The talcum powder lawsuit is against a number of companies that produce or produced talc-based products. This includes manufacturers such as Johnson & Johnson, as well as the mining companies and providers of the talc used. Some of the defendants named in current talcum powder cancer lawsuits include:
- Johnson & Johnson
- Colgate-Palmolive
- Imerys Talc America
- Vanderbilt Minerals
In many of the cases currently pending, both in multidistrict litigation (MDL) and individually, more than one of these companies is a defendant. Plaintiffs accuse these corporations of:
- Mining, making, and marketing defective and dangerous products
- Failing to warn consumers of their increased risk of cancer when using talc products for feminine hygiene purposes
- Hiding prior knowledge that these products may contain asbestos, a known carcinogen
Understanding the Role of These Defendants in Talcum Powder Cases
The talcum powder lawsuit is against several companies that allegedly played a role in covering up contaminated talc products that caused ovarian cancer, mesothelioma, and other types of cancer in millions of women.
Johnson & Johnson
Without a doubt, the personal care products giant Johnson & Johnson faces the most scrutiny in the talcum powder lawsuits. According to the United States Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation, on July 16, 2020, 18,283 cases were active in the talcum powder MDL-2738. These are cases against Johnson & Johnson.
In addition, a few cases against the manufacturer have already gone to a jury trial or reached a settlement. Johnson & Johnson has paid out billions of dollars to cancer survivors and the families who lost a loved one to cancer already.
Colgate-Palmolive
Colgate-Palmolive’s popular talcum powder, Cashmere Bouquet, was on the market for more than 100 years. They also manufactured and marketed other assorted talcum powder products until the 1980s and 1990s.
Imerys Talc America and Vanderbilt Materials
Imerys Talc America and Vanderbilt Materials are both talc mining operations. Imerys Talc America is the largest talc mine in the world still in operation. Vanderbilt Materials no longer mines talc, but still participates in the industry by offering additives and materials to manufacturers of talc-based products.
In 2017, a California jury ordered these companies to pay out $22 million in damages to a family who lost their husband and father to mesothelioma. The man was exposed to asbestos while working with talc products, according to the News Times.
Johnson & Johnson Possibly Knew About Asbestos in Their Products
Johnson & Johnson is at the forefront of most conversations about talcum powder lawsuits, because their products carried such a high percentage of the market share throughout the 70s, 80s, 90s, and beyond. In addition, there is a reason to believe they knew about the dangers posed by their products and continued to stand by them. As of August 2020, they still defend their products and argue that they are safe.
In December 2018, Reuters published an investigative report regarding the case against Johnson & Johnson. While the news agency did not publish the internal documents they claim to have in their possession, the report alleged that Johnson & Johnson knew the talcum powder products were contaminated with asbestos as early as the 1970s.
Still, Johnson & Johnson stood by their product line so fervently that they only began phasing talc from their powders in May 2020. Company leadership says they intend to continue defending their products in court, that they did nothing wrong, and that discontinuing their talc-based powders is only because of a shift in consumer demand. They will continue to sell Johnson’s Baby Powder, which has had a corn starch formula since 1980.
Building a Talcum Powder Lawsuit Case
MDL-2738 is being heard in the U.S. District Court – District of New Jersey. If you act quickly and meet the criteria, we will be able to file a lawsuit on your behalf, and you could join this mass tort already in progress.
Our team reviews talcum powder cases for free and handles them based on contingency. You will not pay us anything out of your pocket for our representation. We will take steps to prove your case and seek compensation, including:
- Medical care and treatment expenses
- Hospice care and other ongoing support
- Lost wages and benefits
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Pain and suffering
Talk to a Member of Our Talcum Powder Lawsuit Legal Team
You can speak with a member of the Friedman & Simon, L.L.P. talcum powder lawsuit team today at no cost to you. We offer complimentary reviews for those who received an ovarian cancer or mesothelioma diagnosis and used talcum powder for personal hygiene purposes.
Call us at (516) 932-0400 to get started right away.