What Is Talc or Talcum Powder?

Talcum powder is composed of talc, a mineral made up predominantly of natural elements like magnesium, silicon, and oxygen. In its powder form, talc helps to absorb moisture and prevent rashes by keeping the skin dry. This makes it seemingly ideal in cosmetics or personal hygiene products like baby powder.

However, to gather talc for these products, the mineral is mined from the earth, where it's often contaminated with asbestos, a known cancer-causing substance.

According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), exposure to asbestos in talc products is associated with an increased risk of ovarian cancer and other illnesses.

For decades, companies sold asbestos-containing talcum products without warning consumers about the risks. Worse, these products were often promoted as safe or healthy for individuals.

Now, many families have turned to filing Johnson & Johnson talcum powder ovarian cancer lawsuits to seek justice and compensation to help pay for treatment.

Talcum Powder Cancer Lawsuits Filed Nationwide

Johnson & Johnson® has faced tens of thousands of lawsuits claiming that consistent talcum powder use caused innocent people to develop ovarian cancer and other serious illnesses.

The corporation has been such a big target because it knew its talc products were dangerous for decades.

In fact, in 1975, Johnson & Johnson released an internal memo ordering management to stop all talc safety studies. The pharma giant was afraid these studies would uncover evidence that their products were harmful and put them to a halt — prioritizing their profits at the expense of the consumer's well-being.

Johnson & Johnson talcum powder lawsuits allege that the company's baby powder can cause:

• Lung cancer
• Ovarian cancer
• Stomach cancer
• Uterine cancer
• Other forms of cancer & serious illnesses

Now these billion-dollar companies expect you to pay for the illnesses they may be responsible for — but our talc powder lawyers may be able to hold J&J accountable and pursue the compensation you need for treatment.

You want a lawyer who will fight for you. At Sokolove Law, we are compassionate with those who turn to us — and relentless with those who’ve done them wrong.

Who Qualifies for the Talcum Powder Lawsuit?

You may be eligible to file a Johnson & Johnson talcum powder lawsuit if you or a loved one:

• Used talc-based baby powder regularly or for a long period
• Has since been diagnosed with ovarian cancer or another type of cancer

Not sure if you qualify? Contact Sokolove Law now by filling out our contact form or calling (800) 995-1212. There's no cost to speak with us, and our team is available 24/7 to help.

Choosing the Right Talc Powder Lawyer

It can be difficult to be sure you're finding a talcum powder attorney who has the experience, resources, and skilled needed for such a complicated legal case.

To find the best talcum powder lawyer for your case, be sure to look for a firm that can offer you:

• Free Case Reviews: Does the law firm offer a free, no-obligation consultation on your talc legal claim?
• A Successful Track Record: Has the talcum powder law firm had success in past cases like yours (verdicts and/or settlements)?
• Decades of Experience: Does the law firm have the long-term experience needed to fight for your talcum powder case?
• A Nationwide Reach: Can these baby powder cancer lawyers work across state lines with a national network to properly handle your case?

Over the last 40+ years, Sokolove Law has recovered over $8.9 Billion for thousands of clients across the country. Get the help you deserve by calling (800) 995-1212 now.

Steps in the Talc Powder Lawsuit Process

When you work with the experienced talc powder lawyers at Sokolove Law, you can leave the legal legwork to us and spend your time focusing on what matters most: your health and your loved ones.

Generally speaking, filing a Johnson & Johnson talc powder lawsuit follows the steps below, though every case is different.

1. Determining Talc Powder Lawsuit Eligibility

The first step of the legal process is to determine if the injured party is eligible to file a talcum powder claim. Thankfully, our team can let you know more about your eligibility for free.

Simply call (800) 995-1212 or fill out our contact form now. We'll gather some information from you and let you know if you qualify.

2. Building the Case by Gathering Evidence

To build a strong case on your behalf, your legal team at Sokolove Law will gather evidence that substantiates your claim. We'll look to establish what products you were exposed to, how long you were exposed to, and what you were diagnosed with as a result. Our team will gather things like your medical records or work history to help show the damages that you suffered.

3. Filing a Talc Powder Lawsuit Within State Deadlines

Depending on your case, it may be more valuable to file your talc powder lawsuit alone or bundle it with similar cases in a talcum powder class action lawsuit or multidistrict litigation (MDL). Your talcum powder lawyers will recommend which option may award you with the most compensation in your case.

In any case, your legal team can file the talc powder cancer lawsuit for you and work to ensure it's filed before the statute of limitations or state-specific deadline passes.

4. Negotiate Talc Powder Lawsuit Settlements

Most lawsuits are settled before the case goes to trial. Through a talc powder settlement, neither party is found at fault, and you will receive a lump sum of money. Talc powder settlements typically can be reached more quickly than taking the case before a jury.

5. Present Your Talc Powder Case in a Court Trial

If no agreement can be reached in a settlement, the case will go to trial. Johnson & Johnson has been known to fight talc powder lawsuits in the past, and our attorneys are prepared to fight on your behalf in court if necessary. It usually takes longer to receive compensation from a trial, and there is no guarantee you will win.

Talcum Powder Lawsuit Settlement Amounts & Verdicts

Though talcum powder companies claim their products are safe, numerous victims have already received compensation from talcum powder lawsuit settlements and jury awards.

Past Johnson & Johnson talcum powder lawsuit verdicts include:

• $2.1 Billion (initially $4.7 Billion) to 22 women: In this landmark class-action case, 22 women claimed that asbestos in Johnson & Johnson talcum powder caused their ovarian cancer. This verdict was awarded by a St. Louis, Missouri jury in July 2018, but the initial $4.7 Billion verdict was later reduced to $2.1 Billion. As recently as June 2021, Johnson & Johnson has continued to try to appeal the verdict but has not been successful.
• $70 Million to a woman with terminal cancer: In 2016, courts awarded $70 Million in punitive damages to a California woman with ovarian cancer. She was first diagnosed in 2013 after prolonged use of Johnson’s Baby Powder.
• $29 Million to a California woman: A jury recently sided with a woman who had cancer that lined her internal organs. According to the New York Times, the woman had used talc products from Johnson & Johnson for over 30 years. She was first diagnosed with cancer in 2017 and won the case in 2019.

Talcum Powder Compensation Can Help Pay for Treatment

Treating talc-related cancer can be extremely expensive, with some procedures costing tens of thousands of dollars. This does not account for the added costs of hospital stays, therapy plans, and lost income if you can no longer work.

At Sokolove Law, our talcum powder lawyers have the experience and resources to help those eligible get as much compensation as possible.

The History of Talcum Powder and Ovarian Cancer

Talcum powder ovarian cancer studies have shown a clear link between talcum powder and cancer for decades, firmly linking repeated use of talc products to an increased risk of ovarian cancer.

The most common talc-related ovarian cancer diagnosis is epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). Epithelial tumors grow on the outer surface of the ovaries and come in several varieties, all of which are affected by prolonged use of talc powder.

In 1982, Harvard Medical School professor Dr. David Cramer published the first scientific study designating talcum powder use as a risk factor for ovarian cancer. Subsequent research published through the 1980s and 1990s supported Dr. Cramer’s findings.

A study published in 1992 urged manufacturers to put warning labels on talcum powder products because of the threat to women’s health.

In fact, Johnson & Johnson lawyers admitted in federal court that the company had been aware of the research associating ovarian cancer with talc since the early 1980s. Still, the corporation intentionally decided not to put warnings on their packaging or in their ads.

If you've been diagnosed with ovarian cancer after using talc-based products, you may be able to hold the manufacturer accountable by taking legal action. Our talcum powder attorneys are dedicated to helping innocent victims get justice.

Talcum Powder Ovarian Cancer Symptoms

The symptoms of ovarian cancer tend to hide in plain sight, resembling symptoms of other, less dangerous conditions. Any woman experiencing the symptoms below for more than a few weeks should speak to her doctor as soon as possible for proper screening.

Ovarian cancer symptoms may include:

• Back pain
• Bloating
• Constant fullness/trouble eating
• Constipation
• Fatigue
• Frequent urination
• Menstrual changes
• Pelvic or abdominal pain
• Stomach swelling
• Weight loss

If you believe the use of talc caused you to develop ovarian cancer, you may be able to file a talcum powder ovarian cancer lawsuit to pursue financial compensation.

Johnson & Johnson Talcum Powder Lawsuit Update

In recent years, Johnson & Johnson has become arguably the biggest target for talcum powder lawsuits. The company has faced over 40,000 lawsuits, which claim that their talc-based products led to deadly forms of cancer.

Johnson & Johnson lost their first talcum powder case in February 2016 when a woman in Alabama, who developed ovarian cancer from using their baby powder, won $72 Million in compensatory damages.

Since then, there have been several multi-million dollar jury verdicts against Johnson & Johnson talcum powder — in New Jersey, California, Missouri, and across the U.S.

What Did Johnson & Johnson Do Wrong?

Johnson & Johnson has consistently proclaimed that its talc-based body powders and feminine hygiene products are not contaminated with asbestos.

According to Reuters, Johnson & Johnson knew for decades that their talc products led to deadly forms of cancer. In fact, evidence indicates that Johnson & Johnson has known about the dangers associated with the continuous use of talcum products since the 1970s.

Instead of acknowledging these risks, the company concealed the facts and continued to use talc in many of its products.

The company generated a memo on March 3, 1975, instructing its managers to stop all internal studies into the safety of talc products in order to avoid uncovering anything that might be damaging or embarrassing.

Company policy was to only initiate studies as a reaction to confrontation. This information only came to light in recent years after lawsuits made company documents publicly available.

In February 2021, the company set aside $3.9 Billion for victims of talc-related litigation. The sizable amount set aside for litigation expenses was almost double what the company planned to set aside at the end of 2020. This could mean victims of Johnson & Johnson’s talc-based products have access to compensation.

Johnson & Johnson Stops Sales of Talc Products Globally

In May 2020, Johnson & Johnson announced that it will discontinue sales of talc-based baby powder in the United States and Canada. This announcement came after testing by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) found asbestos contamination in select Johnson & Johnson talc products in 2019.

However, with dozens of lawsuits mounting against the corporation, many are speculating whether the decision to pull one of their best-known products is really about diminishing sales.

In August 2022, the company announced it will also halt sales of talc-based products globally beginning in 2023. Instead of taking accountability for the known dangers of its products, the company claimed the decision was to “simplify product offerings and meet evolving global trends” instead.

It has become all too possible that Johnson & Johnson is seeing the writing on the wall — and, now that the danger of their products has been exposed to the public, there’s no turning back. For the consumers’ sake, Johnson & Johnson is hopefully realizing the end game is near.

Get Help from Talcum Powder Cancer Lawyers

As more and more talc lawsuits link talcum powder to deadly forms of cancer, one thing becomes clear: Companies put profits over people.

Instead of warning anyone or recalling their products, talcum powder companies actively worked to hide the dangers of their products, making billions of dollars in profit while innocent people suffered.

For over 40 years, Sokolove Law has stood up to corporations like this that put their profits ahead of innocent people. Working with an experienced product liability law firm can make the legal process easier and increase your chances of success.

Our goal is to make the legal process easier for you, so you can focus on your health.

If you have a case, our talcum powder lawyers will work on your behalf to hold the companies responsible for their wrongdoing — at no out-of-pocket cost to you. We only get paid if you do

We've recovered over $8.9 Billion for people harmed by corporate greed. Let us fight for the compensation you may be entitled to.

Call Sokolove Law at (800) 995-1212 or start a free legal case review today.

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Talc Powder Lawsuit FAQs