Talcum powder products like baby powder were once used on a daily basis by millions of people in the U.S. It was recently discovered, however, that many talc products contained small amounts of asbestos which made them cancerous. Thousands of people who developed ovarian cancer or mesothelioma after extended use of talcum powder products are now suing the manufacturer, Johnson & Johnson, alleging that it knew about the dangers of talc and failed to warn them.
On this page we will look at the talcum powder cancer lawsuits and their potential settlement value. If you have a potential talcum powder claim, call our talc cancer lawyers today.
UPDATES:
February 4, 2025: The talcum powder MDL has almost come to a stop while the third bankruptcy effort is pending. Just one new case added in January after only four cases were filed in December. The total number of pending cases is now 58,206.
January 15, 2024: Following the lifting of the bankruptcy stay at the end of summer, the talcum powder MDL experienced a surge in new cases. However, the pace of new case filings has considerably slowed down since then. In the past month, only four new cases were added to the MDL, bringing the total to 53,733.
About Talcum Powder
Talcum powder, also known as talc powder, is a soft, fine, and white powder that is commonly used for various personal and industrial applications. It is composed of the mineral talc, which is a naturally occurring mineral primarily consisting of magnesium, silicon, and oxygen. Talc has been used for centuries for its unique properties and versatility.
Talcum powder is most commonly associated with baby powder. It has been widely used for generations to keep babies’ skin dry and prevent diaper rash. The fine texture of talc makes it effective in absorbing moisture. Adults also use talcum powder as a body powder to absorb sweat and reduce friction, particularly in areas prone to chafing.
Talc is a common ingredient in cosmetics, including face powders, blushes, and eyeshadows. Its soft and smooth texture helps these products apply more easily and evenly on the skin.
Talc Products Linked to Cancer
Fairly recently, it was discovered that talc is often contaminated with trace amounts of asbestos. Asbestos and talc are both naturally occurring minerals that are mined out of the earth. Certain sources of talc that are used in consumer products were contaminated with asbestos. Asbestos is one of the most notorious carcinogens in the world. The asbestos contamination of talc meant that individuals who used talcum powder products on a daily basis were unknowingly exposing themselves to asbestos for years.
Evidence has specifically linked long term use of talcum powder products to ovarian cancer and mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that is only known to be caused by exposure to asbestos.
Talcum powder products can cause ovarian cancer in women who use the talc products on their vagina over many years. When talcum powder products such as baby powder or shower-to-shower are applied to the vagina on a regular basis, specks of talc can travel into the ovaries from the fallopian tubes. These dangerous talc particles can remain lodged in a woman’s ovaries for years, eventually causing ovarian cancer. Studies have shown that regular use of talcum powder products can increase the risk of ovarian cancer by 20-30%.
Talcum Powder Class Action Lawsuit
The evidence showing that regular use of talcum powder products could cause mesothelioma and ovarian cancer sparked a growing wave of talcum powder lawsuits across the country. Most of the talc lawsuits were brought against Johnson & Johnson, the maker of iconic talc products such as Baby Powder.
The talc lawsuits alleged that J&J and other talc manufacturers knew or should have known about the potential dangers of talc for a long time, but negligently failed to warn consumers about this risk.
The talcum powder lawsuits against J&J in federal courts were consolidated into a class action MDL in the District of New Jersey. The talcum powder MDL now has almost 50,000 cases, making it the second largest consolidated mass tort in the U.S.
Talcum Powder Verdicts
Since the talcum powder lawsuits first began, a number of cases have gone to trial. Almost all of these trials have resulted in big victories for the plaintiffs with large damage awards. Below is a summary of some of the most notable recent talcum powder verdicts:
| Date | Verdict | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| October 2024 | $15 million | Evan Plotkin v. Johnson & Johnson: A Connecticut jury awarded $15 million to the plaintiff, finding that J&J’s talcum powder caused Plotkin’s mesothelioma. The award included $5 million in compensatory damages and $10 million in punitive damages. The jury also recommended additional punitive damages, to be determined by the judge. |
| June 2024 | $260 million (overturned) | Kyung Lee v. Johnson & Johnson: An Oregon jury awarded $260 million to the plaintiff, finding that J&J’s talcum powder caused Lee’s mesothelioma. The award included $60 million in compensatory damages and $200 million in punitive damages. However, the verdict was later overturned by a judge who cited “numerous egregious errors” by the plaintiff’s attorneys. |
| October 2023 | $18 million | A California jury awarded $18 million to a plaintiff who claimed talc powder caused her mesothelioma. |
| August 2023 | $10 million | A Missouri jury awarded $10 million to a woman who developed ovarian cancer after long-term use of talc powder. |
| May 2023 | $5 million | A New Jersey jury awarded $5 million to a plaintiff who claimed talc powder was linked to her ovarian cancer. |
| March 2023 | Defense Win | A jury in Illinois sided with the defense, ruling that the plaintiff failed to prove talc powder caused her cancer. |
| January 2023 | $2.2 billion | A Missouri jury awarded $2.2 billion to 22 women who claimed talc powder caused their ovarian cancer. |
Who Is Eligible to File a Talcum Powder Lawsuit?
If you have been diagnosed with ovarian cancer or mesothelioma as a result of regular use or exposure to talc-based products, it is advisable to seek the guidance of an attorney. Whether your talc exposure to asbestos occurred through industrial or consumer use, you may be eligible for compensation. Additionally, if you have lost a loved one to cancer following asbestos exposure, you may also qualify to file a talc claim.
The eligibility to file a talc lawsuit is contingent upon your state’s statute of limitations. For wrongful death talc lawsuits, the average statute of limitations is approximately two years from the date of the cancer patient’s demise. Given that it typically takes 20 to 60 years from the initial asbestos exposure for detectable cancer symptoms to develop, seeking legal advice promptly is imperative.
Contact Our Talc Lawyers Today to File Your Case
It is NOT too late to file your talcum powder lawsuit. If you used a talcum powder product for an extended period and were subsequently diagnosed with ovarian cancer, call our talc lawyers at 888-310-3032 or contact us online.