Sacramento Ovarian Cancer Attorney
I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento ovarian cancer attorney. Our firm knows how deeply upsetting it can be when you first learn that your ovarian cancer may be directly linked to your long-term usage of a talc baby or body powder. You naturally thought you could trust the maker of the product to provide you with a safe and effective means for handling your personal hygiene needs.
Rest assured knowing that our firm is ready to offer you the legal advice you’ll need while you also seek out further treatments based on your recent ovarian cancer diagnosis.
Here’s a brief overview of recent litigation regarding similar claims – and what’s currently known about how the mineral talc in body powder can play a role in women developing ovarian cancer.
Johnson & Johnson Lost a $72 Million Baby Powder Lawsuit in 2016 Involving Talc
A Missouri jury awarded $72 million to 62-year-old Jackie Fox’s family in February of 2016. This verdict was based on Mrs. Fox’s claim that using defendant Johnson & Johnson’s talcum powder for 50 years was directly linked to her developing ovarian cancer. Although she died while her case was still in the courts, Mrs. Fox’s family kept pursuing her claim.
The Fox case pleadings clearly argued that Johnson & Johnson — the maker of the plaintiff’s powder — not only knew about the risks of putting talc in such products, it failed to properly warn consumers about this risk.
This case was one of 50 brought against this defendant – clearly indicating that far more similar ones will be brought in the future. Many of these cases rely on studies and publications dating back to 1971 that indicate that it’s probably the asbestos in talc powder that’s so dangerous and carcinogenic. One particularly alarming study noted that talc particles had been found deeply embedded in some women’s ovarian tumors.
The American Cancer Society notes on its website, last updated in 2016, that since there may be an increased risk for users of talcum powder to develop ovarian cancer – consumers may want to limit their use of it – or avoid it altogether.
New Concerns for Baby/Body Powder Products – Voluntary Recall by The Honest Company
In January of 2017, the Honest Company (co-founded by celebrity Jessica Alba) voluntarily recalled its organic baby powder. This was done after its ongoing product safety tests revealed that some units may contain microbial contamination. The company was naturally alarmed since it prides itself on using non-toxic, environmentally friendly substances in its products. Those in-house tests further revealed that the contamination may cause skin and eye infections.
The Honest Company immediately contacted the FDA to share its findings.
Additional information about this specific recall can be located on the FDA’s website under Cosmetics – Recalls and Alerts.
Will Many Other Companies Selling Baby – or General Body — Powder Products Be Sued?
There’s a distinct likelihood that other companies will be sued if female consumers become convinced that other powders – especially those used for lengthy periods of time – are directly linked to their ovarian cancer diagnoses.
Other potential defendants named in articles on the dangers of talc powders include Gold Bond, Clubman Pinaud, Nivea, and Shower to Shower. It’s interesting to note that at least one of these companies – Gold Bond — now markets a body powder product at Walgreen’s with a label clearly indicating that it’s a 100% Talc Free Formula.
Although the public can’t know for sure why this specific product clearly indicates that it’s free of talc, chances are that all cosmetic and baby/body powder manufacturers are now keenly aware that talc product users may have a significantly higher risk of developing ovarian and other types of cancer.
Sacramento Ovarian Cancer & Talcum Powder Injury Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, and I’m a Sacramento ovarian cancer attorney. If you have been diagnosed with ovarian cancer and you regularly used baby powder or similar products containing talc in the genital area, call me in Sacramento at (916) 921-6400 for free, friendly advice. When calling outside of Sacramento, use my toll-free number: (800) 404-5400.
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Photo Attribution: Austin Kirk (https://www.flickr.com/photos/aukirk/12795954293/) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
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