Talc, a common ingredient in talcum powder, has been used by millions of people. Talc is used in a variety of products, including body powder, makeup, and industrial products. Everyone assumed talc was safe. As it turns out, that may not be true.
There are now thousands of lawsuits arguing that baby powder and other products containing talcum powder can cause severe illnesses, including several types of cancer. Companies like Johnson & Johnson continue to say talcum powder products are safe, but there’s strong evidence that Johnson & Johnson has known for decades that talcum powder could be dangerous.
If you developed cancer or another severe illness after regularly using talcum powder products, you may have the right to pursue compensation. Talcum powder lawsuits against Johnson & Johnson and other companies are ongoing, and our attorneys can help you with your case.
Product liability claims and mass torts are two of our firm’s core practice areas. We know how complicated these cases are and how to prevail. We can pursue compensation on your behalf while you focus on your health and spending time with your family. Call us today or visit our contact page for a consultation.
Knowing a little bit about talcum powder and where it comes from illustrates why there are so many of these lawsuits pending. Talcum powder contains the refined form of a clay mineral called talc or talcum. Talc is mined all over the world, from the United States and Europe to the Middle East and the Himalayan Mountains.
To make talcum powder, companies take huge quantities of talc and grind it down. Once the raw talc is in powder form, companies can add it to any number of other products, from cosmetics and lubricants to roofing materials and certain paints. Perhaps most famously, Johnson & Johnson used talcum powder in their popular baby powder.
Using talcum powder in any product that could enter someone’s body is a problem because research shows talcum powder often contains trace amounts of asbestos, which is known to cause cancer. A Reuters investigation from 2018 found Johnson & Johnson knew that their baby powder might have trace amounts of asbestos as far back as 1971 and possibly even earlier. Based on the Reuters investigation and other research, people across the country have filed lawsuits against Johnson & Johnson, as well as other companies that make products containing talcum powder. Johnson & Johnson is currently negotiating an $8.9 billion settlement for many of the talcum powder claims against it, though other cases are still pending.
Scientists suspect talcum powder products cause cancer and other illnesses because the talc is contaminated with asbestos. If someone regularly applies baby powder to their skin, or if they breathe or ingest talcum powder particles, they might inadvertently bring asbestos into their bodies. While talcum powder typically contains only trace amounts of asbestos, repeated exposure increases the number of asbestos fibers in the body, making severe illnesses more likely. Research has shown a link between talcum powder and several potentially deadly diseases, including:
You might qualify for a lawsuit if you regularly used any products containing talcum powder and developed cancer or another severe illness. However, you’ll need to establish a link between your regular use of talcum powder products and your condition. This is something our lawyers can help with, and some of the evidence we might use includes:
There’s no harm in talking to a lawyer if you’re not sure whether you can join a talcum powder lawsuit. Our attorneys can evaluate your claim and tell you if you’re eligible to file a lawsuit and how much you could recover if so.
Your compensation from a talcum powder lawsuit depends on the severity of your illness, your medical bills and other expenses, the evidence that supports your claim, and other factors. Our talcum powder lawyers can help you seek maximum compensation for your losses, which may include money for:
Recovering compensation in a talcum powder lawsuit requires an experienced and tenacious attorney. The companies being sued have vigorously disputed these claims and will not give up without a fight. Our talcum powder attorneys can help you with your case by:
Johnson & Johnson is in the final stages of negotiating an $8.9 billion settlement related to talcum powder claims, so don’t wait to talk to an attorney. Call us today or visit our contact page for a consultation.