The Florida Talcum powder lawyers at Distasio Law Firm are assisting residents in bringing Florida talcum powder lawsuits. If you or a loved one has consistently used baby powder or other talc-containing powder and suffered ovarian cancer, fallopian tube cancer, and/or mesothelioma, you might be able to hold the maker (Johnson & Johnson) accountable for injuries caused by frequent use.
Give us a call or fill out a website contact form to find out if we can help. It’s free to find out if you have a baby powder lawsuit, and you will not owe us anything unless we obtain a recovery on your behalf.
If you or someone you love suffered an injury after frequent talcum powder use, you may only have a limited time to hold Johnson & Johnson accountable for damages. Let our mass torts attorneys evaluate your claim before it’s too late.
What Is the Talcum Powder Lawsuit?
A Florida talcum powder lawsuit involves bringing a claim against Johnson & Johnson (J&J) for damages caused by talcum powder use. Typical damages include ovarian cancer, fallopian tube cancer, and/or mesothelioma.
Talcum powder has been a part of many women’s daily routine since J&J first introduced Baby Powder in 1893. The main ingredient in Baby Powder was talcum, or talc for short. In order to extend the use of talc, J&J created the Shower-to-Shower line of body powder products. Their commercials encouraged women to use talcum powder daily on their body and genitals.
The first study linking talcum powder to ovarian cancer came out in 1971. Since that time, there have been at least 20 other studies linking ovarian cancer to talc use. Other studies have also linked talcum powder to mesothelioma.
The talcum powder lawsuits in Florida allege J&J knew Baby Powder and Shower-to-Shower body powder causes ovarian cancer and mesothelioma. The lawsuits allege J&J not only failed to warn women of this link, but actively covered it up, manipulated scientific studies, and claimed their products were safe for daily use.
Talcum Powder Lawsuit Criteria
Every talcum powder lawyer in Florida will have their own criteria to bring a case on behalf of a client. But the most common criteria include:
- Daily use of talcum powder for at least 4 years
- The woman used Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder, Shower-to-Shower body powder, or some other form of talcum powder.
- The woman dusted her body and/or genital area with the powder daily
- The woman was diagnosed with ovarian cancer, fallopian tube cancer, or mesothelioma.
What Type of Ovarian Cancer Does Talcum Powder Cause?
Many studies have linked ovarian cancer to the daily sprinkling of talcum powder on a woman’s vagina. However, there are a few studies that are inconclusive and/or did not find a link. As a result, J&J continues to deny that their talcum powder causes any form of ovarian cancer. But most juries, listening to all of the evidence, have concluded talc was the cause of the woman’s cancer.
The current understanding is that talc powder used on the vagina travels inside the body and into the ovaries, where it becomes embedded into the ovarian tissue. Since the body has a difficult time removing the talc, the ovaries may become inflamed, and cancerous tumors are created.
Many studies have found talc within the ovaries. Other studies have found talc deep inside the ovarian tumors themselves. Another study found that women who use talc while ovulating had a 92% increased risk of getting ovarian cancer.
Another interesting finding is that talc is often contaminated with asbestos, a known cancer-causing compound. Therefore, even if the talc itself is not causing the cancer, it may be the asbestos contamination that is doing it.
Does Talcum Powder Cause Mesothelioma?
Talc is a mineral found in the ground. There is no evidence that talc itself causes mesothelioma. However, talc can be contaminated with another mineral called asbestos. It has been known for decades that asbestos causes mesothelioma.
Talc used in baby powder is supposed to be asbestos-free. However, in 2018, Reuters published a detailed article documenting that J&J has known since as early as the 1950’s that its talc has been contaminated with asbestos. In fact, according to baby powder lawsuits, Johnson & Johnson pressured the government to withhold these findings from the public.
When talcum powder is used on the body, the person using it will breathe in some of the dust cloud. The talc that is contaminated with asbestos will enter the lungs and lodge in the lung tissues. The asbestos lodged in the lungs in this way, over time, can cause a form of lung cancer called mesothelioma. Baby powder lawyers in Florida are pursuing claims against J&J on behalf of people who contracted mesothelioma after talc use.
How Much Are Settlements for Talcum Powder?
Johnson & Johnson has settled very few baby powder lawsuits. The ones that have settled have been for confidential amounts. Instead, J&J have been bringing these cases in front of juries across the country. So far, that decision has not been a good one for J&J. Although they have won a few cases, the overwhelming number of jury trials involving baby powder have ended in large verdicts for the plaintiffs. Below are a few:
September 2019 – $37.2 Million Verdict
In New Jersey, a jury rendered a verdict in favor of 3 people for a total of $37.2 million in compensatory damages based on allegations that they contracted mesothelioma after inhaling asbestos from contaminated Baby Powder and Shower-to-Shower products.
July 2018 – $4.69 Billion Verdict
In St. Louis, a jury rendered a verdict for $4.69 billion in compensatory and punitive damages in favor of 22 families. The allegations were that the asbestos in talcum powder caused ovarian cancer.
April 2018 – $117 Million Verdict
In New Jersey, a jury rendered a verdict in favor of a family for $117 million based on allegations that Baby Powder and Shower-to-Shower caused mesothelioma.
March 2019 – $29 Million Verdict
In California, a jury rendered a verdict in favor of a woman in the amount of $29 million after hearing allegations that her 30-year use of J&J baby powder products caused her mesothelioma.
October 2016 – $70 Million Verdict
A Missouri jury rendered a verdict in favor of a woman who contracted ovarian cancer after using talc powder for over 4 decades.
May 2016 – $55 Million Verdict
In Missouri, a jury rendered a verdict in favor of a woman who contracted ovarian cancer. Johnson & Johnson argued her cancer was caused by endometriosis. The jury concluded the baby powder increased her risk of developing ovarian cancer by over 200%.
February 2016 – $72 Million Verdict
A jury awarded a family $10 million in compensatory damages and $62 million in punitive damages after hearing allegations that talc powder caused her ovarian cancer.
How Long Does It Take to Settle a Talcum Powder Case?
The evidence to prove J&J’s conduct is for the most part already gathered. But that does not mean cases will settle immediately, as baby powder lawyers in Florida still have to prove J&J’s Baby Powder or Shower-to-Shower caused a particular client’s ovarian cancer or mesothelioma. In order to do this, medical records have to be gathered and sent to a medical expert for review. The expert then has to be willing to render an opinion, based on the medical records, that the particular client’s ovarian cancer or mesothelioma was the result of talc use. Once this process is complete, we are ready to try to resolve your case. But this does not mean your case will settle immediately.
Unfortunately, no one really knows how long it will take to resolve a baby powder lawsuit. It depends on whether J&J continues to fight these claims. If they do continue to fight, it will take much longer to get to a final result. On the other hand, if J&J decides to stop taking these cases to juries and instead decides to settle them, it will be a much quicker process.
Will J&J Settle Talcum Powder Cases?
As the above list of recent jury verdicts demonstrates, J&J has been losing in front of juries. It’s not clear how many more verdicts the company can take against it.
Given the fact that J&J has been losing the cases they have pushed to trial, and the fact that the verdicts have been so large, there is a good possibility that settlement talks will happen sometime in the future. In the meantime, you should not wait until settlement talks are announced. If you sign up now for a talcum powder lawsuit in Florida, we can start the process of proving your case now so that your case is ready when and if settlement happens.
What Is the Talcum Powder Lawsuit Statute of Limitations?
Your Florida talcum powder lawsuit must be filed within a specific amount of time or your claim is barred forever. Each state has its own statute of limitations.
The Florida Statute of limitations for a product case is 4 years. Each case is different, but the statute of limitations may begin to run from the date of first diagnosis or from the date you were aware that talc might have contributed to your cancer.
The Florida statute of limitations for wrongful death is 2 years from the date of death.
Determining the statute of limitations is not a determination you should make on your own. Call us today so that we can protect your claim from being barred.
Frequently Asked Talcum Powder Lawsuit Questions
Does it cost anything to have my talcum powder case evaluated?
No. It does not cost you anything to find out if you have a case. Give us a call or fill out a contact form and we will do the rest. If we take your case, you still will not owe us anything unless we get a recovery. Then, we take a percentage of the recovery.
What happens if you take my case?
If we take your case, you will sign a contingency fee contract and a HIPAA authorization. We will then represent you, obtain your medical records, and start the process of holding Johnson & Johnson accountable for what happened to you.
Will Distasio Law Firm be the only law firm that represents me?
Johnson & Johnson has billions and billions of dollars to spend defending itself. No single law firm has the resources to take them on alone. By working together, law firms can hold them accountable for their actions. Distasio Law Firm works with other law firms throughout the country. You will have the benefit of being represented by more than one law firm.
Should I File a Baby Powder Lawsuit in Florida?
Our Florida talcum powder lawyers will help decide where your lawsuit will be filed. This determination will be made after all the evidence about your case is gathered. The important thing is getting compensation for what happened, not where your lawsuit is filed.
Your case will not be part of a class action. Instead, your case will be handled on its own merits. The courts may consolidate your case in one court so that one judge makes legal decisions about talcum powder issues. This is called multi-district litigation, or MDL. Being part of an MDL will not change the fact that your case will be worked up on its unique merits.
Call Today to File Your Talcum Powder Lawsuit in Florida
Although Distasio Law Firm is located in Tampa, we handle talcum powder cases across all of Florida. It is our mission to hold corporate wrongdoers accountable for damages caused by their dangerous drugs. For more information or to file your Florida talcum powder lawsuit, give us a call now.
