For over 50 years, pharmaceutical firm Johnson and Johnson has knowingly sold talcum powder containing asbestos, according to the legal firm KP Law.
Exposure to this carcinogen is known to increase the risk of developing four types of cancer – ovarian, mesothelioma, fallopian tube and peritoneal cancer.
Johnson and Johnson offer a range of personal hygiene products.[/caption]
In 2020, Johnson and Johnson changed the manufacturing process for its talcum powder in the US, eliminating asbestos traces and replacing talc with a corn-starch alternative.
However, this change didn’t come into effect in the UK until 2023.
Johnson & Johnson have since set aside $13 billion, roughly £9.6 billion, in the US for claims brought against the company.
In the UK, KP Law is spearheading the legal challenge against Johnson & Johnson.
“All of the claimants, predominantly women but also some men, who have sustained cancer after using Johnson & Johnson’s talcum powder products have experienced a life-changing illness,” said Tom Longstaff, Partner at KP Law.
“In some cases, they have died from their cancer, leaving their families devastated. All of these innocent individuals deserve justice,” he said.
Join KP Law’s legal challenge
Are you eligible for compensation?
KP Law is pursuing Johnson and Johnson through a group litigation. This is a legal proceeding where one firm, KP Law in this case, represents several individuals with similar claims as one case.
One option is to represent each case individually; however, with thousands of potential claims, group litigation offers the benefit of being more resource-efficient.
It’s currently calling on potential claimants to join its case. To be eligible you must have used Johnson and Johnson talcum powder regularly, for at least five years, and have either ovarian, mesothelioma, fallopian tube and peritoneal cancer.
The group litigation is free to join and runs on a no-win no-fee basis, meaning the firm will only take a percentage of successfully awarded compensation.
If a family member has been affected, you can join the group litigation on their behalf.
The challenge is expected to reach the UK High Court later this year.
What is asbestos and why was it found in talcum powder?
Asbestos is a naturally occurring substance which is known to be hazardous to our health. When broken down, exposure to its fibres can damage your lungs and cause cancer.
Before these effects were known and its ban in 1999, it was regularly used in the building industry.
Asbestos can be found in mining. Talc is a key mineral used in the production of talcum powder and it is mined in places where there is asbestos.
This means the talc could be contaminated.
Last year, the World Health Organisation concluded that talc could be a cause of cancer.
Today, Johnson and Johnson’s baby powder no longer includes talc.
