People have used talcum powder for decades as a health and beauty solution. Some companies even marketed this product for use on babies in particular. People have long used talcum powder to fight odor and absorb moisture.
Unfortunately, research has begun to connect the frequent use of talcum powder with the risk of developing mesothelioma and other deadly forms of cancer. People who regularly use powders made from talcum may unknowingly expose themselves to asbestos. Many mineral deposits where companies mine for talcum have asbestos nearby or contaminating the talcum veins. Companies that have long released potentially dangerous products to the public continue to fight responsibility for the illnesses their products may have caused.
How are some companies trying to sidestep financial and legal culpability for exposing consumers to carcinogens?
By denying the science
Attempts to confuse jurors and the courts about the science around contaminated talcum powder is a common strategy. Companies may try fighting in court by claiming there is no objective proof of asbestos contamination. They do this despite many companies having internal records affirming that contamination was a concern.
In some cases, organizations like Johnson & Johnson that produce talcum powder products appeal verdicts that are not in their favor by claiming there were issues with the science presented initially in court. They do this to both frustrate plaintiffs and hide the truth about the situation.
In some cases, litigation can drag on for long enough that plaintiffs eventually die because of the illness they developed. There have even been lawsuits brought against professionals whose scientific work established a connection between talcum powder products and consumer cancers.
By trying to limit fiscal responsibility
Another sneaky tactic to try to avoid financial responsibility involves filing for bankruptcy. J&J, a successful multinational company, has attempted to avoid financial responsibility for asbestos lawsuits by restructuring the company and transferring asbestos-related financial obligations to specific parts of the business.
The goal is to then limit responsibility by filing for bankruptcy in Texas and creating an asbestos trust instead of having direct liability for future claims brought by consumers. These tactics are frustrating for those harmed by products that they reasonably expected to be safe for consumer use.
People with deadly cancers and those who have lost loved ones may find themselves fighting an uphill battle against a large business in the pursuit of appropriate financial compensation. That being said, with the right strategy and tenacity, those sickened by dangerous talcum products may be able to prevail in the legal system.
Reviewing medical records and talcum use history of a talc user with mesothelioma with a skilled legal team can be a good starting point for those hoping to seek justice. Lawsuits related to talcum powder can take years to resolve but may ultimately lead to compensation for those sickened by products they thought they could trust.