As threats of new coronavirus variants linger, most of us are doing our best to move on and return to some degree of normalcy. However, everyday challenges continue for anyone living with mesothelioma.
All the team members at Weitz & Luxenberg — along with everyone dedicated to stopping this horrible, preventable cancer — pause to recognize Mesothelioma Awareness Day annually on September 26.
Talcum Powder Causes Cancer
We remain steadfast in our efforts to help people diagnosed with mesothelioma, wherever and however they were exposed to the deadly carcinogen asbestos. Currently, we are raising awareness about an alarming concern making headlines — something seemingly harmless.
It is something that its manufacturers have known about for years but failed to disclose to American consumers. Talcum powder.
Talcum powder has been widely popular for decades. These products prevent rashes by absorbing moisture. They also reduce friction. And have even been used in makeup products for decades. However, we now know talc is grievously dangerous.
The insidious dangers and potential ramifications of talcum powder’s widespread use are severe enough that W&L has designated a specialized team to handle this litigation. Our team is headed by attorneys Justin Weitz and Joe Mandia.
Justin Weitz explains that, “Our dedicated team concentrates our efforts on helping clients who have developed mesothelioma after being exposed to talcum powder contaminated by asbestos. We fight to get our clients the justice and compensation they deserve.”
Talc Is Found Near Asbestos
Both talc and asbestos occur naturally in the environment. They are often found close to each other in the earth.
Asbestos, as an accessory mineral, can be found in the ore from talc mines. All forms of asbestos can cause cancer. And all forms of asbestos in talc can cause mesothelioma. No amount of asbestos is safe.
Yet, for decades, manufacturers have been aggressively promoting, marketing, and distributing talcum powder products as healthy and safe.
Science Proves Asbestos Is in Talc
We can prove asbestos is in talc. Geological surveys have shown it. Historical testing data and reports have proven asbestos is in talc.
Corporate employees and their representatives who have worked for talcum powder manufacturers have admitted asbestos can be found in talcum powder products. And expert microscopic analysis of representative samples of talc and talc ore, in addition to end-product testing, have revealed asbestos.
Talc Mesothelioma Cases Are Complex
Mesothelioma cases involving talc products pose unique challenges as compared to cases involving traditional asbestos products. We need to prove two main assertions for our clients.
The first is the talc product contained asbestos. The second is the asbestos in that talc product was a substantial factor in causing your mesothelioma.
Both the legal and factual issues involved in talc mesothelioma litigation are complex. Litigating talc cases requires a tremendous amount of time, effort, and resources.
Talc Asbestos Litigation Challenges
As your attorneys, we need to investigate exposure to talc products containing asbestos that were manufactured decades ago. We must also examine possible continued exposure that occurred for decades afterwards.
For each client, we need to identify the specific talc distributed and supplied to the talc product manufacturers. This task involves pinpointing the geologic source mine for the talc. We also need to establish what company was mining the asbestos contaminated talc — then distributing and supplying it to manufacturers — during a particular period of time.
In other words, we need to identify all possible defendants. This is an involved and complex undertaking.
In addition, we need to evaluate what testing was done on the talc over time. This process requires extensive discovery, including the review of sales records, raw analytical and testing data and reports, photomicrographs, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) sheets, formula cards, sales records, and specification sheets.
We Take On Multinational Corporations
W&L leaves no stone unturned when it comes to going up against some of the largest manufacturers of talcum powder products out there. Johnson & Johnson of New Brunswick, New Jersey, is one of those companies. They manufacture both Shower to Shower and Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder.
Another weighty manufacturer of talcum powders containing asbestos is Chattem, Inc., of Chattanooga, Tennessee. The company manufactured Gold Bond Body Powder, Gold Bond Extra Strength Body Powder, and Gold Bond No Mess Powder Spray. Chattem is a subsidiary of Paris-based Sanofi.
W&L Is a Leading Force in Asbestos Litigation
W&L is nationally recognized for our leading role in the area of asbestos litigation. We have a history of achieving enormous success on behalf of our clients across the country for cases involving diseases caused by asbestos exposure
Our resources, dedication, and knowledge of mesothelioma — particularly as it relates to asbestos in talc — make our firm ideally suited for cases involving talc litigation. We also represent clients diagnosed with ovarian cancer who were exposed to contaminated talcum powder products.
Until we succeed in ending the plight of asbestos exposure victims in this country, Weitz & Luxenberg will continue to advocate for patients diagnosed with mesothelioma and other debilitating asbestos exposure related diseases.
Winning Lawsuits for Clients with Asbestos
In our close to 40 years of handling mesothelioma and asbestos cases, we have helped more than 55,000 families and secured more than $8.5 billion dollars on their behalf.
One example is a case where W&L achieved a $27.4 million verdict against Johnson & Johnson. It was on behalf of a client who developed mesothelioma after using asbestos contaminated talcum powder for decades, both on his children and for personal use.
