Talcum Powder Ovarian Cancer Lawsuit – Status & Eligibility

Women with ovarian cancer have sued Johnson & Johnson over talc powders, including Johnson’s Baby Powder and Shower to Shower. They allege the powders caused their cancer and carried no adequate warning. J&J denies the claims.

About 69,000 of these cases sit in a federal multidistrict litigation (MDL) in New Jersey. On July 27, 2026, J&J announced a proposed $5.5 billion resolution of about 76,000 claims. It is not final and needs 95% participation.

In July 2026, the MDL court gave plaintiffs until November 19 to defend their cases against dismissal. The judge cites a gap in admissible expert evidence that talc caused each woman’s own cancer.

Latest Talcum Powder Lawsuit Updates

July 27, 2026: J&J Announces Proposed $5.5 Billion Resolution

Johnson & Johnson announced a deal with the plaintiff firms leading the federal MDL and related state cases [1]. It would resolve about 76,000 ovarian talc claims for a $5.5 billion commitment.

The first payment would be no more than $3 billion, made in 2027. The deal needs at least 95% of the remaining claims to take part. It is not yet final.

July 22, 2026: Court Orders Plaintiffs to Show Cause

Magistrate Judge Rukhsanah Singh in Trenton ordered the MDL plaintiffs to respond by November 19 [2]. They must explain why their cases should not be dismissed.

The order cites a lack of admissible expert evidence on specific causation. That means proof that talc caused each woman’s own cancer. Reuters reports the judge said this would not lead to instant dismissal.

March 4, 2026: Ontario Court Certifies Canada-Wide Class Action

The Ontario Superior Court of Justice certified a Canada-wide class action over J&J’s talc baby powder [3]. The suit alleges the powder was sold without adequate warnings of epithelial ovarian cancer risk after perineal use.

Daily Hive reported that the court has not yet ruled on the merits [4]. Certification does not decide whether J&J is liable, and J&J has denied the allegations.

January 20, 2026: Special Master Rules Plaintiffs’ Experts May Testify

Special master Freda Wolfson ruled that plaintiffs’ experts may testify at trial that J&J talc products cause ovarian cancer [5]. J&J has said its products are safe.

According to Reuters, the MDL held more than 67,500 lawsuits before Judge Michael Shipp. Wolfson oversaw the MDL from its creation in 2016 until she retired in 2023. In 2024, Shipp brought her back as special master.

December 12, 2025: Los Angeles Jury Awards $40 Million

A Los Angeles jury awarded $40 million to two women over claims that J&J talc powder caused their ovarian cancer [6]. J&J says it has won 16 of the 17 ovarian cancer cases it previously tried.

The jury awarded $18 million to Monica Kent and $22 million to Deborah Schultz and her husband. J&J said it would appeal the liability verdict and the compensatory damages.

November 28, 2025: FDA Withdraws Proposed Asbestos Testing Rule

The FDA withdrew its proposed rule on testing methods for detecting asbestos in talc-containing cosmetic products [7]. The agency announced the withdrawal on its talc page.

The FDA had published the proposed rule on December 27, 2024. Its talc page says studies of talc in the genital area have not conclusively demonstrated a link to ovarian cancer. The agency adds that more research is needed.

March 31, 2025: Judge Rejects Red River Talc Bankruptcy Plan

U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Christopher Lopez in Houston denied confirmation of the prepackaged Chapter 11 plan of J&J affiliate Red River Talc LLC [8]. He also dismissed its bankruptcy case.

It ended J&J’s third bankruptcy attempt. J&J had tried to settle the talc cases through bankruptcies of a shell subsidiary. Reuters reported the talc litigation resumed in March 2025 after more than three years on hold [9].

November 20, 2024: BBC Reports Planned UK Group Action

The BBC reported that women in the UK were planning a group action against J&J over talc and cancer claims [10]. About 1,900 potential claimants were involved.

The BBC wrote that the action, if it proceeds, would be the first of its kind against J&J in the UK. KP Law, representing claimants, expected litigation to start at the beginning of 2025.

July 5, 2024: IARC Classifies Talc as Probably Carcinogenic

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified talc as probably carcinogenic to humans (Group 2A) [11]. It cited limited evidence in humans for ovarian cancer.

IARC is part of the World Health Organization (WHO). The classification also rests on sufficient evidence in experimental animals and strong mechanistic evidence.

June 12, 2024: 43 Attorneys General Announce $700 Million Settlement

Alaska Attorney General Treg Taylor and 42 other attorneys general announced a $700 million settlement [12]. It covers the marketing of J&J’s talc baby powder and body powder. The release said it was pending judicial approval.

The states alleged J&J failed to warn that its products may contain asbestos. They also alleged studies had linked genital use of talc with a higher ovarian cancer risk.

October 18, 2019: J&J Recalls One Lot of Johnson’s Baby Powder

J&J voluntarily recalled one lot of Johnson’s Baby Powder, Lot #22318RB, after an FDA sample tested positive for asbestos [13]. The FDA advised consumers not to use that lot.

The lot number is printed on the back of the bottle under the cap. The sample came from an FDA survey of about 50 talc-containing cosmetics that started in 2018.

What Is Talc?

According to the American Cancer Society, talc is a mineral made mainly of magnesium, silicon, and oxygen [14]. It is widely used in baby powder and adult body and facial powders.

Asbestos is a natural mineral often found near talc. The FDA says talc may carry asbestos if mining sites are not chosen with care or the ore is not purified enough.

Who May Be Affected?

Women diagnosed with ovarian cancer after using talc body powder in the genital area may be affected. The cases name J&J’s baby powder and its Shower to Shower body powder.

The July 2026 resolution covers only claims that already exist. Reuters reported that it does not address lawsuits filed in the future.

The Ontario class action covers women in Canada who bought J&J talc baby powder for perineal use. It also covers women who developed epithelial ovarian cancer after that use, and their heirs and estates.

Mesothelioma is a different cancer with separate claims that J&J has largely settled, Reuters reported, and our baby powder mesothelioma lawsuit page covers them.

Whether you qualify depends on your own diagnosis, use history and records, and only an individual legal review of your claim can say.

Reported Injuries or Damages

Plaintiffs allege that using talc powder in the genital area caused their ovarian cancer. J&J denies this and says talc does not contain asbestos.

IARC said a causal role for talc could not be fully established. Reporting biases could not be ruled out, and asbestos contamination could not be excluded in most studies.

The American Cancer Society says studies have had mixed findings. Some reported a slightly higher risk and some reported no increase.

Case-control studies found a small rise in risk but can be biased by recall of past use. Prospective cohort studies mostly found no significant rise overall.

Recall and Regulatory Background

FDA testing of Johnson’s Baby Powder found asbestos in one lot, Lot #22318RB. A second lot, Lot #00918RA, tested negative for asbestos.

J&J stopped selling talc baby powder in the United States in 2020, Reuters reported. J&J’s release says it discontinued the talc powder globally in 2023.

A recall is a safety action. It does not decide whether talc caused any woman’s ovarian cancer or whether J&J is liable.

Evidence to Preserve

Keep these records and items safe, because they can show what you used and when:

• The bottle or container, its packaging and any lot numbers printed on them
• Photos of the product and its label, taken before you discard anything
• Receipts or other proof of purchase, such as store or online order records
• A record of the brands you used, for how many years and how often
• Your diagnosis and pathology reports, and the names of treating doctors and hospitals
• Treatment records and bills for the care you received after the diagnosis
• A summary of your family medical history that you can share with a lawyer
• Any letters, emails or messages about the product, the diagnosis or your treatment

Filing Deadlines

Filing deadlines for talc ovarian cancer claims come from state law and are strict time limits for starting a case.

The deadline depends on where you live and when the illness, injury and diagnosis happened, and some states start the clock at diagnosis.

A claim can end if it is filed too late, even when the facts are strong. Because of that, speak with a lawyer promptly about your own dates.

Potential Compensation

Medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life and future care are damages claimed in these cases.

Plaintiffs’ lawyer Chris Seeger said the deal assigns set values to qualifying claims and does not cap J&J’s total payout, and that J&J could pay $7 billion or more.

Compensation amounts vary by case. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Potential compensation in the MDL also depends on whether plaintiffs can prove specific causation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is There a Talcum Powder Lawsuit Settlement?

Yes, J&J has proposed a talcum powder lawsuit settlement for ovarian cancer claims. Plaintiffs’ lawyer Chris Seeger said all claims would be paid within 18 months, Reuters reported. J&J’s release says no more payments are due before 2028 after the first one.

What Does the Research Say About Ovarian Cancer Risk from Talcum Powder?

Research on the ovarian cancer risk from talcum powder is mixed. The FDA says published studies going back to the 1960s suggested a possible association, but have not conclusively demonstrated such a link. IARC’s review was done by a Working Group of 29 international experts.

Is There a Talcum Powder Class Action Lawsuit in Canada?

Yes, a Canada-wide talcum powder class action lawsuit has been certified in Ontario. The representative plaintiff is Charles Baker, whose wife Kristin died of ovarian cancer. Paul Miller of Howie, Sacks and Henry LLP is class counsel.

What Did Plaintiffs’ Experts Say About Specific Causation?

On specific causation, plaintiffs’ experts Judith Wolf and Daniel Clarke-Pearson said they could not completely rule out other possible causes, Reuters reported. J&J says plaintiffs withdrew them in two bellwether cases. That is J&J’s characterization and not a court finding.

References

1. https://s203.q4cdn.com/636242992/files/doc_news/Johnson–Johnson-Announces-a-Proposed-Resolution-of-Ovarian-Talc-Litigation-2026.pdf
2. https://amp.insurancejournal.com/news/national/2026/07/23/878767.htm
3. https://www.law360.ca/ca/articles/2451954
4. https://dailyhive.com/canada/johnson-and-johnson-class-action
5. https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/u-judge-allows-experts-testify-015144956.html
6. https://www.foxla.com/news/johnson-and-johnson-40-million
7. https://www.fda.gov/cosmetics/cosmetic-ingredients/talc
8. https://www.law360.com/articles/2331854
9. https://www.irishtimes.com/business/2026/07/28/jj-reaches-55bn-talc-deal-that-could-end-decade-of-litigation/
10. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c07ng47xv3go
11. https://www.iarc.who.int/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/pr352_E.pdf
12. https://law.alaska.gov/press/releases/2024/061224-JJ.html
13. https://www.fda.gov/cosmetics/cosmetics-compliance-enforcement/fda-advises-consumers-stop-using-certain-cosmetic-products
14. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/risk-prevention/chemicals/talcum-powder-and-cancer.html