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Some medical studies have revealed that women who use talcum powder for perineal hygiene are at a greater risk for developing ovarian cancer. Some of the major manufacturers of these powders have been accused of not warning their consumers of the risks of using talcum powder. Ovarian cancer is a very serious disease and around 10,000 women are expected to develop it due to using talcum powder. Therefore, Talcum Powder lawsuits are being filed.
In 2013, the very first lawsuit regarding the link between talcum powder and ovarian cancer was brought against Johnson and Johnson. The cosmetic giant lost. Their lawyer admitted that they did know about the connection between cancer and talcum powder, but didn’t feel like it was significant enough to warrant placing a warning on the products.
Warning of Talc and Ovarian Cancer Link
Though there have been many medical experts and cancer organizations that have warned consumers of this connection, the FDA has never issued a warning to this effect. As mentioned, Johnson and Johnson lost the lawsuit when the plaintiff’s ovarian cancer was proven to be caused from her using talcum powder products. However, even though the court ruled in her favor, there has still been no warning statement issued by the FDA.
There have been multiple petitions filed with the FDA to place regulations on talc, but each one of them has been denied. In 1994 and again in 2008, the FDA was petitioned by the Cancer Prevention Coalition to place warnings on talc. However, these requests have been ignored.
By failing to place warnings on these products, around 10,000 women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer each year. The FDA has failed to protect women from talc for at least six decades. Many organizations are now suggesting that women who feel the need to use powder use cornstarch-based powders instead of talc-based powders.
Talcum Powder Lawsuit Frequently Asked Questions
There are lots of questions that come up when it comes to the talcum powder lawsuit. Following are some of the most common ones. If you still have questions after reading through these, contact an attorney to discuss your specific situation.
Most of the time, the physician who has treated or is providing you with treatment for your ovarian cancer is targeting the disease instead of seeking what caused it. However, the same tissues and reports that were used to diagnose your cancer and determine treatment can now be looked at to find out if your ovarian tissues contain fibers of talc.
By taking some time to review your medical records and having an expert on talcum powder ovarian cancer look over your records, it can be determined whether or not your ovarian cancer was due to talc.
For years after entering the reproductive system, the talc fibers can still be seen in the tissues of the ovaries, pelvis, and fallopian tubes. The talc fibers will take many years to dissolve and the intact fibers can actually result in inflammation in the ovaries, which is thought to be a contributing factor to the cancer.
If the fibers are present in your ovarian tissues, the professionals will find them. Those who have used talc-based powders on a regular basis are the most likely to develop ovarian cancer from talc.
How long have experts been aware of this link between ovarian cancer and talcum powder?
The first case of ovarian cancer due to talcum powder was found in the 1970s. In 2003, one study combined the findings of 16 other studies and revealed that using talc-based powders on a weekly basis did, in fact, increase a woman’s risk of developing ovarian cancer by 33 percent.
In 2008, another study showed that those who use talc-based powders on a daily basis have a much greater risk of developing ovarian cancer. Basically, the medical world has been aware of this link for several decades, however, there still have been zero regulations placed on these talc-based products.
Who can file a talcum powder ovarian lawsuit/claim?
Women who have been diagnosed with ovarian cancer and have used talc-based powders for personal hygiene- or families of those women- have a right to file a claim in these lawsuits.
Will a case review cost anything?
In most cases, attorneys will be willing to speak with you about your personal circumstances and review your case without charging you and without obligating you to follow through with a Talcum Powder lawsuit.
There have been lots of studies in the last four decades that indicate a link between the use of talc-based powders and ovarian cancer. Women who have used these types of powders or sprays on a weekly basis have a 33 percent increase in their risk of developing ovarian cancer.
Women who have used these products on a daily basis actually have a 41 percent increase in their risk of developing ovarian cancer.
Women who have ovarian cancer are unlikely to experience many symptoms early on, when it is the easiest to treat. Usually, by the time the symptoms become obvious, the cancer has spread beyond just the ovaries and is affecting other organs and tissues.
Once ovarian cancer has spread, it is much harder to treat, which means that ovarian cancer is a deadly disease. It is expected to take the lives of 14,000 in a year.
How much will it cost me to file a lawsuit?
Most of the time, attorneys in these types of cases represent their clients on a contingency basis, meaning you don’t pay them unless you win. Typically, attorneys will even offer no cost, no obligation consultations in these cases.
Don’t most of these lawsuits bring very little money to the plaintiffs?
In most cases, these lawsuits are handled as a Multi-District Litigation, or MDL, which means that each of the plaintiffs will receive a settlement based on their personal, individual damages and injuries.
We don’t typically sue, is a lawsuit really necessary?
If you or a member of your family has suffered serious injury or health problems due to using talc-based products, long-term or possibly life-long medical care could be necessary. The cost of these services can be extremely expensive, and medical costs are constantly on the rise. So, the money from a lawsuit could definitely help out.
If a member of your family has died, of course no amount of money can change that, but filing a lawsuit, you can make the manufacturer of these products take notice and hopefully take action on making their products safer.
The sad truth is that many times, these corporations are afraid of lawsuits and having to pay out large settlements, which drives them to create better, safer products.
What is the time limit on filing a talc-based powder ovarian cancer lawsuit?
Many times, there are time limits on these types of lawsuits. However, most of the time, if you have been diagnosed with ovarian cancer and you contact an attorney right away, you will fall within the time limits. In order to find out specific time limits related to your claim, you will need to contact an attorney for a case evaluation.
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