talcum powder lawsuit Updates
Jury Awards $966 Million in Talc Baby Powder Cancer Lawsuit Against Johnson & Johnson
A Los Angeles jury has ordered Johnson & Johnson to pay $966 million to the family of Mae Moore, who died in 2021 from mesothelioma allegedly caused by the company’s talc-based baby powder. The lawsuit claimed that the talc products were contaminated with asbestos fibers, leading to her illness. The verdict includes $16 million in compensatory damages and $950 million in punitive damages, though the amount may be reduced on appeal. Johnson & Johnson maintains that its talc powder is safe and free of asbestos. The company ended U.S. sales of its talc-based baby powder in 2020, replacing it with a cornstarch alternative.
Johnson & Johnson Talc Litigation Grows with Focus on Ovarian Cancer Claims
Between September and October 2025, 294 new lawsuits were filed in the federal litigation against Johnson & Johnson, bringing the total number of active cases to 67,204. These lawsuits allege that asbestos-contaminated talc in the company's powders caused plaintiffs to develop ovarian cancer. The litigation continues to expand as more women who historically used these body hygiene products are diagnosed with the disease.
New Talcum Powder Trial Underway in Florida Amid History of Plaintiff Verdicts
A new trial has begun in Broward County, Florida, involving the family of a 78-year-old doctor who died from mesothelioma after decades of daily Johnson & Johnson talc use. The case centers on whether the talc contained asbestos, with plaintiffs alleging contamination and J&J suggesting possible tampering. This case follows a pattern of previous mesothelioma lawsuits against the company, which have repeatedly resulted in substantial plaintiff verdicts, often reaching millions or billions of dollars. The persistent litigation and unfavorable outcomes raise questions about the company's strategy of continuing to take these claims to trial.
California Bellwether Trials to Proceed in Talcum Powder Litigation
While the federal talcum powder MDL remains stalled, coordinated bellwether trials in California's Judicial Council Coordinated Proceedings (JCCP) are moving forward. The first trial, combining the claims of two women who developed ovarian cancer after decades of product use, is set to begin on November 3rd in Los Angeles Superior Court. Judge Theresa Traber has selected six cases to be tried in pairs. This state court action, separate from the federal MDL, is highly significant and could shape the overall settlement landscape. California previously hosted a major plaintiff verdict in similar litigation, underscoring its role as a critical bellwether jurisdiction.
About the Talcum Powder Lawsuit
The Talcum Powder Lawsuit began in 2009 when a woman claimed she developed ovarian cancer from using Johnson and Johnson's talcum powder. One lawsuit, in particular, was filed by 22 women in 2016, and two products were named: Shower to Shower and Johnson’s Baby Powder.
Thousands of talcum powder lawsuits have been filed to date, alleging that J&J was aware of harmful substances, such as asbestos fibers and other harmful carcinogens, in their products. According to the talcum powder lawsuits, the company continued making and marketing this dangerous product even though they knew it to be harmful.
It was further claimed that J&J hid these issues from government agencies, as well as the public. In June 2020 in the Missouri Court of Appeals Eastern District, a trial was held and a jury found Johnson and Johnson (J&J) and Johnson and Johnson Consumer Companies Inc. (JJCI) responsible for all claims and awarded 22 plaintiffs $500 million in actual damages against JJCI and $125 million in actual damages against J&J. The jury also called for $4.14 billion in punitive damages to punish J&J for knowing and hiding the dangers of their product. This amount was reduced to $900 million against JJCI and about $716 million against J&J.
Thousands of people have come forward claiming they have developed ovarian cancer from using talcum powder products. Product liability lawsuits attack companies at each stage of the product cycle, such as distributors, manufacturers, and suppliers. Many plaintiffs have even gone after big store chains such as Walmart, Target, and Walgreens to seek compensation for their suffering. The FDA took samples of J&J’s talcum-based baby powder and discovered asbestos. This prompted J&J to remove their product from the shelves. Further investigations showed that the same powders were previously proven to have asbestos and that the company had known about the issues since 1971.
J&J Has Switched from Talcum Powder to Cornstarch
In a major shift, Johnson & Johnson swapped talcum for cornstarch in their baby powder. While they claim talcum is safe, decades of talcum powder lawsuits alleging health risks, particularly ovarian cancer, and shifting consumer preferences, likely played a significant role. Cornstarch-based powder offers an alternative that, while not without its own potential concerns, addresses public concerns and keeps them competitive in the market.
How to Pre-Qualify for the Talcum Powder Lawsuit
You may be eligible to join the talcum powder lawsuit against Johnson and Johnson, if you have used talcum powder and developed the following cancer(s):
- Ovarian Cancer
- Primary Peritoneal Cancer
- Mesothelioma cancer
Please Note: You can also submit a lawsuit on behalf of a loved one who has suffered from cancer due to talcum powder usage.
Claimants must be able to provide their diagnosis to pre-qualify. They can use their medical diagnosis and other healthcare documents to prove their case. It’s important to note that many cancers and illnesses take years to be discovered, and they should speak with a medical professional if they have concerns after using talcum powder. A medical diagnosis is the only way to be sure.
How Much Compensation Should You Expect?
Determining a typical settlement amount in the Johnson & Johnson talcum powder lawsuit is complex due to the unique nature of each case. Factors such as the severity of the illness, the strength of the evidence, jury decisions, and the skill of the lawyers involved all influence the settlement amount.
Settlements can vary widely, with some being as low as $100,000 and others reaching into the millions. For example, in 2020, there were settlements of $100 million for 1,000 lawsuits and a significant $2.12 billion for 22 women. There's been a proposal for a massive $8.9 billion global settlement covering nearly 40,000 cases, highlighting the scale of these cases. However, average figures can be misleading. We encourage you to seek legal advice to determine your eligibility and to understand what damages you may be able to potentially receive. All cases are unique.
Add Comment