Johnson & Johnson is a familiar household name, one of the most trusted brands that families have used for generations. It may be shocking to learn that Johnson & Johnson has been ordered to pay $120 million in damages to a woman in Brooklyn after she blamed her cancer on exposure to an asbestos mixture from using the company’s product.
Yes, asbestos, a material that had previously been used on building materials but had since been banned because of its potential to cause cancer.
Cancer is the second leading cause of death globally. It is approximated that at least 1 out of every 6 deaths result from cancer. Doctors are not yet quite sure what causes cancer; hence, there is no definitive method to eliminate it.
This is not the scariest part. The scariest part is that cancer seems to be morphing from a lifestyle or hereditary disease for those who were not mindful of their health to a disease that seems to catch almost anyone, no matter how careful you are. One reason for this is because we may be unknowingly consuming products with ingredients that could cause cancer.
Today, we shall be looking at a common household item and its relation to cancer; talcum powder. At least 90% of the people have used talcum powder before in forms ranging from baby products to adult products such as facial and feminine hygiene powders. The mineral in the powder keeps skin dry and prevents rashes. But how susceptible is one to cancer if they have been continuously using talcum powder?
Is Talcum Powder That Risky?
The Cancer Research Study first showed the correlation between talcum powder and ovarian cancer as early as 1971. In fact, some research studies have suggested that using talcum powder on your groin could increase your chances of getting ovarian cancer by as much as 30%. A large number of women diagnosed with ovarian cancer also reported using talcum powder on a regular or frequent basis.
Talcum powder is made from a mineral known as talc, which is a rock-clay mineral formation found almost everywhere in the world. The ground mineral was discovered to reduce moisture, remove odor, and prevent diaper rash. From then on, it has become a game-changer in the hygiene products market. Talcum powder also has been used in eye shadow and other makeup products, soaps, paints, and even chewing gum (to keep the gum from sticking to the wrapper).
In recent years, however, several concerns and complaints about the safety of talcum powder have come to light due to the presence of asbestos in the powder originating from its proximity to the talc rock mineral. Even in its natural form, talc may have traces of asbestos in it. When the human body is exposed to the mineral asbestos, inflammation and genetic changes can result and lead to various types of cancer, such as ovarian cancer.
Ovarian cancer is a devastating diagnosis. The five-year survival rate for patients diagnosed with ovarian cancer is below 50 percent, according to the National Cancer Institute. Treating this form of cancer may require the removal of one or both ovaries, which can lead to infertility. Because ovarian cancer may present few symptoms at its early stages, this cancer can spread to other parts of the body, leaving you with a life-threatening battle ahead of you.
Treating cancer can require medical interventions that are so physically draining that they may leave your body too weak to fight off diseases. Besides being physically, and emotionally, draining, cancer treatments can also be financially draining. Surgery, chemotherapy, and other methods of treating ovarian cancer are quite expensive. Even if you have health insurance, the medical bills that result from a cancer battle can overwhelm your family.
The Johnson & Johnson Case
Multiple scientific studies conducted have shown the link between the regular use of talcum powder and ovarian cancer. Despite these research findings, Johnson & Johnson attempted to appeal a $4.69 billion award Missouri jurors had given to a group of 22 women who had claimed to develop cancer as a result of using the company’s product for years. The appeal was rejected, although the court did reduce the damages awarded to $2.12 billion and dismiss some claims, according to Reuters.
In the case of the Brooklyn woman who had claimed to use the powder daily for more than 50 years and was awarded $120 million in damages at trial, the court held that the company was aware of the studies and had been “knowingly deceitful about” and “willfully blind to” the health complications that could arise by continuous use of their product.
Claim your Compensation; Hold Them Accountable
Claims that have gone to trial in the past have succeeded. While this occurrence may not in any way influence future trials, it has provided a chance for women and their families to tell their stories and to seek compensation for their damages. Considering that millions of women use Johnson & Johnson products, this is no small matter.
If you believe Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder may be to blame for your cancer, contact a skilled talcum powder lawsuit attorney to find out how you can join this active case. We are determined to make sure that you and your family get a chance to have your medical burdens reduced and to hold the company accountable for the serious harm it has caused you and, potentially, millions of other women.