’s talcum powder products killed his wife. In the man’s talcum powder lawsuit, he claims the talcum powder products ultimately caused his wife to develop and later die from ovarian cancer.

Plaintiff Michael B. is filing this talcum powder lawsuit on behalf of his late wife Debra B., who used the powder products for general hygiene purposes. Debra used talcum powder products on a regular basis for years for feminine hygiene reasons, which allegedly led to her developing ovarian cancer.

According to the talcum powder lawsuit, Debra was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in November 2012 and survived only a couple years more after its discovery. Even with the help of medical intervention, Debra ultimately died from ovarian cancer on May 31, 2015.

Michael filed this talcum powder lawsuit on behalf of his wife after discovering ovarian cancer was reported from other patients.

Overview of Talcum Powder Ovarian Cancer Risk

The alleged link between talcum powder and ovarian cancer has been studied for years, after scientists discovered troubling evidence in the early 1970s.

The first epidemiological study was conducted in 1982, in which researchers reported that women faced a 92% increased risk of ovarian cancer when talcum powder is applied to their genital area. Ever since then, there have been 22 other studies conducted that produced similar results.

Researchers theorize that when talcum powder is applied to the woman’s genital area, the talc particles enter the body and eventually embed themselves into the ovaries. After a certain number of years, the particles may trigger the development of cancer cells.

While ovarian cancer can be treated effectively if caught in early stages, this disease can be potentially fatal otherwise. Even though this alleged correlation can be devastating to patients, Johnson & Johnson allegedly failed to warn the public.

For decades, Johnson & Johnson advertised their talc based products as safe and effective treatment methods for unwanted friction, wetness and odor. Most popularly, the company’s Johnson’s Baby Powder and Shower to Shower products are used most popularly to treat diaper rash and for a feminine hygiene purpose.

Talcum powder has been used for feminine hygiene for decades, with the public largely unaware of the product’s alleged link to ovarian cancer. Many talcum powder users have filed legal action against Johnson & Johnson for failing to warn the public.

Michael is one of the claimants, claiming his wife followed all product instructions and did not use the products for any off-label purposes. Based on the numerous studies conducted, Michael claims Johnson & Johnson either knew or should have known of the alleged connection between talcum powder and ovarian cancer.

Michael states that Debra never would have used the products if she had known the risk of talcum powder ovarian cancer.

This Talcum Powder Lawsuit is Case No. 3:17-cv-00555, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia.