Talcum Powder Lawsuit Alleges Ovarian Cancer Risk

Johnson & Johnson has been ordered to pay $72 million in damages in a talcum powder lawsuit that alleged a link between talcum powder and cancer. Plaintiffs in the lawsuit argued Johnson & Johnson knew about the risk of ovarian cancer linked to talc but failed to warn consumers about those risks. Additionally, one talc lawsuit alleges the baby powder caused Fallopian tube cancer, leading to wrongful death. Johnson & Johnson reportedly faces 1,000 talcum powder lawsuits in state and federal courts, some of which are scheduled for court later in 2016.

Talc is a mineral often used to absorb moisture in cosmetic products. Since the 1970s, studies have suggested that talc could be linked to ovarian cancer, according to the lawsuit. Lawyers argued that Johnson & Johnson knew of those studies but put profits ahead of human life by continuing to market their talc products for feminine hygiene use.

According to the American Cancer Society, whether or not asbestos-free talcum powder causes cancer is not clear. Although many case-control studies have reportedly found a small increased risk of cancer, those studies rely on a person's memory to record talc use. The International Agency for Research on Cancer classifies the perineal (genital) use of talc-based powder as "possibly carcinogenic to humans."

In March, 2017, a talcum powder lawsuit was filed alleging wrongful death from Fallopian tube cancer caused by use of the powder. The complaint, Amie Cavazos, Individually and as Surviving Daughter of Rosalinda Cavazos v. Johnson & Johnson, Case No. 1:17-cv-00487, US District Court for the District of Columbia, states that Cavazos used the talcum powder from about 1978 to 2011 and was diagnosed with Fallopian tube cancer in 2013. She later died in 2015. The talc lawsuit alleges Johnson & Johnson failed to provide adequate warning about the hazardous health effects of using the talc.

In their lawsuit (Hogans et al v. Johnson & Johnson, case number 1422-CC09012-01), the family of Jackie Fox alleged Fox's death from ovarian cancer in 2015 was at least partially caused by her use of Johnson & Johnson's talcum powder. In a deposition made before she died, Fox said she used talc powder every morning until her cancer diagnosis. The family argued Johnson & Johnson was aware of the potential link between talc and ovarian cancer but continued to market the product and did not properly warn consumers that they were at increased risk of ovarian cancer.

A jury agreed with Fox's family and awarded them $72 million in damages. Of those, $10 million were awarded in actual damages and $62 million were awarded in punitive damages. This was reportedly the first lawsuit concerning talc and ovarian cancer to go to trial.

Johnson & Johnson has said studies have shown talc is a safe cosmetic ingredient.

Bloomberg Business reports that there are more than 1,000 talcum powder lawsuits filed in state and federal courts in Missouri against Johnson & Johnson and another 200 filed in New Jersey. More trials are scheduled for later in 2016.

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Last updated on Mar-23-17