Talcum Powder and Asbestos Exposure
Talcum powder is made from a soft, naturally occurring mineral called talc, which is the primary ingredient in baby powder, makeup, and a variety of personal care products.
Unfortunately, talc sometimes contains asbestos, a mineral that’s been associated with several cancers. Talc and asbestos naturally form in the same place underground, and some talc deposits can become tainted with asbestos during the mining process.
People who use contaminated talcum powder products may breathe in or swallow asbestos fibers without knowing it. These fibers can get trapped in the body and irritate healthy tissue until cells mutate and become cancerous.
Asbestos-containing talcum powder has been linked to:
- Mesothelioma
- Lung cancer
- Ovarian cancer
- And other diseases
Why Are People Filing Talcum Powder Lawsuits?
Talc manufacturers and suppliers now face lawsuits alleging their products were contaminated with asbestos but continued to be sold in stores and marketed as safe to use. Johnson & Johnson (J&J) faces the highest number of talcum powder lawsuits, most of them linked to its iconic baby powder.
J&J stopped selling talc-based products in 2023 and replaced the main ingredient in its baby powder with cornstarch. However, there’s evidence the company knew its products could cause cancer but kept regulators and the public in the dark.
“J&J didn’t tell the FDA that at least three tests by three different labs from 1972 to 1975 had found asbestos in its talc – in one case at levels reported as ‘rather high.’”
– Reuters investigative report
You or a loved one may be able to file a lawsuit if you came into contact with talcum powder and later developed mesothelioma or another cancer. Get a Free Case Review to see if you can access financial compensation.
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Latest News on the Johnson & Johnson Talcum Powder Lawsuit
As of January 2025, there are over 62,000 product liability lawsuits pending against Johnson & Johnson.
- On October 15, 2024, a Connecticut jury awarded $15 million to a man who developed mesothelioma after using Johnson & Johnson baby powder for decades.
- In South Carolina, a man with mesothelioma was awarded $63.4 million in a jury verdict against J&J on August 15, 2024.
- On June 3, 2024, an Oregon jury found J&J responsible for a 48-year-old woman’s mesothelioma diagnosis and ordered the company to pay her $260 million.
- In the first verdict against J&J’s affiliate Kenvue Inc., a jury ordered the company and J&J to pay $45 million to the family of an Illinois woman who died from mesothelioma linked to her use of asbestos-contaminated talc powder. The verdict was reached on April 19, 2024.
Previously in January 2024, J&J announced it would pay $700 million to settle talc consumer protection claims in 42 states. A group of state attorneys general allege the company wrongfully marketed its baby powder by not warning consumers of the health risk.
This news came after J&J’s second bankruptcy claim was denied by Chief Judge Michael Kaplan of the District of New Jersey. A number of the J&J claims have been consolidated into multidistrict litigation (MDL) cases, meaning the victims fight together, but each person receives their own settlement.
Who Qualifies for the Talcum Powder Lawsuit?
People who developed an asbestos-related illness after being exposed to talc may meet the talcum powder lawsuit criteria.
This means you may be able to sue if:
- You or a loved one used talc-based baby powder regularly or for a long period
- You or your loved one was diagnosed with mesothelioma or another type of cancer
Not sure if you qualify? Contact us now to speak with our team and get your questions answered.
How to File a Talcum Powder Cancer Lawsuit
The lawyers we partner with can handle every part of the lawsuit process for you, so you can focus on your health and family.
The claims process generally includes the following steps.
1. Free Case Review
During your free case review, a representative from the law firm will listen to your story and review the details of your case.
If your case meets the requirements needed to file a claim, your legal representative will let you know what steps to take next.
2. Case Preparation
After confirming there’s evidence to proceed with a lawsuit, your attorney and their team of paralegals, investigators, and registered nurses will prepare the paperwork to file your claim.
Your legal team can help gather your medical records, biopsy reports, work history, and any other documentation, so you shouldn’t worry if you don’t have all the details right now.
3. Talcum Powder Lawsuit Filing
After preparing these documents, your attorney will file the suit on your behalf before the talcum powder lawsuit deadline, or statute of limitations.
These laws place a time limit on how long you have to file a lawsuit after a cancer diagnosis or the death of a loved one. They vary by state or jurisdiction, and your legal team will make sure your lawsuit is filed before the cutoff.
4. Settlement Negotiation
Your attorney will fight to negotiate a talcum powder lawsuit settlement that covers the cost of your medical care and other expenses. You don’t have to go to court in order to get compensation from a mesothelioma settlement.
If a settlement can’t be reached, your legal team will be prepared to present your case at trial before a judge or jury.
Ready to file a claim? Take the first step by requesting a free case review.
What Manufacturers Are Named in Talc Powder Lawsuits?
The following talcum product manufacturers have been named in talc-related cancer lawsuits.
Avon
Avon is a major manufacturer of talcum-based cosmetics products. Over 100 individual lawsuits had been filed against Avon for asbestos contamination in its talc products.
On July 29, 2024, a Chicago jury ordered Avon to pay $24.4 million to a former janitor with mesothelioma who was exposed to asbestos-contaminated talcum powder at one of its manufacturing facilities.
In 2022, a California jury awarded a 76-year-old woman with mesothelioma $53.3 million, which included $10.3 million in punitive damages.
She had used talcum powder products for decades, not knowing Avon was aware of asbestos contamination but hid the risks from the public.
Colgate-Palmolive
Colgate-Palmolive is the manufacturer of the talcum-based body powder Cashmere Bouquet. This product has been cited in several talc cases, and the company has faced more than 170 talc powder lawsuits to date.
In 2015, Colgate-Palmolive was ordered to pay $13 million to a mesothelioma patient who had used Cashmere Bouquet talcum powder for years.
Imerys Talc America
Imerys Talc America mines and supplies talc to Johnson & Johnson, Avon, and other product manufacturers.
Since 2014, Imerys Talc has been named in more than 16,000 talcum powder lawsuits along with J&J and others.
In 2017, a California jury found the company was responsible for paying over $11.6 million to the family of Richard Booker, who mixed paint products that contained talc for decades before he passed away from mesothelioma.
Johnson & Johnson
As of October 2024, Johnson & Johnson says it’s willing to pay more than $8.2 billion over 25 years to settle asbestos claims related to its talc-based baby powder. However, this settlement offer is still awaiting court approval.
Johnson & Johnson has attempted to file for bankruptcy twice in its home state of New Jersey, but both cases were thrown out. In September 2024, J&J filed its third Chapter 11 bankruptcy in Texas through a subsidiary called Red River Talc LLC.
Due to the many talc lawsuits filed against J&J, the company now uses cornstarch in its baby powder.
Vanderbilt Minerals
Vanderbilt Minerals is a mining company based in New York that also manufactures talc-based products.
In 2018, the company offered a multimillion-dollar settlement to Robert Lord, a former tile worker who developed mesothelioma after handling the company’s talc products. The settlement was reached during jury deliberations in Florida.
Whittaker, Clark & Daniels
Industrial talc supplier Whittaker, Clark & Daniels has been named along with other talcum powder product manufacturers in the ongoing talc litigation.
After a $29 million jury verdict against the company in South Carolina, it filed for bankruptcy in early 2023.
Talcum Powder Lawsuit Settlement & Verdict Amounts
Talcum powder lawsuits have awarded victims and their family members millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts.
Notable talcum powder lawsuit settlements and verdicts include:
- $2.1 billion to 22 women who filed a baby powder lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson for ovarian cancer
- $72.5 million to rubber stamp workers who developed lung cancer after being exposed to asbestos in Emtal’s talc products
- $30 million to the wife of an Illinois worker who got cancer from handling asbestos-contaminated talcum powder at a tire manufacturing plant
- $24.4 million to a Chicago janitor who developed mesothelioma after being exposed to asbestos at an Avon manufacturing facility
- $20 million to the widow of a Rhode Island man who died in 2020 from mesothelioma years after working with asbestos-tainted talc
Get a Free Case Review to find out whether you or a family member may also be owed compensation.
Working With an Attorney for Your Talc Powder Lawsuit
Filing a talcum powder lawsuit requires the experience and expertise of a product liability attorney.
This type of attorney can:
- Build a strong case on your behalf. This will give you a better chance at securing fair compensation for the pain and suffering you’ve endured.
- Investigate your asbestos exposure. Asbestos victims may not remember how or where they were exposed. Product liability attorneys have access to data on hundreds of talcum powder products they can use to uncover your exposure history.
- Identify the correct manufacturers to sue. There are dozens of talc manufacturers, but your lawyer can determine which ones are liable by determining which products contained the asbestos that caused your illness.
- Represent you in court if needed. Most lawsuits settle out of court, but the best lawyer for a talcum powder lawsuit will be able to skillfully argue your case if it ends up going to trial.
Get Help Filing a Talcum Powder Lawsuit
Mesothelioma Hope understands the complex emotions involved in filing a talcum powder lawsuit.
That’s why our trusted legal partners and Patient Advocates are dedicated to supporting you throughout this journey and at every point afterward.
We work with high-performing attorneys and registered nurses who can pinpoint your talc-related asbestos exposure and build a strong case on your behalf.
Reach out to us now at (866) 608-8933 to see how we can help or request your free case review to get started.
Talcum Powder Lawsuits FAQs
Does talcum powder cause mesothelioma?
Yes, in many cases. Talc can get contaminated with asbestos during the mining process since both minerals are commonly found near one another underground.
Even one exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma cancer, including exposure linked to contaminated talcum powder.
Contact our team now if you have mesothelioma and worked with or used talcum powder products in the past. You may qualify for compensation to pay for cancer treatment and other expenses.
How much is a talcum powder lawsuit worth?
Individual compensation from talcum powder lawsuits depends on the factors of each case, but settlements and verdicts can reach tens of millions of dollars.
What is the average payout for a talcum powder lawsuit?
There isn’t a set average payout for talcum powder lawsuits, but asbestos settlements award between $1.1 million and $1.4 million on average, according to Mealey’s Litigation Report: Asbestos.
Has anyone received money from a talcum powder lawsuit?
Yes, many people have already received compensation from talcum powder lawsuits.
In March 2023, a Connecticut jury awarded $20 million to the widow of a mesothelioma victim who worked with glazing and sealant materials made by talc manufacturer Vanderbilt Minerals. The materials were found to be contaminated with asbestos, the only known cause of mesothelioma.
Who qualifies for the talcum powder lawsuit?
Anyone who’s been diagnosed with cancer, including mesothelioma, after using or handling talcum powder may be able to file a lawsuit. Loved ones may also be able to bring a talcum powder lawsuit on their loved one’s behalf if they passed away from their illness.
Our team can determine if you may be owed compensation based on the factors of your case. Call us right now at (866) 608-8933 to share your story.
How many talcum powder lawsuits are there?
As of January 2025, there are over 62,000 product liability lawsuits pending against Johnson & Johnson, which produced and sold baby powder that was contaminated with asbestos.
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