Talcum Powder Lawsuits: Key Facts for Florida Families

A talcum powder lawsuit is brought by someone who developed ovarian cancer. That person alleges that talc-based products, such as baby powder, caused the disease. Many of these claims are referred to, or handled together with, another law firm.

This page explains what the lawsuits allege. It also explains what a referral means for you and what happens next in Florida.

What Talcum Powder Lawsuits Allege

Talcum powder lawsuits claim that long-term use of talc-based products caused ovarian cancer. The lawsuits name Johnson & Johnson. The claims say Johnson & Johnson sold the talc products at issue.

A central claim is that talc may have been contaminated with asbestos. The lawsuits make this allegation. A court has not proven it in these cases.

Health agencies describe the science as unsettled.

• The FDA talc information page says the evidence has not conclusively established a link.
• The American Cancer Society ovarian cancer fact sheet says the evidence is limited. It also says possible asbestos contamination is a major concern.

Courts, not this page, decide disputed questions in these lawsuits. A diagnosis alone does not establish a claim. Your product use, how long you used it, and your medical history all matter.

Why a Case May Be Handled With Another Firm

A talcum powder lawsuit may be referred to, or handled together with, another law firm. You will be told about that arrangement.

A case may be matched to a firm that already works on talc claims. Some cases are handled by more than one firm working together.

• CHG Personal Injury Lawyers is not lead counsel in any federal multidistrict litigation (MDL). We do not state that we alone will litigate these claims.
• You can ask who will handle your case.
• You can ask how any fee is shared between firms.
• You can ask what your role will be.
• You will receive written information about any referral arrangement.
• A referral does not mean you are being passed off. You can ask questions at any time.

What a Claim Review Looks At

A claim review looks at three things: your medical records, your product history, and your timeline.

• Medical records: diagnosis, treatment dates, and pathology reports (lab reports on tissue samples). We gather these only with your permission.
• Product history: which talc-based products you used, for how long, and how often. Your memory and any purchase records can help.
• Timeline: when symptoms began, when you were diagnosed, and when talc first came up as a possible cause.
• Receipts: whether a receipt or the original product is needed depends on the facts. The review explains what your case needs.

The review is confidential. It does not commit you to any course of action. Keep following your doctors’ care. This review is not medical advice.

How a Referred Case Moves Forward

A referred case moves through five steps. These run from the first conversation to ongoing updates.

1. Free consultation. You speak with us in a free, confidential initial consultation. You have no obligation to continue.
2. Records. With your authorization, we request your medical records and gather your product history.
3. Decision. We decide with you whether CHG handles the case, refers it, or works alongside another firm. Any arrangement is disclosed to you in writing.
4. Filing. The claim is filed in the proper court, under that court’s rules.
5. Updates. You receive updates on your case. Timelines vary, so ask about yours.

You decide on any settlement offer. We explain your options before you decide.

Florida Deadlines and Where Case Status Stands

Florida’s time limits to file can be short. Product claims also have their own timing rules. Contact us promptly so we can review your deadlines.

For fraud claims under Fla. Stat. § 95.031, the period runs from when the facts giving rise to the claim were discovered or should have been discovered with due diligence (reasonable effort to find out), but in any event must begin within 12 years after the fraud.

The same section sets a repose limit, which is an outer time limit. The law conclusively presumes that all products, except those listed in the statute’s exceptions, have an expected useful life of 10 years or less.

The statute of repose does not apply if you were exposed to or used the product within the repose period, but the injury caused by that exposure or use did not manifest itself until after the period expired (Fla. Stat. § 95.031).

A federal MDL groups similar lawsuits for pretrial steps. A bellwether trial is a trial of a few representative cases. The parties and the court use these trials to see how similar claims proceed.

Case status changes over time. We review current status with you at your consultation. No one can promise that you will be included in any settlement or receive any amount.

Judgment is entered against each party liable based on that party’s percentage of fault, and not on the basis of joint and several liability.

Under Fla. Stat. § 768.1257, a design claim against a manufacturer looks at the state of the art of scientific and technical knowledge and other circumstances that existed at the time of manufacture. It does not look at the time of injury.

Why Work With CHG Personal Injury Lawyers on a Referral

CHG Personal Injury Lawyers is a Florida-based personal injury firm. Our lawyers are admitted to The Florida Bar.

• Igor Hernandez is the responsible lawyer for this page.
• We represent clients throughout Florida, including Miami, Orlando, Tampa, and Jacksonville.
• The firm focuses on personal injury cases of every severity. These include car crashes, slip and falls, catastrophic injuries, truck accidents, and negligent security. Negligent security means violence on someone else’s property that the owner failed to guard against.
• We charge no attorney’s fees and no case costs unless there is a recovery.
• Every case is different. We review your facts before we discuss options.

Common Questions Before You Decide

Here are short answers to common questions about a talcum powder lawsuit referral in Florida.