Talcum Powder Lawsuit: Guide & Latest Updates (Apr 2025)

Johnson & Johnson Bankruptcy Hearings Begin

Johnson & Johnson (J&J) is facing a critical bankruptcy hearing to finalize its $9 billion talc settlement. The hearing, which began on February 18, 2025, in Texas bankruptcy court, will determine whether J&J can use a controversial bankruptcy strategy known as the “Texas Two-Step” to resolve tens of thousands of talcum powder lawsuits.

The strategy involves creating a subsidiary, Red River Talc, to take on the liabilities and file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

Lawyers representing Johnson & Johnson insist their $9 billion offer is the only realistic solution to resolve thousands of baby powder cancer lawsuits. Meanwhile, those fighting against the deal claim the voting process before bankruptcy was compromised and are demanding another vote take place.

New Study Confirms Talcum Powder Cancer Link

A study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology in 2024 supports the claim of plaintiffs, finding a significant association between talc use and ovarian cancer. The study, conducted by researchers from the National Institutes of Health, enrolled over 50,000 women in the U.S. between 2003 and 2009.

J&J has consistently denied that its talc products contain asbestos or cause cancer, arguing that studies have not demonstrated a convincing link. However, this new research could undermine J&J’s defense as the legal battles continue.

Talcum Powder & Ovarian Cancer

Talcum is in almost everything. That fact is why the link between it and cancer is so concerning.

What is Talcum Powder?

Talcum, the main component of talcum powder, primarily comprises magnesium, silicon, and oxygen. Its most prominent use is as a personal care product applied to the skin, commonly used to absorb moisture, reduce friction, and prevent chafing. Talcum’s unique properties make it incredibly versatile, finding application across several industries, including cosmetics, plastics, pharmaceuticals, and more.

Talcum is a primary ingredient in:

• Baby powder. Known for its gentle and absorbent qualities, talcum is a staple in baby powders, used to prevent diaper rash and keep an infant’s skin dry and soft.
• Body and facial powders. Talcum provides the base for many products designed to absorb excess moisture and provide a smooth, matte finish for the skin.
• Cosmetics. Talcum helps achieve a matte and velvety appearance when used in cosmetics such as eyeshadow, highlighter, and contour palettes.
• Plastics and ceramics. Its ability to enhance a material’s texture, stability, and thermal and electrical resistance makes talc a critical component in manufacturing various plastic compounds, ceramics, and industrial coatings.
• Paints. Talcum is a filler in paint production, enhancing properties like opacity, sheen, and stability.
• Pharmaceutical. In the pharmaceutical industry, talcum lubricates processes in medication production. It can also serve as an inactive ingredient to improve the texture of certain drugs or as a glidant, enhancing the flow properties of powdered substances.

Research Regarding Talcum Powder Safety

However, talcum is also questionable. The regulation of talcum powder has been a subject of ongoing scrutiny.

For years, research established a link between talcum and potential asbestos contamination. In 2020, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) tested talc-containing cosmetic products for asbestos. It discovered that nine out of 52 samples showed the presence of asbestos, a naturally occurring fibrous silicate mineral known to cause cancer.

Illness related to talcum powder use include:

• Ovarian Cancer. A 2016 study published in the National Library of Medicine analyzed case-control data collected over 16 years and found that women who regularly used talc in the genital area had a 33% higher risk of developing ovarian cancer than those who didn’t.
• Respiratory diseases and lung cancer. Talcum powder, if inhaled over the long term, can cause respiratory difficulties and chronic lung disease, also known as pulmonary talcosis and lung cancer. It is essential to watch out for talcum powder poisoning symptoms for those inhaling it over long periods.
• Mesothelioma: Most notably, asbestos fibers in older versions of talcum powder could lead to mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer affecting the lining of the lung or abdomen. People with this condition often seek mesothelioma attorney assistance to recover the compensation they need for treatment.
• Cervical Cancer: Exposure to talcum powder may cause cervical cancer in the same way it causes ovarian cancer. Using it near the genital region allows cancerous elements to reach the reproductive system. However, this issue requires more research.

What is the Talcum Powder Lawsuit?

The cancer links to talcum powder lead to lawsuits by those suffering conditions from its use. Talcum powder ovarian cancer lawsuits and lawsuits over mesothelioma are part of a multi-district litigation in the U.S. District Court of New Jersey.

As of March 2025, Johnson & Johnson faces 58,000 lawsuits involving talcum powder and cancer. These numbers do not include claims covered by an $8 billion lawsuit bankruptcy settlement. That settlement also covers claims by distributors who suffered losses when Johnson & Johnson denied the cancer link with talcum powder.

This case continues to move forward, especially since the World Health Organization confirmed the cancer risk with talcum powder. Johnson & Johnson continues to lose ground on its defense strategy. Mere denial of the cancer link no longer stands in light of current research.

Some Settlement Amounts in Talcum Powder Lawsuits

The first lawsuit alleging a link between cancer and talcum powder was filed in 2013. How long does it take to settle a talcum powder case? These first cases took several years to resolve. But as the pace of talcum powder lawsuits picked up, J&J has used a combination of bankruptcy filings and rigorous attempts to settle as many claims as possible to try to save itself from financial ruin.

Determining an average settlement for talcum powder lawsuits is challenging because talcum powder settlement amounts and damage awards have been all over the map throughout the past decade. For years, J&J has tried unsuccessfully to settle the lawsuit, and it’s often increased the value of the proposed settlement to entice more plaintiffs to settle.

Finally, in May of 2024, J&J agreed to a $6.5 billion settlement. As negotiations have continued, that number has since gone up to $8 billion.

Past Settlements

What’s an average settlement for talcum powder lawsuits? You should not rely on past settlements to predict future outcomes. But the latest news on talcum powder lawsuits includes some settlements that have been publicly announced:

One of the most remarkable settlements is also one of the most recent. In June 2024, an Oregon jury awarded $260 million to Kyung Lee, a woman who developed mesothelioma after using talcum powder since she was a baby. J&J asked for a new trial, but in October 2024, a judge denied the motion.

In April 2024, a court ordered J&J (and related company Kenvue Inc) to pay $45 million to the family of Theresa Garcia. She died of mesothelioma after using J&J talc products.

In 2018, Ann Zoas settled with J&J for $1.5 million. Her claim was based on mesothelioma that was caused by talcum products.

Also, in 2018, J&J lost a jury trial in Missouri. The jury awarded $4.69 billion to 22 women who suffered ovarian cancer. In 2020, an appeal court reduced the award to $2.1 billion but also threw out 17 of the 22 plaintiffs. Thus, the final verdict was $2.1 billion, shared by five plaintiffs.

Soon after the 2020 appeal decision, J&J offered to settle 1,000 cases for $100 million. Even after this settlement, J&J still faced 2,000 additional cases.

In 2022, J&J shifted tactics. Realizing its liability for talcum powder injuries could ruin the company, J&J declared bankruptcy. At the time of this move, J&J had 38,000 talcum powder lawsuits pending against it. The move to bankruptcy would have created a fund for settling claims of $2 billion or about $52,600 per plaintiff. J&J’s bankruptcy maneuver was defeated.

One of the few trials during J&J’s bankruptcy gambit occurred in California in 2023. A jury awarded $18.8 million to a 24-year-old man, Emory Hernandez Valadez, who claimed that J&J’s products caused a deadly form of mesothelioma that damaged the membrane surrounding the heart. Sadly, media reports suggest that Mr. Valadez would not see a Johnson and Johnson settlement check in 2023 due to his failing health.

How to Strengthen Your Talcum Powder Claim

There’s no way to guarantee that you’ll be one of the people who walks away from the courtroom with a multimillion-dollar settlement. However, there are steps you can take to increase your chances of receiving fair compensation. These are a few ways to strengthen your lawsuit:

Gather Evidence That You Used Talcum Powder

Receipts, photos with talcum powder in the background and similar pieces of evidence are all useful. The longer the period of time where you can prove you used the product, the greater your likelihood of fair compensation.

Have a Record of Your Cancer Diagnosis

To qualify for compensation, you must have been diagnosed with a type of cancer that is related to talcum powder. If your doctor believes talcum powder is the main cause, that can help your case.

Tracking Expenses

To receive compensation for damages (like medical bills and lost wages), you must have a detailed breakdown of your cancer-related costs.

Is It Too Late to File a Johnson and Johnson Talcum Powder Lawsuit?

The courts did not report a talcum powder lawsuit deadline. Cases progressed with new claims, settlements, and continuing developments with the Johnson and Johnson bankruptcy. There remains controversy as Johnson and Johnson fights with its previous lawyers and faces accusations of abusing the bankruptcy system.

Johnson & Johnson is still negotiating the amount of its multibillion-dollar settlement fund. However, the fund is intended to compensate current and future plaintiffs in the mass tort against the company. Thus, you should still be able to recover compensation if you haven’t yet filed a claim.

In all likelihood, you can still file a talcum powder ovarian cancer lawsuit. The best course of action is to file a claim sooner rather than later as courts look to wrap up the MDL. ConsumerShield can help you start the process by connecting you with an experienced attorney who can evaluate your claim. Start by filling out our contact form.