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In 2016, when people began coming forward to report their cancer was caused by talcum powder, Duncan|Stubbs was there. Since then, we’ve fought toe-to-toe with Johnson & Johnson (J&J), whose talc-based baby powder products have been linked to multiple types of cancer, on behalf of over 10,000 clients.
Despite the staggering number of victims who have told their story, many people are still unaware of this controversy. Even worse, some are still unaware they could have been affected.
With that in mind, we have provided a comprehensive overview of talcum powder, its uses, risks, links to cancer, and the ensuing waves of lawsuits as victims fight against corporate negligence. By empowering the public with knowledge of this crisis, we can help ensure it never happens again.
If you believe you or a loved one were harmed by talcum powder, contact Duncan|Stubbs today for a risk-free, no-cost case review. We are still accepting cases with the goal of securing maximum compensation for our clients. If we do not win your case, you pay $0 in legal fees.
Long-term use of talc-based cosmetic products like baby powder and shower powder for feminine hygiene purposes has shown a potential increase in the risk of ovarian cancer. Additionally, inhalation of talc powder may lead to lung damage, lung cancer, or mesothelioma.
Talc may be listed on product labels under different names, including talcum, cosmetic talc, or magnesium silicate.
Talc, utilized for its moisture-absorbing properties, can be industrially produced or extracted from the earth. If mined without meticulous care, talc could potentially be contaminated with asbestos, as the two materials naturally form near each other. Asbestos is a known human carcinogen, meaning it is confirmed to cause cancer.
Before removing its talc-based products from North American shelves in 2020, J&J had been selling its baby powder since the 1800s. It was used in millions of homes by millions of families for years and, in its current cornstarch-based form, remains a household staple to this day.
Talc-based baby powder became one of the most popular cosmetic items on the market despite the medical community raising concerns about its safety as early as the 1970s. Over the years, researchers concluded that the prolonged use of asbestos-contaminated talc powder is associated with an increased risk of ovarian, lung, and mesothelioma cancer.
The majority of talc powder lawsuit cases focus on ovarian cancer, with victims alleging J&J failed to disclose the potential presence of asbestos in baby powder and instead chose to claim the product was safe to use. Some studies appear to contradict J&J’s claims.
While organizations such as the FDA continue to research the relationship between talc-based bath products and cancer, stopping short of declaring it dangerous, J&J and other manufacturers continue to insist there is no cause for concern.
And yet, they face over 40,000 talc powder cancer lawsuits from innocent people whose lives have been changed forever by a product they were told was safe to use.
In 2018, a bombshell report revealed that, as far back as the 1970s, J&J concealed multiple reports from the FDA and the public that confirmed the presence of asbestos in their baby powder product. They continued to sell talc-based baby powder until it was discontinued in the U.S. in 2020. They removed it from shelves globally in 2023.
Alternatives to talc include talc-free baby powders, cornstarch, arrowroot powders, oat flour, baking soda, and zinc-based diaper rash creams.
While talc has been replaced in some products, it can be found in many others, including soaps, gums, toothpaste, and deodorants. While the FDA and other organizations continue to study the potential dangers of talc-based products, carefully read product labels, follow directions for safe use, and take any warnings you see seriously.
When handling talc in powder form, avoid inhaling it, as it can cause respiratory issues. Always point the container away from your face as you shake it out.
Duncan|Stubbs was there in 2016 when victims began coming forward with their stories, fighting on behalf of over 10,000 clients.
Some of the most highly specialized attorneys in the nation are prepared to take up the fight against Johnson & Johnson. We will waste no time in ensuring every case has a winning legal strategy behind it, driven largely by our clients’ unique stories that deserve to be told and heard by those who harmed them.
We proudly stand up for clients who deserve the highest settlement amounts possible. And we will not let up until we secure it for them.
Step 1: Contact Duncan|Stubbs
We’ll ask a few questions and determine if you may have a qualifying case.
Step 2: Gather information
With your permission, we’ll gather all the information and evidence needed to build and win your case.
Step 3: Get justice
We’ll fight to secure maximum compensation for you and your family. There are no fees unless you’re awarded a settlement.
Talc-based baby powder has become the center of legal scrutiny and controversy in recent years. Mounting evidence linking talc to serious health concerns, notably ovarian cancer and mesothelioma, has sparked a wave of lawsuits against manufacturers.
If you or a loved one was harmed by talc powder, you’ve come to the right place. Duncan|Stubbs has secured millions for victims affected by this negligence, and we are currently accepting new cases.
Our number one goal is ensuring our clients receive maximum recoveries. So if we do not win a case, we will not charge for our services.
If you or someone you love used talc-based products like Johnson & Johnson baby powder and were later diagnosed with ovarian cancer or mesothelioma, you may be owed compensation.
Studies have uncovered an increased risk for ovarian cancer in women who used talc-based powder around their genitals for long periods of time. Symptoms include:
Inhaling talc powder is associated with an increased risk of mesothelioma, a cancer that destroys the tissue covering most of your organs. Symptoms include:
Johnson & Johnson’s (J&J) talc-based baby powder was a household fixture for generations – all the way back to the 1800s. By the 1970s, when researchers began sounding the alarm that these products could be harmful, millions of people were using the product daily and continued to do so for decades.
Talc deposits occur naturally near asbestos deposits. Great care must be taken when mining talc; otherwise, it can become contaminated by asbestos, which is a known human carcinogen. J&J never warned consumers of this possibility. Instead, they continued selling talc-based baby powder in the U.S. until 2020.
Today, we’re seeing the fallout from J&J’s deceptive marketing practices. While privately acknowledging their talc powder carried health risks and that they had discovered contaminated talc samples, they told the public a different story. Their failure to warn consumers about the product’s potential dangers set the stage for the complex legal battleground we face today.
For the most part, those who file a talc lawsuit have been diagnosed with ovarian cancer, mesothelioma, lung cancer, or similar diseases. Often, they used a product like J&J’s talc-based baby powder for years because they were led to believe it was safe to use.
In general, you or your loved one may qualify for a lawsuit if:
If you’re facing the loss of a loved one due to talc powder exposure, please know you still have the legal right to pursue justice on their behalf.
In the face of mounting lawsuits and substantial verdicts against them, J&J has adopted a controversial legal strategy known as the “Texas Two Step.” Here’s how it works:
The Texas Two-Step strategy has profound implications for victims seeking justice and compensation for their suffering. By prolonging legal proceedings and shifting cases to federal courts, J&J attempts to deny victims the opportunity for timely resolution and fair compensation. For many, mounting medical bills, emotional distress, and loss of income only add to their anguish.
Thankfully, most courts understand how unfair and underhanded the Texas Two Step approach is. J&J’s bankruptcy tactics have been denied multiple times, costing them millions.
Every case is unique, so there is no standardized settlement amount for talc powder lawsuits. The value of a talcum powder settlement can vary widely depending on several factors, including the severity of the plaintiff’s injuries, the strength of the evidence linking talcum powder use to those injuries, the jurisdiction where the lawsuit is filed, and whether the case goes to trial or is settled out of court.
In some cases, individual settlements can range from tens of thousands to millions of dollars. For example, in 2018, a jury in Missouri awarded $4.69 billion in damages to 22 women who claimed that Johnson & Johnson’s talcum powder products caused their ovarian cancer. However, this verdict was later reduced on appeal. Similarly, in 2020, Johnson & Johnson agreed to pay more than $100 million to settle over 1,000 lawsuits alleging that its talcum powder products contained asbestos and caused cancer.
It’s important to note that each case is unique, and the value of a settlement depends on the specific circumstances involved, including:
Ultimately, the value of a talcum powder settlement is determined through negotiations between the parties involved or by a jury verdict if the case goes to trial.
Several legal decisions involving talcum powder have made headlines, including a landmark ruling in 2016 that awarded a $72 million settlement to the family of a woman whose ovarian cancer may have been linked to talc powder. Although J&J has attempted to evade accountability for the harm it’s done, they have been met with similar defeats over the years.
Click here to find the latest updates around talcum powder litigation, including settlement news and court rulings that could impact our path forward.
If you believe you or your loved one’s cancer is linked to talcum powder, Duncan|Stubbs is here to provide a free, no-obligation case review to determine your potential eligibility for a settlement. There are no legal fees unless you win. Contact us today to learn how we can champion your fight against corporate negligence.
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