Johnson & Johnson is known around the globe for being “A Family Company.” Their brand archetype is the innocent – with optimistic messaging and images built around being clean, wholesome and free from any type of corruption or contamination.
For decades people have trusted Johnson & Johnson, buying into that branding and applying personal care products to their babies and to their own skin. Yet late last month the brand announced it was pulling one of its most-recognized products from store shelves because it could cause serious illness, even potentially death.
A History of Personal Injury Lawsuits
In 2019, the company reported revenue of $82.059 billion. For most people, that’s an unfathomable amount of money. Yet it’s not the first time they’ve been under scrutiny for causing health issues. Here are just a few of the reasons the FDA and other government agencies investigated Johnson & Johnson’s most popular products:
⦁ 1982 – The company recalled Tylenol because medication containing potassium cyanide caused death in several people taking it.
⦁ 2012 – Gynecare Prolift Kits for pelvic floor repair caused organ perforation, vaginal bleeding, severe pain and other issues.
⦁ 2013 – Motrin for infants was recalled because some contained tiny bits of plastic.
⦁ 2017 – The company issued a recall for its hemostatic heart valves because an improper seal allowed blood leakage, detachment and the possibility of an air embolism.
Thousands have brought lawsuits against the company, and in many cases the jury awarded settlements. They’ve already been hit with a $750 million dollar verdict for plaintiffs that developed mesothelioma after exposure to asbestos in baby powder and Shower to Shower products. Fragments of asbestos enter the system and land in the lungs or are absorbed by cells, causing a buildup with repeat exposure.
How Toxins and Carcinogens Get Into Baby Powder
It’s hard to comprehend how a product marketed for use on infants could contain chemicals that give you cancer or cause other health problems. Most of the time, impurities come from the mining process.
Talc is used in baby powder because it’s baby soft, but it doesn’t start out that way. The pure mineral is found deposited in underground veins, so most talc comes from drilling and blasting in open pit mines. Sometimes during the process, that talc can become contaminated with other materials. Then it’s mixed in cosmetics or sold as powder to absorb moisture and prevent chafing.
As early as 1981, the American Academy of Pediatrics started warning parents not to use talc on their babies. Experts there say it’s potentially dangerous and families should stick to safer alternatives. Unfortunately, their advice didn’t help the untold number of women who have been using Johnson & Johnson’s powder for feminine hygiene for decades.
Johnson and Johnson Knew There Was a Problem
Reuters reports that Johnson & Johnson knew decades ago there was a problem. As early as 1957 there were reports of tainted talc. Between 1972 and 1975, three different labs ran independent tests that found asbestos in J&J talc. The company didn’t tell the FDA or remove products from shelves. They just kept raking in the money.
It wasn’t until May of this year the company pulled baby powder from stores. They said it was because consumers weren’t buying as much talc based powder, not because their product was contaminated.
Talcum Powder Lawsuit After Ovarian Cancer Diagnosis
If you or someone you love used talcum powder and were diagnosed with ovarian cancer, there’s possibly a connection. Schedule a free consultation with one of our personal injury attorneys and get the answers you’re looking for.
