Talcum Powder Lawsuit

Asbestos Exposure and Talcum Powder Lawsuits

For decades, companies like Johnson & Johnson (J&J) made talcum powder from talc — a soft mineral often found near asbestos deposits.

Asbestos exposure can lead to a rare and deadly cancer called mesothelioma as well as lung cancer, ovarian cancer, and asbestosis.

Did you know?

Despite these known risks, products like Johnson’s® Baby Powder were still made with talc while companies hid the dangers for decades.

You might qualify to file a lawsuit if you or a loved one developed an asbestos-related disease from using talcum powder. Past talcum powder lawsuits have awarded millions of dollars.

We can help you find top asbestos lawyers to file a talcum powder lawsuit. Get started right now by using our Questions to Ask a Mesothelioma Lawyer checklist.

Why Are Talcum Powder Lawsuits Being Filed?

Tens of thousands of talcum powder lawsuits have been filed since companies like J&J knew that asbestos fibers contaminated their products.

According to recent reports:

J&J found asbestos in samples of its talcum powder dating back to the mid-1950s
Through the 2000s, additional studies noted asbestos fibers in Johnson’s baby powder
J&J hid these facts and hired researchers to publish articles claiming its products were safe
A 2019 investigation by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) found asbestos in a J&J talc sample, leading to a voluntary recall by the company

Through J&J talcum powder lawsuits, victims can seek compensation for medical bills, pain, and suffering. They may also get punitive damages designed to punish the companies responsible for wrongdoing.

Further, it may be possible to sue other companies that made or sold asbestos-containing talcum powder, such as Avon, Colgate-Palmolive, and Imerys Talc America.

2024 Talcum Powder Lawsuit Update

There are tens of thousands of Johnson & Johnson talcum powder lawsuits in progress. In January 2024, J&J agreed to a $700 million settlement to resolve an investigation launched by over 40 states into the safety of its talcum powder.

In light of the flood of lawsuits and public backlash, J&J stopped selling its talc-based baby powder in North America in 2020 and discontinued sales worldwide in 2023.

All J&J baby powder today is made out of cornstarch. Still, the company maintains that its talcum powder products were safe.

Who Can File a Mesothelioma Talcum Powder Lawsuit?

You may qualify to file a lawsuit if you or a loved one regularly used talcum powder and were later diagnosed with an asbestos illness.

Qualifying asbestos-related diseases include:

Mesothelioma
Lung cancer
Ovarian cancer
Other serious cancers and illnesses

Did you know?

U.S. veterans with mesothelioma could have been exposed to asbestos from using talcum powder and also by working with or around asbestos products while serving. Top attorneys can file mesothelioma lawsuits for eligible veterans no matter how they were exposed.

Call (877) 450-8973 to speak with one of our patient advocates who’ll determine if you may qualify to file a lawsuit.

Types of Talcum Powder Lawsuits

There are several types of talcum powder lawsuits that can be filed.

These lawsuits include:

Personal injury lawsuits: These are filed by the person diagnosed with mesothelioma or another asbestos-related illness.
Wrongful death lawsuits: Loved ones or estate representatives may be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit if a patient passes away from mesothelioma.
Multidistrict litigation (MDL): This consolidates numerous lawsuits into one. Each plaintiff (person suing) may receive a unique financial payout.
Class action lawsuits: One lawsuit represents many people. Most talcum powder lawsuits are not filed as class actions as the other types of lawsuits award higher payouts.

Our partner talcum powder lawyers can determine which type of mesothelioma lawsuit best suits your case and file it on your behalf.

Steps to Filing a Talcum Powder Cancer Lawsuit

Filing a talcum powder lawsuit for mesothelioma is simple when you work with an experienced attorney.

Top talcum powder mesothelioma lawyers do all the work associated with filing a lawsuit and pursuing compensation for you. View the steps to filing a talcum powder case below.

1. Get a Free Case Evaluation

During a case evaluation, a talcum powder attorney will determine if you can file a lawsuit and pursue justice. The best attorneys and law firms won’t charge any fee for this initial consultation.

Get a free case review from our talcum powder mesothelioma lawyers now.

2. Gather Evidence

If you’re eligible and decide to file a talcum powder lawsuit, mesothelioma lawyers will start collecting evidence to make your case as strong as possible.

This evidence may include:

History of talcum powder use
Hospital records confirming your mesothelioma diagnosis
List of medical bills and other expenses

Once this evidence has been collected, your attorneys can compile it into a talcum powder lawsuit.

3. File Your Talc Powder Lawsuit

Talcum powder lawyers at top mesothelioma law firms will file your lawsuit within your state’s statute of limitations. This time frame specifies how long you have to file a case (typically 2-3 years from the date of diagnosis or the patient’s death).

Your attorneys will also file the lawsuit in the court best suited for your case. Any and all companies that may be responsible for your asbestos exposure will be sued.

4. Reach a Settlement or Go to Trial

Your talcum powder asbestos attorneys will negotiate with the lawyers for the talcum powder companies to get mesothelioma compensation on your behalf.

The vast majority of lawsuits reach out-of-court settlements where the companies being sued agree to pay you. A settlement prevents a trial (where a judge and/or jury decides the case).

That said, our partner mesothelioma attorneys will make your talcum powder lawsuit as strong as possible if a trial does occur.

Find the best attorneys for your case by using our Free Questions to Ask a Mesothelioma Lawyer checklist.

Talcum Powder Lawsuit Settlement Amounts

Settlements in talcum powder cancer lawsuits vary depending on the circumstances in each case. That said, several past talc cases have awarded millions of dollars.

Recent talcum powder settlements and jury verdicts include:

$117 million

to a man with mesothelioma

$55 million

to a woman with ovarian cancer

$72 million

to family members of a woman who died from ovarian cancer

$72.5 million

to rubber workers who developed asbestos lung cancer

$18.8 million

to a 24-year-old man with mesothelioma

Top talcum powder attorneys will do all they can to get the highest mesothelioma settlements or verdicts for your asbestos lawsuit.

Manufacturers Named in Talc Cancer Lawsuits

Baby powder lawsuits have been filed against several different manufacturers, suppliers, and distributors.

Companies that have faced legal action include:

Avon

The cosmetic company Avon lost a major talcum powder lawsuit in 2022.

In the case, a California court ordered Avon to pay over $50 million to a woman dying of mesothelioma. She had been using Avon’s talcum powder since she was 8 years old.

Colgate-Palmolive

Colgate-Palmolive has faced several lawsuits concerning its Cashmere Bouquet talcum powder.

Colgate-Palmolive and J&J lost a joint lawsuit in 2019 and were court-ordered to pay $12 million to a woman with mesothelioma.

In 2015, another woman suffering from mesothelioma received a $13 million payout from the company through a trial verdict.

Imerys Talc America

A talcum powder supplier for companies like J&J and Avon, Imerys has been named in tens of thousands of asbestos lawsuits to date.

Imerys and J&J lost a significant talcum powder lawsuit in 2018. A New Jersey court ordered the two companies to pay $117 million to a man with mesothelioma.

As of February 2024, Imerys filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings and is in the process of setting up an asbestos trust fund worth $862 million.

Johnson & Johnson

Johnson & Johnson is the most notable company facing talc-related lawsuits to date. Over 50,000 lawsuits allege that J&J’s talcum powder led to cancer.

The company has tried multiple times to set up a trust through bankruptcy court proceedings to stop all lawsuits against it. J&J proposed a trust fund plan worth $8.9 billion in 2023, but it was rejected by lawyers representing talcum powder cancer victims.

One lawyer noted that the trust’s average payout wouldn’t cover the basic expenses of an ovarian cancer diagnosis, which made the proposal “absolutely unworkable.”

Vanderbilt Minerals

This New York-based mining company has faced several lawsuits related to its talc-based products.

Vanderbilt settled a 2018 lawsuit in which a Florida tile worker developed mesothelioma. The lawsuit was in the trial phase when the settlement occurred, and the tile worker was seeking over $11 million.

In a 2023 lawsuit, a Connecticut jury awarded $20 million to the family of a man who died from mesothelioma after working with window glaze. Vanderbilt had to pay $10 million while another company, DAP Incorporated, paid the rest.

Whittaker, Clark & Daniels

Whittier, Clark & Daniels was a major talcum powder supplier between the 1970s and 1980s. The company now faces more than 2,700 asbestos-related talc lawsuits and owes over $1 billion to victims.

In 2023, Whittaker, Clark & Daniels filed for bankruptcy after a South Carolina jury awarded a $29 million verdict to a woman who claimed the company’s talc caused her cancer.

Why Hire a Lawyer for Your Talcum Powder Cancer Lawsuit?

Top talcum powder cancer lawyers will do all of the legal work involved with filing an asbestos lawsuit and fighting for compensation for you.

This means you can pursue legal compensation to cover cancer costs and other expenses without any extra stress or hassle.

Our partner talcum powder cancer lawyers:

Charge no upfront fees to handle your lawsuit
Identify which companies are responsible for your exposure
File your case within the talcum powder lawsuit deadline
Work to negotiate the highest settlement payouts
Take your case to trial if needed

Get help finding the best mesothelioma lawyers for your talcum powder lawsuit. Download our Free Questions to Ask a Mesothelioma Attorney Checklist.

Find Help for Your Talcum Powder Lawsuit

No one deserved to develop mesothelioma through exposure to asbestos fibers in talc or from asbestos products used by the U.S. military.

Yet every year, thousands of civilians and U.S. veterans develop asbestos-related illnesses since companies that made and sold talcum powder hid the risks for decades.

The Mesothelioma Veterans Center can help eligible veterans and civilians file talcum powder lawsuits against major corporations.

Our team is made up of fellow U.S. veterans, nurses, patient advocates, and lawyers who stand ready to help you and your family in any way we can.

Find top mesothelioma lawyers for veterans now, or call (877) 450-8973 to get started.

Talcum Powder Cancer Lawsuit FAQs

What is the average payout for talcum powder lawsuits?

The average settlement for talcum powder lawsuits varies by case, but many past mesothelioma patients have received millions of dollars.

A top asbestos attorney can fight for the highest settlement offers from your talcum powder lawsuit.

What is the latest update on the talcum powder lawsuit?

As of March 2024, Johnson & Johnson is facing over 50,000 talc lawsuits linking the company’s baby powder to mesothelioma, lung cancer, ovarian cancer, and other life-threatening illnesses.

J&J is trying to resolve the lawsuits and file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy (which would stop all lawsuits against it and establish a trust to compensate victims). However, plaintiff lawyers want to make sure the trust fund will fairly pay those who were harmed.

Our partner attorneys can help you file a talcum powder lawsuit right now if you qualify. Call (877) 450-8973 to learn more.

Has anyone received money from talcum powder lawsuits?

Yes, many people who developed mesothelioma, lung cancer, and other life-threatening illnesses have gotten money from talcum powder lawsuits.

In 2023, J&J lost in court was ordered to pay $18.8 million to a 24-year-old man dying of mesothelioma. He had used J&J’s talc powder since he was a child.

Does talcum powder cause cancer?

Yes, talcum powder can lead to cancer if it contains asbestos, a known carcinogen (cancer-causing material).

Many studies of J&J talcum powder found samples that were affected by asbestos contamination between the mid-1950s and 2019.

Being exposed to asbestos just once can lead to mesothelioma or other cancers later in life. Those at the greatest risk used talcum powder for long periods.

Can U.S. veterans file talcum powder lawsuits?

Yes, U.S. veterans may qualify to file lawsuits if they used contaminated talcum powder and developed a cancer like mesothelioma. They could also file if a loved one (such as their spouse) used talc and got sick or died from an asbestos-related illness.

We can help veterans file talcum powder mesothelioma lawsuits right now if eligible. Find top mesothelioma attorneys who can help veterans.