Indianapolis Talcum Powder Lawsuit Attorneys
In recent years, several major manufacturers — most notably including Johnson & Johnson — have faced allegations of covering up known traces of asbestos discovered in talcum powder-containing products, such as baby powder. Asbestos has been linked to numerous negative health effects, including severe illness, asbestosis, mesothelioma, and ovarian cancer.
If you or someone you love was diagnosed with cancer or another illness after using J&J talc powder or any talcum powder-containing product from any manufacturer, you could be entitled to financial compensation. At Hovde Dassow + Deets, our Indianapolis talcum powder lawsuit attorneys have successfully represented clients in both individual claims and mass tort litigation. In every instance, we strive to maximize every client’s recovery so that they can focus on what matters most: healing.
Reach out to our team today for a free consultation. Call 888-229-1778 or contact us online to get started.
A Brief History Of Talcum Powder Litigation
In December of 2018, Reuters reported that industry giant Johnson & Johnson (J&J) knew for decades that its baby powder products contained traces of asbestos. The report not only found that J&J baby powders tested positive for asbestos several times between 1971 and 2003 but also that the company allegedly knew about it and failed to disclose this information to the public. According to the report, three separate tests by three different labs found asbestos in J&J talc between 1972 and 1975 — but J&J did not inform the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
In October of 2019, J&J issued a voluntary recall for a single lot of baby powder after the FDA confirmed trace levels of chrysotile asbestos in the talc used in these products. Seven months later, J&J announced that the company’s baby powders would not be sold in the U.S. or Canada moving forward. However, J&J continued to deny that these products caused or were linked to mesothelioma, ovarian cancer, and other asbestos-related illnesses.
As more internal reports, memos, and other documents have come to light, it has become clear that J&J knew about trace amounts of asbestos — in some cases, amounts considered to be “rather high” by lab analysis experts — in its baby powders since at least the 1970s. Despite this, no warning regarding the use of these products or the risk of asbestos exposure was ever provided by J&J. As of December 2021, the company faces more than 37,000 claims involving asbestos contamination in talcum powders and other talc products.
Note that, while J&J has faced the most scrutiny, it is not the only company to manufacture and sell contaminated talcum powders. Additional talc suppliers include Colgate-Palmolive, Gold Bond, Imerys Talc North America, and Vanderbilt Minerals, among others.
Who Is Eligible To File A Talcum Powder Lawsuit?
Anyone who can prove that they developed an illness related to asbestos exposure after using an asbestos-contaminated talc product may have grounds for a talcum powder lawsuit.
To be eligible to file a talcum powder lawsuit, you will likely need to prove the following:
- You or someone you love used a talcum powder product that was contaminated with asbestos
- You or your loved one developed an asbestos-related illness
- You suffered measurable damages, such as medical expenses, pain and suffering, etc.
- The manufacturer, distributor, or other related entity is liable for your damages
Talcum powder lawsuits can be brought on behalf of those who used consumer talcs, such as baby powder, as well as industrial talc-containing products, such as adhesives, clays, chalks, or joint compounds.
The best way to determine if you have grounds for a talcum powder lawsuit is to reach out to an experienced attorney who can evaluate your claim. At Hovde Dassow + Deets, we bring more than 100 years of collective experience to our legal practice, as well as a long history of success in complex product liability and mass tort litigation. To date, we have recovered more than $300 million in settlements and verdicts for our clients, and we are prepared to fight tirelessly for the maximum compensation you are owed.
Is There A Statute Of Limitations On Talcum Powder Lawsuits?
Several statutes of limitations, or filing deadlines, may apply in your talcum powder case. These claims generally fall under product liability law, which has a two-year statute of limitations in Indiana. In other words, you must file your lawsuit within two years of the date of injury or two years of the date on which the injury was discovered/reasonably could have been discovered.
Indiana law also requires that you file a product liability lawsuit within 10 years of the date on which you initially purchased the product. The only exception to this rule is when the injury occurred eight years or more after the product was purchased.
Call Hovde Dassow + Deets Today For The Personalized Representation You Need
Our firm is recognized as one of Indiana’s leading plaintiffs’ personal injury practices. Our highly awarded attorneys have extensive trial experience and considerable knowledge of both the law and the legal system. We are deeply committed to each and every one of our client’s recoveries; when you choose Hovde Dassow + Deets, you will receive highly personalized and attentive legal representation from start to finish.
We are ranked as a Tier 1 firm for personal injury litigation in the areas of plaintiffs’ personal injury law and product liability in Indianapolis, a ranking achieved after careful evaluation of nearly 9,000 law firms nationwide and more than 50,000 client surveys. We are proud to serve our community and stand up for the rights of injured victims and the families of those wrongfully killed throughout the state.
Give us a call at 888-229-1778 or contact us online today for a free consultation. There are no legal fees for you unless/until we recover compensation on your behalf.