Home / Mesothelioma Compensation / Talc Powder Lawsuit

Talc Powder Asbestos Lawsuit

Fact checked and legally reviewed by Daniel Wasserberg, Esq. • Contributor & Legal Advisor

In September 2024, Johnson & Johnson (J&J) filed for bankruptcy for the third time, seeking to avoid liability in over 67,000 talcum powder asbestos lawsuits.

J&J proposed to set aside $8 billion to compensate talcum powder victims and their family members. The plan was denied by the courts in March 2025, resulting in a string of trial victories for victims in late 2025. Contact us now to see if you may qualify for financial compensation.

See If You Qualify

Talcum Powder Lawsuit Updates

Johnson and Johnson’s recent third failure to complete the controversial “Texas Two-Step” maneuver — in which a large company pushes its asbestos liabilities onto an underfunded subsidiary, which then declares bankruptcy — has had significant positive impacts for asbestos talc plaintiffs. 

Following the denial of J&J’s proposed bankruptcy settlement in March 2025, plaintiffs have secured significant victories against J&J and other manufacturers facing lawsuits over talc powder, a sign of meaningful progress against these negligent companies.

In December of 2025, a Baltimore jury awarded Cherie Craft a record-setting $1.5 billion in combined punitive and compensatory damages against J&J. Ms. Craft claimed that regular, long-term use of J&J baby powder caused her peritoneal mesothelioma.

Just a month later, in January 2026, retired U.S. District Judge Freda L. Wolfson ruled that plaintiffs’ expert witnesses could testify on the causal link between genital talc use and ovarian cancer. The ruling will impact more than 67,500 lawsuits in the federal court in New Jersey, giving tens of thousands of women a chance at justice and compensation.

Another recent win features a different defendant. Avon, a global cosmetic company, sought to overturn a $52.1 million verdict from 2022. However, the California appellate court that reviewed the claim upheld the verdict, protecting the plaintiff’s rights.

Major Verdicts & Settlements

Plaintiff/Case	Defendant	Amount Awarded	Key Outcome
22 Women (2018)	Johnson & Johnson	$4.7 Billion	The jury found that J&J knew its baby powder contained asbestos.
Rita-Ann Chapman (2022)	Avon	$52.1 Milliion	Evidence showed that Avon sold four talc products known to contain high levels of asbestos for 103 days to exhaust its stock
Sarah Plant (2023)	Whittaker, Clark & Daniels	$29.1 Million	First verdict involving a cosmetic talc supplier (Mary Kay).
Theresa Garcia (2024)	Johnson & Johnson	$45 Million	Kenvue, a former consumer healthcare division of J&J, was included as a defendant in this case.
Mae Moore (October 2025)	Johnson & Johnson	$966 Million	The case cited both J&J baby powder and its Shower-to-Shower product as sources of asbestos contamination.
Monica Kent and Deborah Schultz (December 2025)	Johnson & Johnson	$40 Million	J&J’s talc-based baby powder products caused ovarian cancer in both women.
Cherie Craft (December 2025)	Johnson & Johnson	$1.5 Billion	Record-breaking single plaintiff verdict against J&J.

If you or someone you love used talc products and has been diagnosed with an asbestos-related health condition, you may be eligible for financial compensation.

Johnson and Johnson Asbestos Lawsuits

In 2019, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) issued subpoenas as part of an ongoing investigation into asbestos contamination in Johnson & Johnson talc products.

To date, more than 90,000 people have filed lawsuits against J&J for asbestos exposure. The company has paid billions to settle legal cases for individuals who have developed mesothelioma and ovarian cancer.

Despite claims made by Erik Haas, Worldwide Vice President of Litigation for Johnson & Johnson, that the company has “prevailed in 16 of 17 ovarian cases tried in the last 11 years and will continue to devote our efforts to defeating these fake claims,” trends are not on the company’s side. 

The bankruptcy ruling in March 2025 has prevented the company from funneling the claims through an underfunded asbestos bankruptcy trust fund.

J&J is currently facing more than 67,500 pending lawsuits, which could cost it billions in mesothelioma settlements and verdicts as cases go to trial in the latter half of 2026.

Ovarian Cancer Lawsuits

Since the early 2000s, thousands of women who used talc-based products and powders have filed successful ovarian cancer lawsuits.

At-fault companies such as Johnson & Johnson and Avon have paid billions of dollars in jury awards but have not admitted any wrongdoing. Johnson & Johnson alone faces more than 67,500 lawsuits due to its asbestos-containing talc products.

A historic jury award in 2019 resulted in Johnson & Johnson paying $4.7 billion to 22 ovarian cancer patients who had used the company’s baby powder products for years. Although the verdict was later reduced to $2.1 billion on appeal, the case remains a turning point in asbestos talc litigation.

A recent run of successful trial verdicts in late 2025 has resulted in record-breaking awards. One, awarded in California, resulted in the plaintiff receiving $966 million, a record-breaking sum for a single plaintiff. It didn’t hold the record for long, as a $1.5 billion verdict in Baltimore quickly took its place. 

In all instances, the juries determined the companies knew about the dangers of asbestos-contaminated talc but hid the information from the public.

Talcum Powder and Cancer

Asbestos-containing talc has been classified as carcinogenic to humans by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). Research confirms that asbestos-contaminated talc is a cause of many types of cancer.

Additionally, in 2024, the IARC determined that talc itself, even without asbestos contamination, is probably carcinogenic to humans.

Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is an aggressive form of cancer that targets the thin tissue surrounding certain organs, including the lungs, abdomen, and heart. Mesothelioma is expensive to treat, with patients typically spending an average of $400,000 out of pocket each year.

Lung Cancer

Although most lung cancer cases stem from smoking and radon exposure, 3% to 4% of cases are linked to asbestos. Like mesothelioma, lung cancer takes decades to develop. Smoking also worsens asbestos lung cancer.

Ovarian Cancer

Research as far back as the 1970s has indicated a link between talcum powder and health issues, with studies finding talc particles in ovarian cancer tumors. Consequently, individuals who use talcum powder, especially for dusting the genital area, face a heightened risk of developing asbestos-related illnesses.

Endometrial Cancer

One study found talcum powder may increase the risk of endometrial cancer in postmenopausal women.

Avon Mesothelioma Lawsuits

The cosmetic giant known for its door-to-door sales associates, Avon, faces scores of lawsuits over its use of asbestos in its talc-based hair, face, and body products.

In December 2022, a jury awarded $52.1 million in damages to a 76-year-old woman who developed mesothelioma after decades of using Avon products. The jury determined that the company knew about the asbestos risks but concealed the truth.

In a more recent case, Cipriano Ramirez and his family were awarded $24․4 million in damages by a Cook County jury in 2024. Mr․ Ramirez developed mesothelioma as a result of working as a janitor for Avon at its Morton Grove, Illinois, plant in the 1980s, where the company processed talc contaminated with asbestos․

Talc, a soft mineral often found alongside asbestos in rock formations, is a key ingredient in many Avon products. The proximity of these two minerals means that contamination of the finely ground talc with asbestos during the mining process is a persistent and challenging risk.

Some of Avon’s talc-based products include face powder, setting powder, dry shampoo, and body powder, many of which were contaminated with asbestos.

Talcum Powder Lawsuit Steps & Timeline

The timeline from filing your asbestos talc claim to receiving any compensation is highly variable. Key factors that influence this duration include the number of defendants involved, the strength of the evidence, the specific type of claim, and the defendants’ willingness to settle.

Although there is no exact timeline for talcum powder lawsuits, most claims follow a predictable legal process, with many cases settling before they ever reach trial. In fact, in a recent press release, Johnson & Johnson claimed it settles 95% of the ovarian cancer claims filed against it. 

Although the litigation process can be challenging, claimants can ease the burden, reduce stress, and improve outcomes by working with a specialized asbestos attorney with experience handling talc cases.

Steps to follow when filing a talcum powder lawsuit:

• Get your free consultation: Our team of advocates offers a free consultation to determine your eligibility for a claim. Contact us to understand your potential claim value and learn if you qualify.
• Case filing and review: If you qualify and decide to move forward, your attorney will review your case. They will then start collecting the necessary evidence and documentation, such as medical records, lost wages, and verification of talcum powder use. After the claim is fully prepared, your lawyer will file it with the court on your behalf.
• Discovery: Once the defendants receive notice of the claim, both parties enter discovery, a phase of intensive research and evidence exchange that allows each party to build its case. Your lawyer’s job is to build a strong connection between your illness and the defendant’s asbestos-contaminated talc product. 
• Negotiation and settlement: A strong claim often leads to a settlement offer. While the initial offer may be low, your attorney will negotiate with the defendant’s legal team to reach an acceptable compromise. Most talc claims are resolved through an out-of-court settlement. If the parties fail to reach an agreement, the case will proceed to trial.

Out-of-court settlements offer claimants a relatively quick, lower-stress route to compensation. Once finalized, a settlement offer is legally binding, unlike a trial verdict, which can be overturned or reduced on appeal. 

Although most settlements are negotiated and accepted before a claim goes to trial, it’s possible to accept a settlement offer during a trial if the defendant offers one.

Common Questions About Talc & Asbestos

Which companies are known for manufacturing and supplying talcum powder?

Known talc manufacturers and suppliers include:

• Avon
• Chanel
• Clubman Talc
• Colgate-Palmolive
• Cyprus Amax Minerals Company
• Gold Bond
• Imerys Talc America
• Johnson & Johnson
• Pfizer
• Revlon
• Shulton Company
• Valiant Pharmaceuticals International
• Whittaker, Clark & Daniels

What products are known to contain talcum powder?

In the early 1890s, Johnson & Johnson introduced Johnson’s Baby Powder to help relieve skin chafing and diaper rash. This product quickly became the go-to powder for babies.

Other companies produced their own lines of talc-based face and body powders, which included products marketed to adults.

Some of those products include:

• Bauer & Black Baby Talc
• Cashmere Bouquet Body Talc
• Chanel No. 5 After Bath Powder
• Coty Airspun Face Powder
• Desert Flower Dusting Powder
• English Leather After Shave Talc
• Faberg Brut Talc
• Friendship Garden Talcum Powder
• Johnson’s Baby Powder
• Johnson & Johnson’s Shower to Shower Products
• Kings Men After Shave Talc
• Mennen Shave Talc
• Old Spice After Shave Talc
• Pinaud Clubman Talc Powder
• Rosemary Talc
• Yardley Invisible Talc
• Yardley Black Label
• ZBT Baby Powder

What type of products can lead to secondhand talc exposure?

With about a dozen talc mines in the United States, workers are exposed on the job every day. Their families are also vulnerable to secondhand exposure. The risk of asbestos exposure goes far beyond cosmetic powders.

Other products historically made using talc include:

• Adhesives
• Automobile airbags
• Ceramic tiles
• Chalk
• Chewing gum (to prevent sticking)
• Clay
• Crayons
• Electric cables
• Electrical switchboards
• Gaskets
• Household appliances
• Ink
• Makeup (including pressed and loose powders)
• Paper
• Plastic automotive parts
• Porcelain
• Pottery
• Powder for sporting activities like gymnastics
• Rice (to prevent sticking)
• Rubber gloves
• Rubber sealants

Can I file a lawsuit if my loved one has already passed away?

When a death is caused by another party’s negligence, recklessness, or intentional actions, surviving family members may seek compensation by filing a wrongful death lawsuit. This is a civil claim that allows bereaved family members to seek damages for their losses.

Eligibility varies by state, but typically includes:

• Spouses/partners
• Children
• Parents (if decedent had no spouse or child)

Victims are eligible for economic damages (lost income/support, medical bills, funeral costs, loss of inheritance, etc.) and non-economic damages (pain and suffering, loss of companionship, etc.).

Can I still file a claim if the product was used years ago?

Most claims related to asbestos-contaminated talc involve exposure that occurred decades ago. Asbestos-related diseases, such as mesothelioma, have a very long latency period, often taking between 10 and 50 years to develop after initial exposure.

The severity of these illnesses results from consumers spending years inhaling and ingesting small asbestos particles from talc products. These particles become embedded in body tissues, leading to irritation, scarring, and cell damage. Many consumers who used these talc products during the 1960s through the 1990s are only now receiving a diagnosis.