Johnson & Johnson Stops Selling Talc-Based Baby Powder in North America
Johnson & Johnson announced this week that they will discontinue the sale of the company’s...
READ MORETalcum Powder Cancer Victims Seeking Justice
It can seem incredible to hear about substantial monetary awards being given to the victims and families of women who suffer from or succumb to ovarian cancer. While these women and their families need and deserve these compensations, the broader issue is that these talcum powder lawsuits have the potential to bring about necessary change.
Pharmaceutical companies and talcum powder manufacturers must live up to their responsibility to advise consumers of the potential risks and side effects associated with using their product. A simple warning label detailing the risks women take when using these talc-based powders might have prevented occurrences of ovarian cancer and reduced or eliminated the need for litigation.
Evidence, such as internal company memos, has shown that Johnson & Johnson® was aware of the correlation between talcum powder and ovarian cancer was as early as 1994. Over 2,500 lawsuits have been filed against Johnson & Johnson®. These lawsuits allege that Johnson & Johnson® knew about these cancer risks but did nothing to warn consumers, leading juries to award approximately $195 million to plaintiffs whose use of talcum powder resulted in ovarian cancer.
While talcum powder is considered a cosmetic and therefore not subject to FDA regulation and approval, responsible labeling should have been exercised in favor of the public, as Johnson & Johnson® has a duty to warn the public about the hazards associated with the use of their products. Some possible symptoms of ovarian cancer include:
- lower back pain
- pelvic pressure
- increased abdominal girth or bloating
- changes in bowel movements
- frequent urination with an increase in urgency
If you experience any of the above symptoms for more than 3 or 4 days every week, it is recommended that you see a doctor as soon as possible. If you have been diagnosed with ovarian cancer and are or were a regular user of talcum powder, you may want to consider taking legal action. It is important that you seek legal counsel as soon as possible. Baron & Budd can help. Contact us online or call us at 866-747-1424 to learn more about your legal options.