Australian women file writ against Johnson & Johnson over link between talcum powder causing mesothelioma and cancer

A class action on behalf of Australian women who developed mesothelioma, ovarian and other female reproductive system cancers following use of Johnson & Johnson’s talcum powder products, has been commenced as a writ in the Supreme Court of Victoria against Johnson & Johnson and its related subsidiaries to advance the Australian class action.

The firm has the commenced the process for service of the writ.

Since launching its investigation in 2023, Shine has received more than 1,300 registrations from women who believe their cancer was caused by using Johnson & Johnson’s talcum powder products.

Craig Allsopp, Head of Class Actions at Shine Lawyers, said “Australians and people across the world trusted Johnson & Johnson’s products for decades, applying talc to their and their babies’ bodies under the assumption that it was safe to do so. To find out that it wasn’t safe is a deep betrayal of consumers’ trust. Juries in the United States have clearly expressed their disgust with J&J’s actions with their verdicts and the punitive damages awarded against the company, and we are working tirelessly to hold the company to account for its actions in Australia.”

Class Actions Practice Leader, Sarah Thomson, said the Australian case will allege that Johnson & Johnson’s talcum powder products were defective, unsafe, unfit for purpose and not of merchantable quality as required by the Australian Consumer Law. It will also allege that Johnson & Johnson and its related subsidiaries were negligent for supplying talc due to its potential to cause cancer.

Amanda Bradley is 45 and contacted Shine Lawyers when she learnt of the class action. She says lifelong exposure to talc has “turned my life upside down,” after being diagnosed with ovarian cancer at just 34. She has already carried the burden of illness for more than a decade, and has a lifetime to go.

“After experiencing severe bloating and a swollen abdomen, I was ultimately diagnosed with a large, cancerous, ovarian cyst, leading to aggressive treatment, and a complete hysterectomy.”

“I went from being a healthy young woman to a cancer patient overnight. The treatment forced me into early menopause and robbed me of the chance to ever carry my own children,” Amanda says.

Now in remission, she is grateful to be alive but says the toll is ongoing: “I live with the mental and physical impacts every day. It feels like my young adulthood was cut short at a time that should have been my prime.

“I’m dealing with bone loss, menopause, osteopenia which will develop into osteoporosis, and debilitating fear about future health, when I should have been thinking about starting a family, and how does anyone ever recover from never being given the chance to carry their own children?!”

She hopes her voice can be used for those unaware of how Talc can impact women’s health. She also hopes, Johnson and Johnson will hear her.

“We have heard from numerous women like Amanda who believe their cancers were caused by applying Johnson & Johnson’s talc to their bodies, including their genital region. Some believe their cancer or mesothelioma was caused by inadvertently inhaling the talc when it was applied,” Ms Thomson said.

The class action will also include those that had Johnson & Johnson’s talc products applied to their bodies as babies.

“This class action seeks accountability and compensation for women and families who have suffered immensely.”

“Hundreds of thousands of Australians have used this product since the seventies, some of whom may now be suffering with cancer or mesothelioma as a result.”

US litigation against Johnson & Johnson over talc has seen major successes, with multiple juries awarding compensation to mesothelioma victims, and courts blocking J&J from using the “Texas Two Step” bankruptcy strategy to shield itself from more than 67,000 claims. In the UK, a growing group action of over 3,000 claimants is underway alleging J&J suppressed asbestos contamination risks, with early hearings already highlighting the severe human toll as dozens of claimants have died since filing.

Shine Lawyers is encouraging women who were exposed to Johnson & Johnson’s talcum powder products on a regular basis from any time between about 1971 to about 2023 and were later diagnosed with ovarian, fallopian tube, primary peritoneal, endometrial, uterine, vaginal or cervical cancer, or mesothelioma, to come forward.

Registrations are open. For more information or to join the class action, visit: shine.com.au/service/class-actions/jj-talcum-powder-class-action