Legal Representation for People Harmed by Talcum Powder
Talcum powder is a common ingredient in many household products including baby powder, body powder, and some cosmetics. Nowadays, its biggest danger comes from the possible connection between the use of talc and an increased risk of ovarian cancer.
While the link between talcum powder use and cancer can be confusing, this is largely because long-term research is difficult to conduct. Even still, there is evidence showing a connection between long-term use of talc by women and a heightened risk of ovarian cancer. Yet, no warning has been provided by manufacturers that make products with talc in them. As such, millions of women may have been put at risk without ever realizing it.
If you or a loved one has become ill and you believe that talcum powder may have been the cause, then call a NY medical product defect lawyer at Wingate, Russotti, Shapiro, Moses & Halperin, LLP, at (212) 986-7353 to discuss your case.
Talcum Powder and Talc
Talcum powder is a common ingredient in body powders and similar products that help absorb moisture and reduce friction, which can help prevent rashes and skin irritation. The main ingredient in this powder is talc, which is a mineral that contains magnesium, silicon, and oxygen. In its natural form, talc can contain asbestos, which is a known carcinogen that can cause cancer in the lungs when inhaled.
Products in the U.S. that contain talcum, however, have been required to be asbestos-free since the 1970s. The biggest risk of harm from asbestos in natural talc is to the miners who harvest it, since they can breathe in the talc fibers. There may also be some risk of talc with asbestos for people who have used talcum powders for many decades, though that would depend greatly on each individual case.
What Are Some Harmful Effects of Talc?
The biggest modern concern related to the use of talcum powder is for women who have used a body powder or similar product that contains talc on their groins and genitals. There is some evidence that shows the use of talcum powder by women on their genitals creates an increased risk of ovarian cancer. This is because talcum powder can cause inflammation of the ovaries, and ovarian cancer can be caused by inflammation. The issue is in determining whether talcum powder can reach the ovaries when used externally, and if the inflammation it might cause can then lead to ovarian cancer specifically.
Negligence and Liability for Illnesses
Winning a civil claim comes down to proving negligence and liability for an injury or illness. That means you need to demonstrate that a company that produced and provided talcum powder to customers acted negligently. Negligence might mean that the company was aware of risks to women using talcum powder and failed to warn them, or otherwise failed to act in a reasonable way to prevent harm to them. You then need to connect this negligence to actual harm, such as ovarian cancer, to show liability for that illness. If this seems rather complicated and difficult, that's because it is.
Do I Need an Attorney to Represent Me?
Yes, because trying to handle a lawsuit like this by yourself is likely to end in failure and require an unimaginable amount of time and energy from you. Don't try to do this alone. An experienced defective-product liability attorney can handle all of these things for you and knows how to hold major companies liable for the harm they inflict on others.
If you or someone you love has been harmed by using talcum powder or any other defective product, call the attorneys at Wingate, Russotti, Shapiro, Moses & Halperin, LLP at (212) 986-7353.