Americans have been using talc-based products for over a century. Baby powder, a product containing high amounts of talcum powder, had become a staple. Ideally, it was from Johnson and Johnson (J&J), the leading manufacturer of talc-based baby powder.
Other than that, talc was used for various industrial purposes like paint, medicines, and food processing. However, recent studies by the American Cancer Association have linked talcum powder to cancer and other respiratory disorders.
Due to this, a huge lawsuit was filed against J&J for misinformation and wrongful death. This blog will delve deeper into the lawsuit.
Is Talc Dangerous?
A naturally occurring mineral, talc, is the key ingredient in most talcum powder. It contains a mixture of magnesium, oxygen, and silicon. In the powdered form, it can reduce friction, helps with dry skin, prevents rashes, and absorbs moisture.
Due to these features, talcum is used for cosmetic and industrial purposes. For example, you can find talcum in personal, beauty, and bath products. Moreover, it is a prime ingredient in making paint, ceramics, medicines, rubber, and more.
If swallowed, talc can cause breathing issues and irritation. At the same time, it contains a carcinogenic mineral called asbestos which is dangerous for humans if ingested.
Symptoms of talc poisoning include cancer, irritation, coughing, chest pain, breathing issues, seizures, drowsiness, diarrhea, and more. Hence, it is a dangerous mineral.
The Talcum Powder Lawsuit
Long-term users of Johnson and Johnson’s (J&J) baby powder developed cancer. Their diagnosis showed asbestos poisoning as the preliminary cause. According to TorHoerman Law, people develop ovarian cancer, endometrial cancer, mesothelioma, pneumonia, talcosis, and lung cancer.
The worst part is that the manufacturers were aware of the toxicity in the baby powder. Yet, they did not change their formula or warn the consumers due to corporate greed.
According to Forbes Magazine, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) forced J&J to recall various lots of their baby powder. However, affected individuals were not happy with such a late response.
In 2020, there were thousands of lawsuits filed against the company. TorHoerman Law states that there were almost 40,000 lawsuits. Due to this, the company stopped manufacturing and selling talc-based products in America and Canada. In a desperate attempt, J&J relaunched their baby powder and replaced talc with cornstarch in 2023.
Based on a Johnson and Johnson talcum powder lawsuit update in 2023, the court passed a proposed agreement. Based on this verdict, the company has to pay a total of USD 8.9 billion to all the plaintiffs over the course of 25 years.
Types of Talcum Powder Lawsuit People Filed
Thousands of people who developed mesothelioma or ovarian cancer due to the use of J&J talcum powder filed liability lawsuits. They were angry with the manufacturers, suppliers, and distributors of the product.
Other than that, tens of thousands of affected parents wanted compensation for the suffering caused. As a result, other brands also faced backlash for using talc-based baby powders. For example, in March 2023, Whittaker, Clark & Daniels had to pay USD 29.14 million to a plaintiff suffering from asbestos contamination from their talc products.
Some plaintiffs were from industrial companies using talc in adhesives and chalk. Very few families lost loved ones due to hazardous asbestos exposure, and they filed wrongful death lawsuits.
How Can You File a Talcum Powder Lawsuit?
If you have been affected by J&J talc-based products and have proper medical proof, you can apply for a claim. Plaintiffs are eligible for a claim if they or their loved one developed cancer due to talcum powder usage. First, ensure to seek proper medical treatment and familiarize yourself with the civil lawsuit processes.
Once done, you can hire talcum powder lawyers to fight for you. They will gather evidence, help you determine the extent of damage, establish the liability, and then gain compensation.
In most talcum powder lawsuits, the court issues verdicts in favor of the plaintiff. That means, with proper proof, you have a good chance to win.
The Bottom Line
People filed Talc lawsuits because their loved ones or they were affected by the asbestos present in the J&J baby powder. It caused women and children to develop different types of cancer, talcosis, and pneumonia.
J&J talcum product users were furious because the company failed to inform them about the issues. People affected by mesothelioma filed most of the 38,000 lawsuits, while thousands of claims came from families. These people lost their livelihoods because of corporate greed.
Hence, they fought with all their might and filed talcum powder claims. Overall, the payout offered by J&j is expected to be almost USD 9 billion.