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Table Of Contents
- Update: J&J Targets Talc Expert Witness After Bankruptcy Strategy Fails
- Talcum Powder Lawsuit Overview
- Latest Talcum Powder Lawsuit Updates
- FDA Reports and Statistics
- Talcum Powder Injuries & Side Effects
- Do You Qualify for a Talcum Powder Lawsuit?
- Johnson & Johnson’s Strategy Shifts
- Statute of Limitations for Talcum Powder Lawsuits
- FAQs
- 1. How much compensation can I receive from a talcum powder lawsuit?
- 2. What is the link between talcum powder and cancer?
- 3. How do I prove my cancer was caused by talcum powder?
- 4. Can I still file a lawsuit if the talcum powder was used years ago?
- 5. What does it cost to hire a lawyer for a talcum powder lawsuit?
- 6. How long does a talcum powder lawsuit take?
- 7. Can family members file a lawsuit if their loved one died from talcum powder-related cancer?
- 8. Which talcum powder products are involved in the lawsuits?
- 9. What if I used multiple brands of talcum powder?
- 10. Will I have to go to court for a talcum powder lawsuit?
- Get Your Free Talcum Powder Lawsuit Evaluation From Our Lawyers
- References:
Update: J&J Targets Talc Expert Witness After Bankruptcy Strategy Fails
May 6, 2025 – After three failed attempts to settle tens of thousands of talc-related lawsuits through bankruptcy, Johnson & Johnson is now reviving a different legal tactic—challenging the credibility of expert witness Dr. Jacqueline Moline.
J&J is seeking to reopen a previously dismissed lawsuit in New Jersey federal court, alleging that Dr. Moline misrepresented data in her published research, which has been influential in supporting plaintiffs claiming the company’s talc products caused cancer. Originally filed in 2022, the case was tossed out in July 2023. But after winning an appeal months later that allowed access to Moline’s study data, J&J now argues that the case has fundamentally changed.
According to the updated complaint, J&J claims that many participants in Moline’s landmark 2019 study—linking asbestos-contaminated talc to mesothelioma—had other known exposures to asbestos, including from insulation or smoking-related sources. The company alleges this contradicts Moline’s assertion that the 33 study subjects had no alternate asbestos exposure.
Dr. Moline has served as an expert witness in over 200 talc-related lawsuits and testified in 16 trials over two decades. J&J now asserts her testimony was both financially lucrative and factually flawed.
This legal maneuver comes on the heels of J&J’s abandoned $9 billion Chapter 11 settlement plan, which a judge rejected last month in Texas. The company, now pivoting from bankruptcy protection strategies, says it’s ready to defend itself in court case by case.
Despite J&J’s claim that its talcum powder was safe, juries have delivered costly verdicts—including a $2.1 billion award to 22 women in Missouri and a $45 million verdict in Illinois for a woman who died from mesothelioma. The company stopped selling talc-based baby powder in North America in 2020 and globally in 2023, replacing it with a cornstarch-based alternative.
Talcum Powder Lawsuit Overview
Over 62,000 lawsuits have been filed against Johnson & Johnson, with plaintiffs alleging that talcum powder use caused ovarian cancer and mesothelioma.
Plaintiffs argue that Johnson & Johnson failed to provide adequate warnings about the potential cancer risks associated with talcum powder products.
Each year, about 3,000 mesothelioma cases are diagnosed in the U.S., with most linked to asbestos exposure, often from talc mining [1].
Since talc and asbestos are naturally occurring minerals often found together, talcum powder can become contaminated with asbestos during mining, leading to serious health risks like mesothelioma when inhaled.
Latest Talcum Powder Lawsuit Updates
- March 1, 2025 – Johnson & Johnson increased its settlement offer from an initial $2 billion to $8.9 billion to resolve over 60,000 cancer-related claims linked to its talcum powder products. The proposed settlement aims to compensate victims who developed cancer, including ovarian cancer and mesothelioma, allegedly caused by talc products. The payout is expected to be distributed over 25 years.
- February 4, 2025 – A new class action lawsuit has been filed in the UK against Johnson & Johnson over cancer risks linked to talcum powder, reflecting the company’s expanding global legal challenges.
- February 1, 2025 – The U.S. government is considering a claim of over $1 billion from Johnson & Johnson to recover cancer treatment costs related to talcum powder exposure, adding a new layer of legal and financial pressure on the company.
- July 18, 2024 – A California jury awarded $18.8 million to a man who developed cancer after using Johnson & Johnson’s baby powder, highlighting ongoing concerns about the product’s safety.
- April 4, 2023 – Johnson & Johnson proposed an $8.9 billion settlement to resolve tens of thousands of cancer-related claims linked to talcum powder products, with payments expected over 25 years.
Litigation over Johnson & Johnson’s talcum powder products is restarting after a federal bankruptcy court rejected the company’s third attempt to resolve tens of thousands of lawsuits through Chapter 11 proceedings.
Following the bankruptcy dismissal, attorneys on both sides have submitted updates to the federal judge overseeing the multidistrict litigation (MDL), laying out the remaining steps needed to prepare the first cases for trial.
Johnson & Johnson Faces Renewed Talc Lawsuit Pressure
Johnson & Johnson is battling approximately 90,000 lawsuits filed by individuals who claim that Baby Powder and Shower-to-Shower products were contaminated with asbestos, leading to ovarian cancer and other serious illnesses.
The litigation has dragged on for over a decade, delayed repeatedly by Johnson & Johnson’s controversial moves to spin off talc liabilities into a new subsidiary and have it declare bankruptcy.
However, U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Christopher Lopez recently struck down the company’s latest $9 billion settlement plan, ruling that it failed to meet bankruptcy standards.
Now, with the bankruptcy stay lifted, civil lawsuits are moving forward once again.
Federal Talcum Powder Lawsuits Back in Action
Since 2016, all federal talc lawsuits have been consolidated in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey before Judge Michael A. Shipp.
While some state court trials have resulted in massive jury awards against Johnson & Johnson, no federal cases in the MDL have yet gone to trial.
On April 1, 2025, Johnson & Johnson’s attorneys submitted a letter to Judge Shipp requesting a new case management conference. The judge responded promptly, directing both sides to file a joint status update.
The parties complied on April 8, outlining the unresolved issues that must be addressed before the first bellwether trials can be scheduled.
Key Issues to Be Resolved
One major hurdle involves pending motions filed last summer, where Johnson & Johnson sought to exclude key plaintiff expert witnesses.
If the court rules the plaintiffs’ scientific testimony is inadmissible, it could cripple their ability to prove causation between talc use and cancer.
As the joint report states:
“Resolution of these motions should be the first priority for orderly and efficient reinstatement of active litigation and preparation for bellwether trials.”
Another point of dispute concerns the selection of the first bellwether case. Plaintiffs want to consolidate two related lawsuits for trial to offset delays caused by the bankruptcy maneuver.
Johnson & Johnson opposes the idea, arguing that multi-plaintiff trials could unfairly prejudice jurors.
Additionally, disputes linger over incomplete Plaintiff Profile Forms (PPFs). Plaintiffs are requesting a new deadline of June 30, 2025 to submit missing forms, with cases facing dismissal if forms aren’t filed by July 15, 2025.
FDA Reports and Statistics
Several studies and official reports have linked talcum powder use to serious health risks, including ovarian cancer and mesothelioma:
- A study published in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine examined 33 patients diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma, whose only known asbestos exposure was through cosmetic talcum powder use. The study found that asbestos fibers consistent with those found in talc were present in tissue samples from all six patients evaluated in detail.
- A review of 166 individuals diagnosed with mesothelioma found that 122 of them had no known asbestos exposure other than cosmetic talcum powder use, indicating a strong association [2].
- In 2019, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) conducted tests on cosmetic products containing talc and found asbestos contamination, prompting product recalls to protect consumers [3].
Talcum Powder Injuries & Side Effects
Talcum powder has been linked to several serious health conditions when used regularly over extended periods:
- Ovarian Cancer: Talc particles can travel through the fallopian tubes to the ovaries, causing irritation that may lead to cancer.
- Mesothelioma: A rare and aggressive cancer caused by asbestos contamination in talc products.
- Respiratory Illnesses: Chronic conditions like bronchitis or lung disease from talc particle inhalation.
- Chronic Inflammation: Leading to tissue damage and potential carcinogenic changes.
Do You Qualify for a Talcum Powder Lawsuit?
You may qualify for a talcum powder lawsuit if:
- You used talcum powder products (such as Johnson’s Baby Powder or Shower to Shower) regularly for feminine hygiene or other purposes.
- You were diagnosed with ovarian cancer, mesothelioma, or other related conditions.
- Your diagnosis occurred after prolonged use of talc-based products.
- You can provide medical documentation linking your injuries to talcum powder use.
Related Article: Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder Lawsuit
Evidence Required for a Talcum Powder Lawsuit
- Medical records confirming your cancer diagnosis.
- Documentation of your talcum powder use (receipts, product containers).
- Timeline establishing connection between product use and diagnosis.
- Medical expert testimony linking your condition to talc exposure.
Damages You Can Recover
- Medical expenses (past and future treatments)
- Lost wages and diminished earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Punitive damages against manufacturers
Judge Rejects Johnson & Johnson’s $10 Billion Baby Powder Settlement
In a significant legal development, a U.S. bankruptcy judge has rejected Johnson & Johnson’s (J&J) proposed $10 billion settlement aimed at resolving tens of thousands of lawsuits alleging that its talc-based products, including baby powder, cause ovarian cancer.
This marks the third unsuccessful attempt by J&J to settle these claims through bankruptcy proceedings [4].
The proposed $10 billion settlement was intended to address over 60,000 lawsuits and prevent future claims.
J&J sought to resolve these claims through the bankruptcy of a subsidiary, Red River Talc LLC, which would have facilitated the creation of a trust to compensate claimants.
U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Christopher Lopez in Houston rejected the settlement, citing insufficient support from the claimants and improper inclusion of legal claim releases for non-bankrupt entities, such as certain retailers and Kenvue, a consumer health business spun off by J&J in 2023.
The judge highlighted flaws in the voting process, noting that some attorneys voted on behalf of clients without clear authority, and others lacked proof of client consent.
Johnson & Johnson’s Strategy Shifts
Unlike previous bankruptcy efforts, Johnson & Johnson has announced it does not plan to appeal the latest dismissal. Instead, the company has indicated it will defend itself in court.
J&J has already resolved approximately 95% of mesothelioma-related claims connected to talc use. The remaining cases primarily involve allegations that Baby Powder caused gynecological cancers, most notably ovarian cancer.
Despite agreeing to remove talc from Baby Powder products in the United States and Canada, Johnson & Johnson continues to deny that its talc-based products pose any health risks.
Statute of Limitations for Talcum Powder Lawsuits
The time limit for filing a talcum powder lawsuit varies by state but generally ranges from 1-6 years from the date of diagnosis or discovery that talcum powder may have contributed to your illness.
Consulting with an attorney promptly is crucial as waiting too long may forfeit your right to compensation.
FAQs
1. How much compensation can I receive from a talcum powder lawsuit?
Compensation varies widely based on case specifics, but recent settlements have ranged from millions for individual cases to Johnson & Johnson’s proposed $8.9 billion global settlement fund for all cases.
2. What is the link between talcum powder and cancer?
Studies show talc particles can travel to the ovaries when used for feminine hygiene, causing inflammation that may lead to cancer. Additionally, some talc products have been found to contain asbestos, a known carcinogen linked to mesothelioma.
3. How do I prove my cancer was caused by talcum powder?
Medical documentation, expert testimony, and evidence of regular talcum powder use are key elements in establishing causation. Your attorney will help gather and present this evidence effectively.
4. Can I still file a lawsuit if the talcum powder was used years ago?
Yes, many successful cases involve exposure from decades ago. The statute of limitations typically begins when you discover the connection between talcum powder and your illness, not when you used the product.
5. What does it cost to hire a lawyer for a talcum powder lawsuit?
Most lawyers handling talcum powder cases work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing upfront and they receive a percentage of your settlement or verdict if you win.
6. How long does a talcum powder lawsuit take?
Individual cases can take 1-3 years, though joining MDL proceedings may expedite the process. Settlement offers may resolve cases more quickly than trials.
Yes, surviving family members can file wrongful death lawsuits seeking compensation for medical expenses, lost financial support, and loss of companionship.
8. Which talcum powder products are involved in the lawsuits?
Primary products include Johnson’s Baby Powder, Shower to Shower body powder, and other talc-based cosmetic products. Both manufacturers and suppliers of talc are named in various lawsuits.
9. What if I used multiple brands of talcum powder?
You may still qualify for a lawsuit. Your attorney can help determine which manufacturers to name in your complaint based on your product usage history.
10. Will I have to go to court for a talcum powder lawsuit?
While many cases settle before trial, you should be prepared for court proceedings. Your attorney will guide you through each step of the process and represent your interests.
Related Article: Baby Powder Mesothelioma Lawsuit
Get Your Free Talcum Powder Lawsuit Evaluation From Our Lawyers
Time is limited to pursue legal action for talcum powder injuries. Most states have a statute of limitations of just 2-3 years from the date of diagnosis or discovery of the connection between talcum powder and your illness.
Schmidt & Clark, LLP offers:
- Free, confidential consultations to evaluate your case
- No upfront costs or fees for representation
- Payment only if we win your case
Don’t wait until it’s too late to seek the compensation you deserve for your talcum powder-related injuries.
References:
- https://www.sokolovelaw.com/mesothelioma/statistics/
- https://occup-med.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12995-023-00367-5
- https://www.fda.gov/cosmetics/cosmetics-compliance-enforcement/fda-advises-consumers-stop-using-certain-cosmetic-products
- https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/boards-policy-regulation/us-judge-rejects-jjs-10-billion-baby-powder-settlement-2025-04-01/