Boston Injury Lawyer Blog
Johnson & Johnson will stop selling its popular talc-based baby powder globally starting next year, according to a corporate statement released in August. The multinational healthcare conglomerate had already discontinued talc-based baby powder in the U.S. and Canada in 2020, but will now transition to cornstarch-based powder worldwide. Although the company says it stands behind the safety of the talc product, the announcement comes after thousands of lawsuits have claimed that Johnson & Johnson baby powder causes cancer.
What Do Baby Powder Lawsuits Claim?
Baby powder lawsuits assert that Johnson & Johnson and other manufacturers knew their talc products were contaminated with asbestos, a naturally occurring mineral fiber known to cause cancer. Although the companies were aware that talc-based baby powder could cause ovarian cancer and mesothelioma, the victims claim, they did nothing to warn consumers of that risk. Many talcum powder cancer lawsuits have been brought by women who developed ovarian cancer after regularly using the product on their genital area for years.
Johnson & Johnson has long defended the safety of its iconic product. But a 2018 investigative report by Reuters revealed that the company knew for decades that its baby powder contained asbestos — with lab tests indicating contamination as early as the 1970s. In 2019, Johnson & Johnson recalled a batch of baby powder due to asbestos contamination. In 2020, amid mounting litigation, the company stopped selling talc baby powder in the U.S. and Canada. In 2023, it will discontinue the talc-based version altogether.
Which Products Are Involved in Talcum Powder Lawsuits?
Johnson & Johnson faces over 40,000 U.S. talcum powder lawsuits and has already been forced to pay about $3.5 billion in settlements, according to Bloomberg. But the largest maker of talcum powder products is not the only brand to face legal challenges. DrugWatch indicates that mesothelioma and ovarian cancer lawsuits have implicated the following talc products:
- Johnson’s Baby Powder
- Shower to Shower
- Cashmere Bouquet (Colgate-Palmolive)
- Gold Bond Body Powder
- Gold Bond Extra Strength Body Powder
- Gold Bond No Mess Powder Spray
Talcum powder lawsuits have named not only manufacturers, but also other companies that may share responsibility for the unsafe product — retailers like Target, Walmart, CVS, and Walgreens, and suppliers like Imerys Talc North America.
Can I File a Talcum Powder Lawsuit?
If you developed ovarian cancer or mesothelioma after regularly using talc products — or if you lost a loved one who did — you may be eligible to file a baby powder lawsuit. The best way to fight back against a corporation that harmed you with a dangerous product is to have an experienced product liability lawyer at your side.
With over 50 years of experience, Altman & Altman LLP has successfully helped clients obtain financial recovery from some of the biggest manufacturers and retailers in the world. Our skilled talcum powder attorneys can help you seek compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and even wrongful death. Call us today at 800.481.6199 or contact us online for your free consultation with a knowledgeable Massachusetts baby powder lawyer.
