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History has shown a persistent pattern of women being targeted by products that carry underlying risks including everything from early cosmetics and pharmaceuticals, to today’s latest popular weight loss drugs. The growing awareness of these concerns has fueled public scrutiny, legal action, calls for stronger safety standards, greater transparency, and increased accountability from manufacturers.
Baby powder and talcum-related cancers
Certain major retail corporations in the beauty space have been subject to lawsuits for talcum-related cancer. In the suits, baby powder was linked to carcinogenic asbestos, with evidence that the presence of it was kept from regulators and the general public. In fact, one company had earmarked approximately $9 billion to cover the allegations and protect itself against liability. In 2020, these lawsuits caused the company to pull its talcum powder products from the market in the US and Canada.
The fight is far from over, with new lawsuits accusing this company of not only knowing about the serious side effects but also targeting Black women with its advertisements. Internal documents prove that the corporation made these marketing pushes aimed at minority women while fully knowing the risk of ovarian cancer from talcum. Recently, a California jury awarded $966 million to a woman diagnosed with mesothelioma (a cancer that develops in the organs, usually the lungs) after long-term use of baby powder.
These recent lawsuits and verdicts confirm that talcum litigation is still strong. Courts across the country are receptive, particularly to cases involving mesothelioma caused by asbestos contamination in talcum products. In response, some corporations have pursued bankruptcy-related strategies as a part of their efforts to address and manage liabilities. Current rulings on these cases keep the door wide open for those affected by talcum-related cancers to pursue justice in a courtroom.
Hidden tumor risks of birth control
Injectable birth control has long been advertised to younger and lower-income women as a convenient, low-maintenance and effective alternative to pills and other contraceptive methods. Unknown to most, there are hidden risks involved with long-term use and high dosages. According to the CDC, nearly 25% of sexually active women ages 15 to 49 have used a key injectable contraceptive.
There have been studies linking use to an increased risk of developing meningiomas, a type of brain and spinal cord tumor. In 2024, an analysis of over 1 million women showed that those who used the contraceptive for more than three years were three times more likely to develop meningiomas.
Since the early 1980s, researchers have known that meningiomas have progesterone receptors and that anti-progesterone agents inhibit tumor growth. This makes injectable birth control agents a known catalyst for development of these tumors. Though this research is available, it hasn’t stopped widespread use and lack of knowledge of the concealed dangers.
The two sides of the “miracle injection”
Due to social media hype with jaw-dropping before-and-after pictures and various celebrity endorsements, GLP-1s have been at the center of conversations around dramatic weight loss. While some have hailed the drugs as a “miracle injection,” there is a darker side to their long-term safety that not many know about.
The original FDA-approved use of GLP-1s was to manage blood sugar and help prevent complications of type 2 diabetes. It helped reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events and supported some degree of weight loss as a side effect. Once studies began showing a reduction in average body weight in clinical trials, the prescribing patterns changed. At that point, GLP-1s were heavily marketed as a weight loss drug that could achieve fast, sustainable results.
Between 2021 and 2023, prescriptions for semaglutide-based medications increased by more than 300%, with a significant portion issued to non-diabetic patients. With widespread use, it also led to an increase in troubling side effects and lawsuits. GLP-1s are linked to nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION), a rare, incurable eye condition that causes vision loss and blindness. Patients can wake up unable to see through one eye or experience dramatic vision loss due to lack of blood flow to the optic nerve.
Since December 2025, there has been a significant volume of federal cases filed over the safety concerns, with consolidations of lawsuits from patients who developed NAION. It specifically targets medications from major pharmaceutical companies that failed to warn consumers and physicians about the risk beforehand.
Finding expert guidance and advocacy
If you or a loved one are concerned about exposure to these products or are considering legal options, it is essential to consult with experienced advocates who understand the specifics of these cases. Napoli Shkolnik has established itself as one of the premier law firms in the country dedicated to representing clients who are victims of personal injuries and the long history of wrongs associated with dangerous products marketed to women.
In fact, founding partner Marie Napoli and her firm are recognized as leading authorities on these types of litigation and have a personal connection to the issue. Marie and her team are pushing for accountability for the health and safety of women. “Litigation is one of the most powerful tools we have to force transparency, compel companies to ethically test the safety of their products, and ensure that women’s health is not treated as an afterthought in product safety,” says Marie.
As a nationally renowned firm, you can trust the experience and commitment of Napoli Shkolnik: As Marie has stated, their “goal is to ensure the wellness industry stops putting profits over women’s health.” Learn more about how they are protecting women from toxic chemicals, the status of relevant litigation, and to schedule a free consultation if you’ve been personally affected at AccidentsInNYC.com.