Johnson & Johnson Talcum Powder Lawsuits
Every day, thousands and thousands of people across the country use talcum powder in order to dry excessive moisture from their skin as well as the skin of their young children. Talcum powder is, as its name suggests, composted primarily of talc (also known as talcum), a clay mineral that occurs naturally within certain spots in the earth and can be mined and turned into the useful powder without too much trouble. Within the United States, talcum mines exist in Texas, Vermont, New York, and Montana, and in each of these states numerous mines operate to pull talcum from the ground in order to transform it into the helpful powder.
After the talcum is mined, it is separated into two separate groups: the industrial use group and the food-grade or cosmetic group. This second group is the sort that goes on to become products like baby powder and other sorts of compounds that come into close contact with intimate parts of our bodies.
The difference between the two groups of talcum powder lies in one simple factor: whether or not the compound contains asbestos. Due to the way it forms within the earth, talcum is often in close proximity to asbestos, a toxic substance that is believed to cause mesothelioma. Miners of talcum are especially at risk of coming into contact with asbestos, but there are increasing suggestions that it is not only the miners that are being exposed.
As the numerous lawsuits that have recently emerged throughout the country suggest, there is a growing link between the use of consumer or food-grade talcum powder and cancer, especially ovarian cancer suffered by individuals who used talcum powder for sustained periods of time. As these lawsuits have exposed, the ability of companies like Johnson & Johnson to ensure that asbestos is completely filtered out of any talcum product entering the consumer market is doubtful, and courts have repeatedly decided in favor of the plaintiffs in these cases, sometimes awarding the victims millions of dollars in damages.
If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with mesothelioma or ovarian cancer that could be the result of an exposure to talcum powder, then it is important to reach out to a lawyer in that field as soon as possible to ensure the maximum possible compensation for the life-altering damages that have taken place.
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James O. Cunningham
Since 1977, personal injury lawyer James Cunningham has provided effective legal advocacy to people who are injured through the negligent actions of another person or entity throughout the Central Florida area. He fights to obtain recoveries for his clients’ physical and emotional pain and suffering and pursues his clients’ personal injury cases with a commitment to excellence and impeccable preparation.