Kay used a popular brand of talcum powder every day for 40 years. She trusted the brand to help with her feminine hygiene needs and even recommended it to friends. In her mid-50s and in reasonably good health, she got a routine checkup from her family doctor, expecting to find nothing worse than slightly high blood pressure.
Instead, Kay received a shocking diagnosis: She had ovarian cancer.
Kay’s story is one of many like it. Studies over the past few decades have suggested that talc, a naturally occurring mineral and the primary ingredient in talcum powder, is linked to an increased risk of certain cancers. In its natural form, some talc contains asbestos, a substance known to cause cancer. Until the mid-1970s, many talcum powders and talc products contained asbestos.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified talcum powder containing asbestos as “carcinogenic to humans.[1]” But even asbestos-free talc may carry risk, as the IARC considers its perineal (genital) use as “possibly carcinogenic to humans.”
Liability lawsuits against talcum powder manufacturers have yielded sizable settlements in recent years. Notably, in mid-2024, Johnson & Johnson advanced a $6.48 billion proposed settlement[2] to resolve thousands of lawsuits alleging its talc products caused cancer. The hygiene product giant has already paid out a lengthy list of talcum powder lawsuit settlements[2].
In this article, we’ll further explore the potential link between talc and cancer, including how the talc lawsuit movement began and what talc-related cases may qualify for pre-settlement funding.
Why Is Talc Linked to Cancer?
Talcum powder’s link to cancer stems largely from its potential to contain asbestos, which, as noted, forms naturally in some talc. When customers use asbestos-contaminated personal hygiene products, they either inhale the asbestos or infiltrate their bodies through the skin.
But, as the IARC notes and some studies suggest, genital use of even asbestos-free talcum powder is “possibly carcinogenic[1].”
Exposure to asbestos-contaminated talc products has been linked to an increased risk of ovarian cancer and mesothelioma, though the link between asbestos-free talc and ovarian cancer remains inconclusive[3].
Many people who used asbestos-contaminated talc products like after-shower body powders developed ovarian cancer due to application on sensitive areas of the body[3]. Inhalation can cause mesothelioma, a rare, aggressive cancer that affects the lining of the lungs and other organs[4]. This method of transmission, however, can also cause other asbestos-related respiratory issues.
In the U.S., the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently finalized a ban on ongoing uses of asbestos[4].
How The Talcum Powder Lawsuit Settlement Came to Be
As Kay did more research, she discovered that studies conducted more than 20 years prior had established a possible health risk linked to the powder, and the company that produced the talcum she used may have deliberately hidden that information from the public. Kay had a deadly disease, and it was highly possible that a company’s negligence had put her at risk of contracting it. She wanted compensation for her suffering, not just for herself, but for her husband and three children—some of whom used the same brand of talcum powder on her grandchildren.
Kay filed a civil suit against the talc powder manufacturer, as have countless others. In fact, Johnson & Johnson and other companies are staring down tens of thousands of lawsuits[5]. Although the history of plaintiffs pursuing legal action against talcum powder manufacturers dates back to the late 1990s[6], it wasn’t until the past half-decade or so that the number of lawsuits filed dramatically increased. And many have successfully settled.
But the path to settlement can be a long, winding road. As Kay embarked on her legal journey, she soon realized the deck was stacked against her.
With its expensive legal team and seemingly endless resources, the company ensured that Kay’s talc powder lawsuit and others like it moved at a snail’s pace. Meanwhile, her continuing cancer treatments and day-to-day life expenses mounted. That was when her lawyer suggested she call USClaims for help.
Pre-settlement funding can provide plaintiffs with a cash advance based on the potential compensation they are due to receive from their cases. If they don’t win their cases, they don’t need to pay back USClaims.
Cases That Qualify for Funding
If you have a lawyer and a pending talc powder lawsuit, you may qualify for pre-settlement funding. Cases that may qualify for funding include those that meet certain conditions, such as:
- A diagnosis of ovarian cancer or mesothelioma
- A history of long-term talcum powder use pre-menopause
- Documented occupational exposure
- Documented cases of asbestos-contaminated talc
- A lack of warning on the talcum powder product used
USClaims: There When You Need Us Most
If you’re having trouble meeting your expenses while waiting for a legal resolution to your talcum powder lawsuit settlement, USClaims can help provide the financial support you need. We offer pre-settlement funding, through which we purchase a portion of your anticipated court judgment or settlement so you can get some cash now, when you need it most. USClaims only gets paid if you win your case or reach a settlement.
Apply now or call us today at 1-877-USCLAIMS to learn more.
The availability of pre-settlement funding varies by state. Contact USClaims for more information.
Sources
- “Talcum Powder and Cancer | American Cancer Society.” Www.cancer.org, www.cancer.org/cancer/risk-prevention/chemicals/talcum-powder-and-cancer.html.
- “J&J advances $6.48 billion settlement of talc cancer lawsuits.” Reuters, www.reuters.com/legal/jj-advances-6475-billion-settlement-talc-cancer-lawsuits-2024-05-01.
- “Talcum Powder and Ovarian Cancer.” OCRA, www.ocrahope.org/get-the-facts/faq/talcum-powder-and-ovarian-cancer/.
- US EPA, OA. “Biden-Harris Administration Finalizes Ban on Ongoing Uses of Asbestos to Protect People from Cancer.” Www.epa.gov, 18 Mar. 2024, www.epa.gov/newsreleases/biden-harris-administration-finalizes-ban-ongoing-uses-asbestos-protect-people-cancer.
- Llamas, Michelle. “Talcum Powder Lawsuits | Ovarian Cancer & Talc Lawyers.” Drugwatch.com, www.drugwatch.com/talcum-powder/lawsuits/.
- Girion, Lisa. “J&J Knew for Decades That Asbestos Lurked in Its Baby Powder.” Reuters, 14 Dec. 2018, www.reuters.com/investigates/special-report/johnsonandjohnson-cancer/.
