In the face of thousands of lawsuits accusing their product of causing malignant mesothelioma and ovarian cancer, Johnson & Johnson has announced that they will no longer sell their talc-based baby powder product in the United States or Canada. The product has long been one of the world’s most recognizable and trusted consumer products.
Mesothelioma and Ovarian Cancer Victims View Announcement as A Victory
Over the last few years, thousands of people diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma and ovarian cancer have been perplexed by their diagnose, having no history of occupational exposure to asbestos. Over time they have traced their disease to their use of Johnson & Johnson’s Baby Powder, which is accused of being contaminated with the carcinogenic material.
Though Johnson & Johnson’s has long denied the presence of asbestos in their product and defended against the malignant mesothelioma and ovarian cancer lawsuits, they have also indicated that the publicity spurred by the litigation has caused consumers to flee. They will allow the product that is currently on the shelves to be sold until it is sold out and continue selling their cornstarch powder product. They will also continue to sell the original talc product internationally.
Mesothelioma and Ovarian Cancer Lawsuits to Continue
Though the company will no longer be selling the product, they have said that they will continue to defend themselves against charges of liability for consumers’ ovarian cancer and malignant mesothelioma. Company executives have blamed bad research and faulty testing methods for findings of contamination, despite the fact that even the U.S. Food and Drug Administration identified asbestos in a bottle of their product sold online in 2018.
Those who have been diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma and ovarian cancer accuse the company of knowing that the product was contaminated with asbestos and going to great efforts to keep the information quiet for fear of backlash from consumers. Talc is frequently found in close proximity to asbestos, and it is thought that the two contaminate each other during the mining process. There are currently over 19,400 outstanding lawsuits pending against the company related to their talc products, and the company has already faced juries that have awarded victims as much as $4.7 billion in one case involving 22 women.
If you have been diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma or ovarian cancer and you believe that it was caused by your use of Johnson & Johnson’s Baby Powder, the Patient Advocates at Mesothelioma.net can help. Contact us today at 1-800-692-8608 for more information.
