A wrongful death lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island recently against Johnson & Johnson, Imerys Talc America, and Personal Care Products Council by a man on behalf of himself and his late wife. The man alleges that his late wife developed ovarian cancer linked to J&J’s Talcum Powder products’ use over 15 years and succumbed to it. Allegations include that the defendants had the knowledge of the increased risk of ovarian cancer associated with genital use of talc-based body powder, yet they continued to actively market the safety of the product to users and failed to inform customers and end-users of the products' health hazards, particularly when used by women in the perineal area.
The giant conglomerate J&J maintains that it does not intend to offer talcum powder settlements for women diagnosed with ovarian cancer. J&J is defending nearly 7,000 Talcum Powder lawsuits nationwide, filed by women who claim they developed ovarian cancer due to the long-term use of products promoted for feminine hygiene by the defendants. The motley of lawsuits is filed under MDL No. 2738- In Re: Johnson & Johnson Talcum Powder Products Marketing, Sales Practices and Products Liability Litigation formed in 2016, presided by Hon. Freda L. Wolfson, U.S.D.J./ Hon. Lois H. Goodman, U.S.M.J., in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey; hundreds of lawsuits are also filed in Missouri 22nd Circuit Court, St. Louis; cases are also filed in California and Delaware state courts.
