The class-action lawsuit against top baby products company, Johnson’s Baby Powder, has been going around since 2020. There were multiple cases where people who used the baby powder developed ovarian cancer or mesothelioma.
Both these diseases are high-risk in women. So if you or a loved one has been suffering from either of these and also has been using Johnson’s baby powder and shampoo products, then it is time for you to raise your voice.
In the year 2020, thousands of Johnson’s baby powder cancer class-action lawsuits popped up. These lawsuits pointed towards the growth of either ovarian cancer or mesothelioma in the women affected by the product. This made the company pull off its baby powder product from the market entirely in the United States and Canada. After a series of court hearings, compensation was offered to the women and their families affected by the product.
How Exactly Does the Baby Powder Cause These Diseases?
Baby powder is different from usual cosmetic powders because it is to be used on the delicate skin of infants. It is used to prevent rashes in infants. Baby powder is also applied to the infant’s skin to give their skin a smoother feel and reduce friction. Not all baby powders may contain talc.
Talc is the major ingredient linked to ovarian cancer and mesothelioma as it contains asbestos, a proven carcinogen. Talc also comprises magnesium, oxygen, and silicon, but they are not as harmful as asbestos. However, talcum powder could also cause diseases like pneumonia if inhaled in large quantities. This is because the talc powder particles are much thinner than any other powders and can be easily inhaled.
Talc and Cancer
Asbestos is a severe carcinogen. This is why many cancer cases have been recorded in people having mining or factory-related occupations where they are continuously exposed to asbestos. Usually, asbestos-related cancer is severe in men due to occupational tendencies, but that does not mean women cannot be affected.
When people inhale the fine particles of asbestos, it enters the body, and as the body cannot break down asbestos, it sticks to the body fibers, leading to cancer.
Mesothelioma and Ovarian Cancer Risks in Women
Cancer is a precarious situation to handle as the cells just keep dividing, and the disease keeps spreading. There may be a cure, but the extent to which it works and the expenses involved in the treatments are very harsh. This is why the affected women demanded justice from the product manufacturing companies. In this case, Johnson and Johnson baby product company.
Women regularly using talcum powder on their genital area are at more risk of developing ovarian cancer. Ovarian cancer is the 5th most severe cancer that could affect a female reproductive system. The asbestos particles in the talc are said to enter the body through the genitalia and cause inflammation in the surrounding tissue leading to neoclassical growth of cancer cells. They can stay and harbor cancer growth for years.
Watch Out For Harmful Products in the Powders You Use
Since the link between talc and cancer has been proved, many cosmetic companies have stopped manufacturing talcum products and have switched to corn-starch-based powder products. This powder is derived from ground corn kernels and is proved to be nontoxic.
Older talc-based products and even modern talc-based products still show signs of asbestos, so it may be wise to avoid talc cosmetics fully until there comes an element that can replace talc totally in cosmetics.
The Initial Lawsuits
The first lawsuit against Johnson and Johnson was filed in 2013 where the plaintiff was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. The first verdict was decided in 2016, and compensation was awarded to the plaintiff and their family. After that, there were lawsuits all through 2018 where the jury awarded the 22 families on the whole with around $4.69 billion, but the lawsuits are still coming.
Who Is Eligible to Join the Lawsuit?
If you have been diagnosed with ovarian cancer or mesothelioma and have been using Johnson’s baby powder or shampoo products in the last five years, then you can apply for the lawsuit.
If you or your loved one has faced severe repercussions due to the consumption of Johnson’s baby powder, you can take the matter into your hands and fight for your rights legally. You can join the class-action lawsuit and seek compensation for the damages caused. To learn more on how to join Johnson’s baby powder cancer class-action lawsuit, contact our experienced attorneys today.
