talcum powder lawsuit Updates
Talcum Powder Litigation Moves Toward Mediation with September 4th Session Scheduled
Attorneys for both plaintiffs and defendants are preparing for a mediation session scheduled for September 4, 2025, in the talcum powder multidistrict litigation. The session will involve discussions to potentially resolve claims brought by hundreds of women who developed ovarian cancer following the use of talc-based powder products. This out-of-court process aims to explore settlement opportunities and avoid lengthy trials. Additional mediation rounds are anticipated as the litigation progresses. Women who developed ovarian cancer after talc use and have not yet filed a claim are encouraged to take legal action.
Court Upholds Scientific Study Linking Talc to Mesothelioma Despite J&J Challenge
Johnson & Johnson subsidiary LTL Management unsuccessfully sued to retract a research article by Dr. Moline that established a definitive link between talcum powder use, asbestos exposure, and mesothelioma. The court rejected LTL's claims that the study was false and prejudicial, and the publishing journal declined to remove it despite pressure. This outcome highlights common defensive tactics used when scientific evidence supports plaintiffs' claims. Women who developed ovarian cancer following talcum powder use remain eligible to file lawsuits against Johnson & Johnson.
Court Allows Addition of Kenvue, Janssen, and J&J Holdco as Defendants in Talc MDL Master Complaint
The MDL judge has ruled that plaintiffs may add Kenvue Inc., Janssen Pharmaceuticals Inc., and Johnson & Johnson Holdco Inc. as defendants to the master complaint. The decision affirms a special master’s finding that these entities plausibly continued manufacturing, marketing, and selling J&J’s baby powder following corporate restructurings. Judge Michael A. Shipp rejected J&J’s argument that the affiliates were too removed for liability, noting plaintiffs sufficiently alleged they were successors to the original talc operations. This ruling aligns with a similar New Jersey state court decision and complicates J&J’s potential use of additional bankruptcy filings to shield assets. The alignment between courts increases pressure on J&J ahead of the first MDL trial next year, providing plaintiffs greater leverage in settlement talks and a clearer path to holding related entities accountable for alleged talc-related harms.
Former MDL Judge Returns as Special Master in J&J Talc Litigation Amid Perceived Conflict Concerns
Judge Freda Wolfson, who presided over the Johnson & Johnson (J&J) talcum powder multidistrict litigation (MDL) for seven years before retiring in 2023, has returned to the litigation as a Special Master. Her role involves reviewing the scientific evidence she previously ruled admissible. Judge Wolfson is now affiliated with Lowenstein Sandler, a law firm representing J&J in other matters. Although she asserts she is "walled off" from J&J-related work at the firm and a formal conflict waiver is on record, her position raises perceived conflict concerns, given her firm's ties to the defendant. All involved parties have approved her appointment.
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