A recently-released Reuters report indicates that Johnson & Johnson (J&J) knew about the hidden dangers in its talc products for decades. Despite this knowledge, the manufacturing giant failed to warn regulators and the general public of the risks associated with using its products, such as Shower to Shower and Baby Powder. A form of asbestos, which has been linked to deadly diseases such as ovarian cancer and mesothelioma, is present in talc particles. As a result, thousands of J&J customers (mostly women) may have developed cancer from using talcum powder.
According to the Reuters report, J&J explained away early findings that talc contained asbestos by calling those findings statistically insignificant. The company may have also performed product tests in a manner that avoided detection of the deadly mineral. A Boston personal injury lawyer can help you determine how to proceed if you’ve been harmed by using talc-based products.
After J&J was ordered to turn over thousands of pages of internal reports, company emails, and other documents, Reuters discovered that the company knew its talc-based products had tested positive for asbestos starting as early as 1971, and leading up until the early 2000s. In addition to failing to inform regulators and the general public, J&J appears to have influenced government-led scientific research on the adverse health effects of talc.
Mesothelioma Isn’t Just for Construction Workers
Although most mesothelioma cases involve construction and mine workers who spent years working in close proximity to asbestos, multiple victims of mesothelioma linked to talc-based products have been awarded huge sums in recent years. Mesothelioma is a particularly-aggressive form of lung cancer. A MA personal injury attorney can help you recover damages if you’ve been harmed due to the negligence of J&J or any other manufacturer.
Even more victims and their families have filed lawsuits for ovarian cancer linked to talcum powder use. According to research, when women use talcum powder for feminine hygiene purposes, the talc particles can travel into the vagina and through the fallopian tubes, embedding in the ovaries. Once this occurs, the embedded particles can cause irritation and inflammation, and may eventually lead to cancer. African-American women have been disproportionately impacted by the negligence of J&J and other manufacturers of talc-based products.
Thousands of Lawsuits Pending Against J&J
Earlier in 2018, plaintiffs won a $4.69 billion verdict after proving that their ovarian cancer was caused by J&J products Shower to Shower and Baby Powder. J&J is currently facing thousands of similar lawsuits. Asbestos is a particularly dangerous substance because of its extremely long latency period. Men who haven’t worked around the mineral for 40 years are still being newly diagnosed with mesothelioma today. This means that women in their 60s who haven’t used talc products since their 20s and 30s could soon be diagnosed with ovarian cancer, mesothelioma, or other complications related to talc use more than 30 years ago.
Altman & Altman, LLP—Top Personal Injury Law Firm in MA
If you have been injured by another’s negligence, the skilled legal team at Altman & Altman, LLP can help. We have been protecting the rights of accident and injury victims for more than 50 years, and our experienced, knowledgeable attorneys have an impressive track record of obtaining compensation for our clients. We will thoroughly analyze the details of your case and will ensure that you fully understand your rights and options before moving forward. Don’t go through this difficult time alone, we can help. When huge companies like J&J put profits before the health and safety of customers, they should be held accountable. Contact Altman & Altman, LLP today for a free and confidential consultation about your case.