Talcum Powder Lawsuit Plaintiffs Claim Unsealed Documents Show Johnson & Johnson Knew of Talc- Asbestos Danger in 1970s, Bernstein Liebhard LLP Reports

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Sep 27, 2017, 11:46 ET

NEW YORK, Sept. 27, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Plaintiffs pursuing talcum powder lawsuits in Missouri state court claim that newly unsealed documents show that Johnson & Johnson has known since the 1970s that its talc-based powders contained asbestos fibers, which could increase the risk of ovarian cancer in women who used the products for daily feminine hygiene. (Case No. 1522-CC10417, Circuit Court, City of St. Louis, Missouri)

"Our Firm is representing women who allegedly developed ovarian cancer due to Johnson & Johnson's talcum powder products. These documents are of great interest to our clients, and we will continue to monitor the Missouri litigation for any other developments that could impact their claims," says Sandy A. Liebhard, a partner at Bernstein Liebhard LLP, a nationwide law firm representing victims of defective medical devices, drugs and consumer products. The Firm is offering free legal reviews to women who were diagnosed with ovarian cancer that may be associated with Johnson & Johnson's Baby Powder and Shower-to-Shower products.

Talcum Powder and Asbestos
According to Bloomberg.com, the documents were unsealed earlier this month in Missouri's 22^nd Circuit Court for St. Louis, where more than 1,000 plaintiffs accuse Johnson & Johnson of failing to warn consumers of the ovarian cancer risk allegedly associated with its Baby Powder and Shower-to-Shower products.

The unsealed documents include a May 1974 memo authored by an official at the Johnson & Johnson's Windsor mine that recommended "the use of citric acid in the depression of chrysotile asbestos'' from talc extracted from the site to "provide protection against what are currently considered to be materials presenting a severe health hazard and are potentially present in all talc ores in use at this time."

In a 1973 report, a Johnson & Johnson official noted that sub-trace quantities of two types of asbestos had occasionally been identified in the company's talcum powder, and that "these might be classified as asbestos fiber.'' The report also indicated that another Johnson & Johnson official had suggested that the company switch from talc to cornstarch out of concern that asbestos may have tainted the talc used in its consumer products.

Talcum Powder Lawsuit Verdicts
Court records indicate that Missouri is scheduled to convene its sixth talcum powder ovarian cancer trial on October 16, 2017. Four Missouri juries have already awarded talcum powder plaintiffs compensatory and punitive damages ranging from $55 million to $110 million. Only one jury has found for Johnson & Johnson.

More than 5,000 talcum powder lawsuits have been filed against Johnson & Johnson in courts nationwide. California's first talcum powder trial concluded last month in Los Angeles Superior Court, with the jury awarding $417 million, including $340 million in punitive damages, to a woman with terminal ovarian cancer. (Case No. BC628228)

Women who were diagnosed with ovarian cancer following the long-term use of talc-based powder for feminine hygiene purposes may be eligible to file their own talcum powder lawsuit. To learn more, please visit Bernstein Liebhard LLP's website, or call 800-511-5092 to arrange for a free, no obligation case review.

About Bernstein Liebhard LLP
Bernstein Liebhard LLP is a New York-based law firm exclusively representing injured persons in complex individual and class action lawsuits nationwide since 1993. As a national law firm, Bernstein Liebhard LLP possesses all of the legal and financial resources required to successfully challenge billion dollar pharmaceutical and medical device companies. As a result, our attorneys and legal staff have been able to recover more than $3.5 billion on behalf of our clients. Bernstein Liebhard LLP is honored to once again be named to The National Law Journal's "Plaintiffs' Hot List," recognizing the top plaintiffs' firms in the country. This year's nomination marks the thirteenth year the firm has been named to this prestigious annual list.

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Contact Information:
Sandy A. Liebhard, Esq.
Bernstein Liebhard LLP
info (at)consumerinjurylawyers(dot)com
http://www.rxinjuryhelp.com/
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SOURCE Bernstein Liebhard LLP