You may be eligible to bring a personal injury lawsuit against talcum powder product makers for harm you experienced from using their products. The most common defendants in talcum powder product cases are Johnson & Johnson and its various subsidiaries. They represent manufacturers and distributors of several talc-containing products.
Previous defendants include Imerys Talc America, Inc. and Personal Care Products Council (PCPC). Imerys is a talc mining and distribution company, that supplied Johnson & Johnson’s talc. PCPC is an American trade organization for the cosmetics and personal care products industries. It influences governmental agencies on issues concerning the marketing and sales practices of these products. The council’s actions have had an impact on the talc product landscape in the U.S.
More than 50,000 people have filed lawsuits against defendants like these, alleging harm caused by the genital use of talcum powder products. Because of the large volume of talc cases, federal district courts have coordinated many plaintiffs' lawsuits into a single multidistrict litigation (MDL) docket. Coordination can ease the burden on district courts while still allowing injured parties to individually pursue justice for the harms they experience.
What kinds of damages are available in a talcum powder lawsuit?
Damages, often known as “payouts,” may help compensate people for their injuries. In talcum powder lawsuits, “injury” encompasses ovarian cancers.
In a talcum powder lawsuit, you may be eligible to sue for damages for:
- Healthcare costs associated with injuries caused by talcum powder use
- Lost wages for time you missed at work because of your health issues
- Pain and suffering you experienced
- Wrongful death of a loved one
In some extreme cases, to punish a defendant, the court or a jury may also award additional damages to the injured party. These are called “punitive damages” and are awarded when a court determines the defendants’ actions were outrageous in the eyes of the law. Juries have previously awarded punitive damages against Johnson & Johnson in talcum powder trials.
Plaintiffs who have filed talcum powder lawsuits against Johnson & Johnson have won both compensatory and punitive damages. For example, in 2018, a Missouri jury awarded 22 women and their families nearly $5 billion in compensatory and punitive damages from Johnson & Johnson.
Any compensation you may receive depends on the unique facts of your case, whether you are able to settle your claims, and, if your case is tried, what a judge or jury awards you. An attorney with experience handling toxic exposure and medical claims can discuss what damages may be available if you file a talc powder case.
What proof is needed in an ovarian cancer or mesothelioma talc powder lawsuit?
If you allege yourovarian cancer or mesothelioma is because you used talcum powder, you may have a case and may be eligible for compensation. For your case to proceed, you will need to show that:
- You regularly used a talcum powder product: This can be done using evidence such as proof of purchase, physical evidence and testimony.
- You were diagnosed with a cancer caused by talc or asbestos-contaminated talc: You will need to collect your medical records proving your ovarian cancer or mesothelioma diagnosis. This will also include receipts, insurance claims and other cost documentation, which are used to determine any award amounts you may receive.
- Your ovarian cancer or mesothelioma is linked to the talcum powder product.
Your lawyer can help you find, gather and organize all of this information. They will use it to build your potential case and file a lawsuit for you if you are eligible.
If you believe that you have a claim, consider contacting an attorney as soon as possible. A statute of limitations (SOL) may limit the time you have to file a claim. If you do not file your claim within the SOL, you may lose it forever.
Motley Rice’s experience handling talcum powder lawsuits
Motley Rice has experience in litigating talcum powder lawsuits. Our team has been lead counsel in two separate trials litigating over harms caused by talcum powder.
Currently, Motley Rice attorneys Daniel Lapinski and Carmen Scott are members of the Plaintiffs’ Steering Committee for federal multidistrict litigation (MDL) for cases alleging Johnson’s Baby Powder and other talc-based products caused ovarian cancer.
Dan also serves as co-chair of the Law & Briefing Committee, and Carmen is co-chair of the Bellwether Selection Committee. As of February 3, 2025, 58,206 cases were pending in federal court for the MDL, In re Johnson & Johnson Talcum Powder Products Marketing, Sales Practices and Products Liability Litigation.
Contact a talcum powder lawyer
If you or someone you know has used talcum powder and developed cancer you may have a talcum powder claim.
Please contact medical attorney Carmen Scott by email or call 1.800.768.4026 to learn more about talcum powder lawsuits.
Contact a lawyer today