Miami Talcum Powder Ovarian Cancer Lawyer: Sean M. Cleary

Ovarian Cancer Cases in Florida: Talcum Powder Products Involved, Side Effects, and Compensation

Research has shown an elevated risk of ovarian cancer of 33% for women who routinely use baby/talcum powder on genitals. The American Cancer Society estimates that a woman’s risk of developing ovarian cancer in her lifetime is about 1 in 75. Studies on the link between baby/talcum powder use for feminine hygiene purposes and ovarian cancer have found an increased risk to approximately 1 in 53.

Among African-American women, usage of talc is linked with a 44% increased risk for invasive epithelial ovarian cancer. This is concerning because another study suggests black women use talcum powder at a higher rate (44%) than white women (30%) and Hispanic women (29%).

Over 40 years, thousands of women who’ve used regularly Johnson & Johnson brands Shower to Shower and Baby Powder, containing talcum powder, for feminine hygiene purposes have been diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Scientific evidence suggests that the talcum powder was the cause.

Ovarian cancer is a deadly disease but treatable if caught in its early stages. However, because certain symptoms (for example, bloating or weight loss) can be readily associated with other medical conditions, women sometimes miss them and are diagnosed in the advanced stages of the disease. Chemotherapy, as part of a treatment plan, can cause serious side effects. The following is a list of some of the most common side effects caused by the treatment of ovarian cancer:

• Permanent hearing loss
• Nerve damage
• Constipation
• Anemia
• Depression
• Diarrhea
• Hair loss
• Infection
• Infertility
• Mouth and throat problems
• Nausea and vomiting
• Pain
• Sexual side effects
• Skin irritation

Compensatory damages for ovarian cancer talc powder claims and lawsuits, here in the Florida courts, are intended to repay injured people for the losses and harm they have suffered as a result of negligence. Compensatory damages can include (but may not be limited to):

• Medical expenses. Both past and future treatment costs are included here.
• Rehabilitation costs. This can include the costs of occupational therapy, physical therapy, chiropractic care, etc.
• Lost wages. This can cover both past lost wages, due to missing work for medical care and future lost wages, due to lost earning capacity resulting from ovarian cancer.
• Pain and suffering. An experienced personal injury lawyer can help quantify in financial terms pain and suffering so the plaintiffs are compensated fairly.
• Loss of consortium. This means that people are compensated for the damage that their personal relationships have suffered after the injuries.

Punitive damages in Florida for ovarian cancer talc powder lawsuits are intended to specifically punish the maker or distributor of talcum powder that contributed to injuries. These can greatly increase financial recoveries in these types of lawsuits.

Ovarian Cancer Talcum Powder Liability in Florida: Who Are the Corporate Entities Involved?

Johnson & Johnson and its talc supplier, Imerys Talc America are the two main companies involved in the talcum powder lawsuits. Lawsuits also include distributors and sellers of the products. J & J has been accused of conspiracy and failure to warn consumers of potential risks in light of internal documents presented in court, which proved that the company was aware of medical health concerns linked to talc. Yet, their subsequent actions have not been to remove talc, recall products, or place a warning on labels but instead to increase marketing efforts.

The company continues to use talcum powder in its cosmetic products without offering proper warning labels. However, the company supplying Johnson & Johnson with talc has added warning labels on its products since 2006. The Food and Drug Administration, also, refused to remove talcum powder products from the market or to add warnings on labels. Agency officials explained that no conclusive evidence could establish causality between baby powder and ovarian cancer. While talcum powder is a huge risk factor, there are other risk factors for ovarian cancer.

Currently, Johnson & Johnson is facing over 5K lawsuits in state and federal courts. The company has already been ordered to pay hundreds of millions of dollars as compensatory and punitive damages in lawsuits.

Talcum Powder & Ovarian Cancer: What Evidence Is Needed?

We accept talc ovarian cancer cases that meet the following criteria:

• You must have routinely used either Baby Powder or Shower to Shower for feminine hygiene purposes for at least four years.
• You must have been diagnosed with ovarian cancer before the age of 65.
• You must have tested negative for the BRCA gene (linked to ovarian cancer susceptibility).
• If your diagnosis was within the last eight to ten years, the ovarian tissue or pathology slides should still be available.
• If the death of a loved one is involved, ovarian cancer must be listed as a cause of death on the death certificate.