Johnson & Johnson Talcum Powder Lawsuit
The largest active MDL in the federal court system with over $7 billion in verdicts. Plaintiffs allege that Johnson & Johnson's talcum powder products caused ovarian cancer and mesothelioma due to asbestos contamination.
Key Takeaways
- Over 67,600 cases pending as of May 2026, making this the largest active MDL
- Johnson & Johnson has lost over $7 billion in jury verdicts (many under appeal)
- WHO/IARC classified talc as "probably carcinogenic" (Group 2A) in July 2024
- Two bankruptcy attempts to limit liability have been rejected by courts
- Cases allege talcum powder caused ovarian cancer and mesothelioma
May 2026 Updates Latest
67,623 cases pending (70,305 total) — still the largest active MDL in the federal court system. Mediator Fouad Kurdi convened the rescheduled April 27, 2026 settlement session under Judge Michael Shipp's order requiring representatives with full settlement authority on both sides; J&J has continued to publicly maintain it does not currently intend to offer a global settlement. A March 2026 federal jury also returned a $50 million verdict against J&J in an asbestos-contaminated talc mesothelioma case.
On the federal side, the Carter Judkins bellwether — the first federal bellwether — remains on track for trial later in 2026. Following Judge Christopher Lopez's rejection of the proposed $8 billion bankruptcy settlement, all MDL claims are proceeding in court rather than through Chapter 11. In a separate state-court matter, a Los Angeles judge in March 2026 vacated $950 million in punitive damages against J&J while leaving the $16 million compensatory award in place. Bloomberg Intelligence analysts continue to estimate ultimate exposure as high as $11 billion.
Key Facts (May 2026)
| Pending Lawsuits | 67,623+ cases in federal MDL |
| Total Paid in Verdicts | Over $7 billion (pre-appeal) |
| Largest Individual Verdict | $1.56 billion (Craft, Maryland, December 2025) |
| Largest Class Verdict | $4.69 billion → $2.12 billion (Missouri, 2018) |
| U.S. Talc Sales Stopped | 2020 |
| Worldwide Talc Sales Stopped | 2023 |
| Bankruptcy Settlement Status | $9 billion proposal rejected (April 2025) |
| WHO Classification (2024) | Talc reclassified as "probably carcinogenic" |
| Presiding Judge | Hon. Michael A. Shipp (D.N.J.) |
| Can You Still File? | Yes, lawsuits are actively being filed |
Massive Case Surge in 2025
The largest MDL continues to grow rapidly. Case count has surged 16% since January 2025, with major increases following bankruptcy settlement rejections.
Source: JPML MDL Statistics Reports, February 2025-May 2026
1 What Is This Lawsuit?
The Johnson and Johnson talc lawsuit is a massive legal action involving tens of thousands of people who claim that J&J's talc-based products—primarily Johnson's Baby Powder and Shower to Shower—caused them to develop cancer.
Asbestos & Mesothelioma Claims
Plaintiffs allege J&J's talc products were contaminated with asbestos, a known carcinogen. Talc and asbestos naturally occur together in the earth—when talc is mined, asbestos fibers can contaminate the product if not properly tested and purified.
Ovarian Cancer Claims
Thousands of women allege that using talcum powder for feminine hygiene led to ovarian cancer. Studies have found talc particles can migrate to the ovaries, and long-term genital use is associated with increased cancer risk.
Internal company documents revealed during litigation suggest J&J knew about potential asbestos contamination as early as the 1970s but concealed this information from consumers and regulators. In 2019, the FDA found asbestos in some samples of Johnson's Baby Powder, leading to a voluntary recall of 33,000 bottles.
WHO Reclassification (July 2024)
The World Health Organization's International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) upgraded talc's classification from "possibly carcinogenic" (Group 2B) to "probably carcinogenic to humans" (Group 2A), citing evidence of increased ovarian cancer risk in women who used talcum powder in the genital area.
2 2025 Verdicts — $1.78 Billion Total($2.73B before post-trial reductions)
A Baltimore jury returned the largest individual talc verdict in history. The 54-year-old plaintiff used J&J talc products for over 40 years before her January 2024 diagnosis of peritoneal mesothelioma. The jury found evidence of "fraudulent misrepresentation or concealment" about cancer risks.
Case: Craft v. Ahold Delhaize US Inc. (24-X-000005) — Baltimore City Circuit Court. Lead counsel: Dean Omar Branham Shirley. J&J has announced it will appeal.
A 37-year-old mother of three developed peritoneal mesothelioma after using Johnson's Baby Powder throughout her childhood. Largest asbestos-related verdict in Minnesota history.
First ovarian cancer plaintiff verdict since 2021, as J&J's bankruptcy attempts had paused trials. Both women developed cancer after decades of using J&J talc products.
A Los Angeles jury originally awarded $966M to the family of Mae K. Moore, who died in 2021 at age 88 from mesothelioma after decades of using J&J products. On March 13, 2026, Judge Ruth A. Kwan granted J&J's motion for judgment notwithstanding the verdict (JNOV), eliminating the $950M punitive damages award. The judge found insufficient evidence that J&J knew asbestos was in its products, noting "hundreds of test results showed no asbestos" and studies claiming otherwise "were retracted, could not be duplicated, or were otherwise debunked." The $16M compensatory award stands. Both sides have indicated they will appeal.
Case: Moore v. Johnson & Johnson — Los Angeles County Superior Court. Judge Ruth A. Kwan. Lead counsel: Dean Omar Branham Shirley (Danny Kraft). JNOV ruling: March 13, 2026. Both sides appealing.
A 79-year-old nephrologist who developed pleural mesothelioma after decades of using J&J talc products.
Judge added $10M in punitive damages to earlier $15M compensatory award. Plotkin developed mesothelioma after using J&J products from the 1950s through 2000s.
Largest mesothelioma verdict in Massachusetts history. Paul used J&J powder on himself and his children for over 40 years before diagnosis.
Earlier 2025 Verdicts
3 2024 Verdicts
| Date | Location | Plaintiff | Award | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 2024 | Oregon | Kyung Lee | $260M | Overturned |
| Aug 2024 | South Carolina | Michael Perry | $63.4M | Under Appeal |
| Jul 2024 | Illinois | Cipriano Ramirez Estate | $24.4M | Under Appeal |
| Apr 2024 | Illinois | Theresa Garcia Estate | $45M | Under Appeal |
4 Failed Bankruptcy Settlement Attempts
Johnson & Johnson has attempted three times to resolve talc claims through bankruptcy using a controversial strategy known as the "Texas Two-Step"—creating a subsidiary to hold liabilities, then filing that subsidiary for bankruptcy.
| Attempt | Entity | Proposed Amount | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| First (2021) | LTL Management | Not disclosed | Dismissed (2022) |
| Second (2023) | LTL Management | $8.9 billion | Dismissed (2023) |
| Third (2024-25) | Red River Talc | $9 billion | Rejected (April 2025) |
In April 2025, U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Christopher Lopez rejected J&J's third attempt, finding that the company "did not belong in bankruptcy proceedings." J&J announced it would not appeal and would instead defend cases in court.
5 Settlement Developments
State Consumer Protection Settlement — $700 Million
Johnson & Johnson agreed to pay $700 million to settle talc-related consumer protection claims brought by 42 states. This settlement addressed claims that J&J made deceptive statements about the safety of its talc products but did not resolve individual personal injury lawsuits.
Talc Supplier Settlement — $505 Million
Imerys Talc (J&J's former talc supplier) agreed to a $505 million settlement to resolve disputes over talc liabilities.
Court-Ordered Mediation Begins
The MDL court appointed a mediator to facilitate settlement discussions. The first mediation session was held September 4, 2025. Both sides are participating in court-ordered settlement talks.
6 Who May Qualify
You may be eligible to file a J&J talc lawsuit if you meet these criteria:
Mesothelioma Claims
- Used J&J talc products (Baby Powder, Shower to Shower)
- Diagnosed with mesothelioma (pleural, peritoneal, or pericardial)
- Any gender can file—men and women affected
- Childhood exposure counts (parents using powder on children)
Ovarian Cancer Claims
- Used J&J talc products for feminine hygiene
- Applied product to genital/perineal area
- Regular use for extended period before diagnosis
- Diagnosed with ovarian cancer (especially serous type)
7 Real People Affected
Cherie A. Craft
$1.56 Billion — Maryland, December 2025 (LARGEST INDIVIDUAL VERDICT)
A 54-year-old Maryland resident diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma in January 2024 after using J&J talc products for over 40 years. The Baltimore City Circuit Court jury found evidence of "fraudulent misrepresentation or concealment" about cancer risks, awarding $59.84M in compensatory damages plus $1.5B in punitive damages ($1B against J&J, $500M against Pecos River Talc LLC). J&J has announced it will appeal.
Anna Jean Houghton Carley
$65.5 Million — Minnesota, December 2025
A 37-year-old mother of three minor children diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma in 2025. Johnson's Baby Powder was used on her throughout her childhood, and her family was never warned about potential dangers. Her attorney stated: "This case was not about compensation only. It was about truth and accountability."
Paul Lovell
$42.6 Million — Massachusetts, July 2025
Paul, 69, used Johnson's Baby Powder on himself and his children for over 40 years. Diagnosed with mesothelioma in 2021. He and his wife Kathryn, married for over 44 years with four children, received the largest mesothelioma verdict in Massachusetts history—including $11 million for Kathryn's future loss of consortium.
Janice Paluzzi
$8 Million — Massachusetts, June 2025
Janice, 84, used Johnson's Baby Powder for over 70 years, starting in the 1950s. She used it on herself and all seven of her children while raising them. Diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma in 2021. J&J argued her sons' construction work caused her exposure; the jury rejected this defense.
8 Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the Johnson and Johnson talc lawsuit worth?
Is this a class action lawsuit?
Is Johnson's Baby Powder still being sold?
Is it too late to file a lawsuit?
How long does a talc lawsuit take?
What is Johnson & Johnson's position?
Why did J&J's bankruptcy settlement fail three times?
Sources & References
7 official sources citedJudicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (JPML) — Official MDL statistics
World Health Organization / IARC — Talc carcinogenicity classification
FDA — Talc testing and safety information
American Cancer Society — Talc and cancer risk information
Claims Journal / Bloomberg — Craft verdict reporting
Dean Omar Branham Shirley LLP — Lead plaintiff counsel press release
Court records (Baltimore City Circuit Court, Case 24-X-000005), press releases, and news reports from Reuters, ABC News, CNN, Law360, and legal industry publications. Data current as of May 2026.
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Every case is unique, and results depend on the specific facts and circumstances involved. Past settlement amounts and case outcomes do not guarantee similar results in your case. If you believe you have a legal claim, you should consult with a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction who can evaluate your specific situation.