Washington and Oregon women file lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson after baby powder linked to cancer

SEATTLE – Families in Washington and Oregon filed lawsuits against Johnson & Johnson Thursday saying the company knew its baby powder was linked to ovarian cancer but never warned them.

Four women were diagnosed with ovarian cancer after the regular use of Johnson & Johnson’s baby powder for decades.

“If we use it for our babies, why would any consumer question its safety? Women and athletes are encouraged to use these products to stay fresh,” said attorney Cheryl L. Snow of the Law Offices of James S. Rogers based in Seattle. “Johnson & Johnson knew, but concealed theses risks to consumers despite the risks and links to ovarian cancer.”

The lawsuits were filed in Los Angeles Superior Court against Johnson & Johnson on behalf of four women from Washington and Oregon, including a woman from Oregon who passed away from ovarian cancer in 2015.

Plaintiffs in the lawsuits include:





          Attorney James S. Rogers notes many cancer-stricken victims are just realizing the link to their use of baby powder and cancer diagnosis.

          “Talc is a carcinogenic mineral,” Rogers said. “Numerous studies have linked it to ovarian cancer. Unfortunately, Johnson & Johnson consumers were never warned about the dangers of these products when used regularly for decades.”

          Johnson & Johnson issued this statement:

          “We recognize that women and families affected by ovarian cancer are searching for answers, and we deeply sympathize with everyone affected by this devastating disease. We are defending the safety of Johnson’s Baby Powder because science, research, clinical evidence and decades of studies by medical experts around the world continue to support the safety of cosmetic talc.”