It’s a safe bet to say that almost nobody associates Johnson & Johnson with getting cancer. It’s been a trusted brand for health and wellness products for decades, and is also a “go to” product when you’ve got a question about which brand to try. Unfortunately, Johnson & Johnson recently lost millions of dollars in a court case when one of their products was determined to cause a horrible disease which turned out fatal. Learn how a recent court case severely cost this well-known company in both money and reputation when it was shown that talcum powder and ovarian cancer were connected.
The Case
The case in question wrapped up in February when a judge ruled against J&J and demanded that they pay out $72 million in damages to the estate of a woman who passed away of ovarian cancer after using their talcum-powder products for over 35 years.
Talcum Powder And Ovarian Cancer
There have been a number of studies recently that link talcum powder and ovarian cancer. In fact, the International Journal of Gynecological Cancer cited a whopping twenty-three studies which demonstrated that the long-term use of talc could increase the risk of ovarian cancer in women by anywhere from 30 to 60 percent. Other sources such as the Journal of the National Cancer Institute have confirmed these findings.
Ovarian Cancer
Ovarian cancer is one of the most horrible forms of gynecological cancer there is. It is often detected far too late to battle, and all-too-often is lethal. The severity and difficulty in battling this form of cancer makes taking preventative measures the best way to combat it. The problem is, many companies are aware of the link between talc and cancer, and have not played a role in such preventative measures. In the case against J&J, scientists actually discovered the active minerals from talc inside the tumors that ravaged the woman’s body.
Long-Term Knowledge
Recently, it has been revealed that companies who produce talc-based products may have known about the problematic effects of the mineral for over 30 years, or since the 1980’s. However, even today in 2016, talcum powder continues to be widely marketed and available, and it is used for everything from gynecological issues to makeup or treating diaper rash in babies.
The current accusations circulate around major companies putting profits before the health of their consumers, which is ever more common across the board these days with a variety of companies and products. In the end, people have a right to know about these risks so that they can make educated decisions about the products they use.
What To Do
If you have suffered ill effects that you suspect may be related to product liability issues, from talcum powder to defective products, we may be able to help. Take some time to read about our firm, and get in touch with us to talk about your problems. There is no obligation for a consultation, and there will never be a fee unless we win your case. Don’t let these problems persist—drop us a line today!
