Mennen Shave Talcum Powder Lawsuit: Get the Right Attorney

What is Mennen Shave Talc?

According to Wikipedia, Mennen Shave Talc is a powder product made of hydrated magnesium silicate that helps cut down on friction and absorbs moisture, making it useful for keeping skin dry and helping prevent rashes. The Mennen Company was founded in 1878 by Gerhard Heinrich Mennen, an immigrant to America from Germany [1].

Mennen’s first product was a talc-based shaving powder, an innovation at the time. Mennen discontinued its shave talc products in the 1970s.

Related Article: Talcum Powder Lawsuit Update

1976 New York Times Article Warned of Asbestos-Contaminated Talc Powder

According to the NY Times, in March 1976, The New York Times published an article on the dangers of asbestos-contaminated talc citing research done at Mount Sinai Hospital [2]. Researchers found that 10 of 19 baby and body powders were contaminated with asbestos fibers linked to the development of mesothelioma, lung tissue scarring, and gastrointestinal diseases.

The concentration of asbestos in some of the products was staggering:

As part of their investigative research, New York Times reporters contacted the manufacturers of each asbestos-contaminated powder, the article said. Every manufacturer that replied to the reporters denied the presence of asbestos in their products and claimed they were safe.

Why Aren’t Talc Products Regulated by the FDA?

According to the FDA notice from 2022, despite their prominence in Americans’ day-to-day lives, cosmetics are relatively unregulated [3]. They are not subject to the same tests as other FDA products and companies don’t face the same pressure to ensure their products are asbestos-free and safe.

For example, makeup does not require FDA approval unless it contains color additives. Instead, the FDA puts the onus on safe products on the manufacturers.

Under the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act), cosmetic products and ingredients, with the exception of color additives, do not have to undergo FDA review or approval before they go on the market, the FDA said. Cosmetics must be properly labeled, and they must be safe for use by consumers under labeled or customary conditions of use. The law does not require cosmetic companies to share safety information with FDA.

Unfortunately, history has taught us that manufacturers cannot regulate themselves. Since the mid-1970s, talc-product manufacturers have made a habit of denying the presence of asbestos in their products, even when the evidence proves otherwise.

Diagnosed with Mesothelioma? Talc May Be The Cause

Anyone diagnosed with mesothelioma who has no known history of asbestos exposure may have been exposed to talc.

According to a 2023 study by Jennifer Lucarelli from Mesothelioma Organization, the majority of people with mesothelioma can identify when and where they were exposed to asbestos [4], and most mesothelioma patients were exposed occupationally while working blue-collar jobs. Anyone who worked in insulation, construction, mining, industrial, and factory jobs faced the highest risk of exposure.

Some mesothelioma patients were exposed through a family member who worked with asbestos and unknowingly brought it home. This kind of exposure is known as secondary asbestos exposure.

Those who develop mesothelioma with no prior asbestos exposure may have developed cancer as a result of talc exposure.

According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data released in 2017 [5], approximately 45,221 people died from mesothelioma between 1999 and 2015.

FAQs

Have there been significant settlements in talcum powder lawsuits?
Yes, significant settlements have been awarded, including multi-million dollar verdicts against companies like Johnson & Johnson. Settlement amounts vary based on case specifics.

What damages can be recovered in a talcum powder lawsuit?
Potential damages include medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost wages, and punitive damages aimed at compensating for the illness and deterring future misconduct.

Is it possible to join a class-action lawsuit for talcum powder exposure?
Yes, affected individuals can join class-action lawsuits, which allow multiple plaintiffs to combine their claims against a defendant and potentially strengthen their case.

Related Articles:

• Average Settlement for a Talcum Powder Lawsuit
• Old Spice Talc Lawsuit
• King’s Men Talc Litigation

See all related product liability lawsuits our attorneys covered so far.

Get a Free Mennen Shave Talc Lawsuit Evaluation With Our Lawyers

The Product Liability Litigation Group at Schmidt & Clark, LLP law firm is an experienced team of trial lawyers that focus on the representation of plaintiffs in Mennen Shave Talc Litigation.

We are handling individual Mennen Shave Talc cases nationwide and currently investigating potential cancer cases caused by products that contain talc in all 50 states.

Again, if you or a loved one was diagnosed with cancer after using Mennen Shave Talc or other cosmetic talc products, you should contact our law firm immediately for a free class action lawsuit evaluation.

You may be entitled to compensation for injuries by filing a lawsuit and our national law firm can help.

References:

1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mennen
2. https://www.nytimes.com/1976/03/10/archives/asbestos-found-in-ten-powders.html
3. https://www.fda.gov/cosmetics/cosmetic-ingredients/talc
4. https://www.mesothelioma.com/asbestos-exposure/occupations/
5. https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/66/wr/mm6608a3.htm