Johnson & Johnson Faces New Talcum Powder Ovarian Cancer Lawsuit
A growing number of talcum powder lawsuits are being filed against Johnson & Johnson over product side effects including ovarian cancer.
A new talcum powder lawsuit has been brought against Johnson & Johnson on behalf of an Alabama woman, who alleges that side effects of the company’s talc-based Baby Powder product caused her to develop ovarian cancer. The complaint was brought by Karen Broussard and her husband, Norris, in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey on October 16, and suggests that J&J failed to provide consumers with adequate warnings about the link between ovarian cancer and talcum powder for feminine hygiene purposes. If you have been diagnosed with ovarian cancer, and you believe talcum powder side effects to be the cause, contact an experienced talcum powder cancer lawyer today for legal help.
Potential Side Effects of Talc-Based Body Powders
According to Karen Broussard’s complaint, she regularly used Johnson & Johnson’s Baby Powder for feminine hygiene purposes between 1980 and May 2014, when she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Broussard alleges in her product liability lawsuit that Johnson & Johnson knew since at least the 1980s about the risk of potentially harmful talc in its baby powder products entering the ovaries and possibly leading to the development of ovarian cancer. She indicates that, had she been properly informed about the risk of ovarian cancer from talcum powder, she would never have used the product for feminine hygiene purposes in the first place.
Lawsuits Over Cancer-Causing Talcum Powder
Broussard’s complaint joins a growing number of lawsuits filed against Johnson & Johnson over its controversial talcum powder products, on behalf of women who claim that inadequate warnings were provided for consumers who used the company’s baby powder and after-shower products for feminine hygiene purposes. While talcum powder is most often used as a baby product to soothe skin or prevent diaper rash, many women regularly use talc-based products as body powders after a shower, to absorb moisture and cut back on friction. As a result of this popularity, J&J expanded its product selection, introducing other products containing talc-based powders, including its Shower-to-Shower Powder.
Risk of Ovarian Cancer With Talc Powder Use
Although the first research linking the use of baby powder to ovarian cancer was published decades ago, a study published just last year is what garnered significant attention from consumers, medical professionals and drug regulators. Published in the medical journal Cancer Prevention Research in June 2013, the study found that women who used talc-based powders on their genitals were 20% to 30% more likely to develop ovarian cancer, compared to women who didn’t use the powders. The risk is so evident that the International Agency for Research on Cancer has even classified the use of talcum powder for feminine hygiene purposes as a “possible carcinogen.”
An Experienced Talcum Powder Cancer Attorney Can Help
In her lawsuit, Broussard accuses Johnson & Johnson of failure to warn, breach of warranty, negligence, concert of action and civil conspiracy, and seeks both compensatory and punitive damages for her injuries. If you believe you have been adversely affected by side effects of talcum powder, such as ovarian cancer, our consumer advocates at the Leading Justice can help. We are dedicated to protecting the rights of consumers harmed by dangerous products, and can help put you in touch with a qualified product liability lawyer who has experience handling talcum powder ovarian cancer claims.
