Brenda Simpson used Johnson & Johnson (J&J) baby powder products for feminine hygiene for years. Brenda eventually developed ovarian cancer, an aggressive cancer that she unfortunately succumbed to. Now, the administrator of her estate, Gylmore Simpson, is suing J&J for failing to warn consumers of the link between the talc in its baby powder products and ovarian cancer.

Gylmore alleges decades of baby powder use caused Brenda to develop ovarian cancer, and with good reason. The first link between the talc in baby powder and ovarian cancer dates back to 1971 when British researchers found talc particles deeply embedded in ovarian tumors. Since then, more than 20 epidemiological studies have confirmed the link.

J&J itself even hired an outside consultant to investigate the link in the 1990s. The consultant advised the company to stop defending the safety of talc and to remove the substance from its products. Unfortunately for consumers, the company ignored the advice and continues to manufacturer baby powder products filled with talc.

The First Baby Powder Lawsuit

The first baby powder lawsuit to go to trial was filed by Deane Berg. Her case laid the foundation for future baby powder lawsuits to go to trial in 2016. In Ms. Berg’s case, the jury found J&J negligent for failing to warn consumers of the increased risk of ovarian cancer.

In 2016, two more baby powder lawsuits went to trial and both juries favored the plaintiffs, awarding multimillion-dollar verdicts. The trials have put a spotlight on J&J’s refusal to make its baby powder safe and/or to warn consumers of the dangers.

Baby Powder Litigation

There are currently more than 1,000 lawsuits pending against J&J, but as many as 12,000 are currently being investigated. Ms. Simpson joins thousands of other women and their families fighting to hold the company responsible. The next baby powder lawsuit is scheduled to begin next month.