Colorado women may not know that as early as 1971, scientists began alerting people that cervical and ovarian tumors removed from women contained talc. Further research studies are divided regarding whether using talcum powder in the genital area causes ovarian cancer. Even so, numerous juries in courts across the country have held Johnson & Johnson liable for the ovarian cancer suffered by women who say they used the company’s Baby Powder for years.
The most recent verdict against the pharmaceutical giant took the jury just eight hours to reach. It held the company liable for a woman’s ovarian cancer to the tune of around $550 million in compensatory damages. The jury also assessed punitive damages against the company of $4.14 billion. As part of this and other cases, the victims allege that it is not just talc in the products that causes cancer, but asbestos as well.
The company continues to assert that its products are safe and is appealing the verdicts in favor of the women juries say contracted ovarian cancer due to the company’s talcum powder. The World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research in Cancer announced in 2006 that using talc in the genital area could be carcinogenic to humans. Here in the United States, the government has yet to add it to the list of human carcinogens.
As scientists and Johnson & Johnson continue to debate the issue, more women suffer from ovarian cancer that may result from the use of the company’s talcum powder. Colorado women who believe they contracted ovarian cancer through prolonged use of talcum powder may want to explore their legal options. In some cases, consumers force companies to make changes and governments to recognize the harm certain products do through their shopping choices and the filing of lawsuits. Not only do victims deserve the chance to pursue restitution for the harm done to them, but they may also help make changes that could save the lives of others.