Talcum Powder Lawyers

What Are the Talcum Powder Lawsuits About?

Talcum powder lawsuits against Johnson & Johnson date back to 1999, when a woman sued the manufacturer alleging that the use of the company’s talc-based baby powder caused her mesothelioma – a rare cancer that is caused by exposure to asbestos. Another woman sued Johnson & Johnson in 2009, alleging that their talc-based products caused her to develop ovarian cancer. Since then, more than 50,000 people have filed similar lawsuits against Johnson & Johnson after developing ovarian cancer or mesothelioma that they allege was caused by asbestos in the company’s products. 

In February 2016, a jury in St. Louis hit Johnson & Johnson with a $72 million judgment. The jury found that the company was negligent in failing to inform consumers about the dangers of using talcum powder. Johnson & Johnson, the manufacturer of Baby Powder, Shower to Shower, and other talcum-based products, continues to face thousands of lawsuits in which plaintiffs allege they were not warned about the risks of using talcum powder.

Johnson & Johnson has failed twice at their attempts to resolve the talc lawsuits in Bankruptcy Court. In 2021, they created a subsidiary to assume liability for the legal claims involving talc products. This is a legal maneuver referred to as a “Texas Two-Step”. Since the subsidiary is not in financial distress, the bankruptcy filings have thus far been dismissed. 

Is Talc Linked to Cancer?

Use of talcum powder has been linked with ovarian cancer. Some scientists believe that talcum particles can migrate to the ovaries, causing inflammation and increasing the risk of cancer. Not all talc-based products contain cancer-causing asbestos, however, and numerous studies over the years have produced mixed results. 

Several studies that have been conducted over the last 25 years have discovered a link between perennial talc powders and ovarian cancer. Just recently, a study by researchers from the National Institutes of Health that was published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology in May 2024 revealed a positive association between the use of genital talc and ovarian cancer. 

A Reuters investigation in 2018 suggested that Johnson & Johnson may have known about the asbestos contamination and the dangers of its talc-based products as early as the 1970s. The manufacturer, however, claims that asbestos has never been in their products.

Are You Eligible to File a Talcum Powder Lawsuit?

If you routinely used talc-based products near the genital region of your body for a minimum of one year, and you were diagnosed with ovarian cancer or mesothelioma after 2012, you may be eligible to file a talcum powder lawsuit to recover compensation for your losses. Additionally, if your loved one passed away from cancer that was caused by exposure to the asbestos in talc products, you may be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson. 

To find out if you’re eligible to file a lawsuit, contact our talcum powder lawyers today for a free, no-obligation case evaluation. Call  309-393-2928.

What Is the Average Settlement for a Talcum Powder Lawsuit?

There isn’t an average payout for talcum powder lawsuits. Plaintiffs typically win settlements of anywhere between hundreds of thousands and millions of dollars. Notable talc lawsuit settlements include:

• $2.1 Billion awarded to 22 women with ovarian cancer
• $72.5 Million awarded to workers who were exposed to contaminate talc on the job
• $53.3 Million awarded to a mesothelioma victim

There is no guarantee that your talcum powder lawsuit will bring such a substantial payout, or that it will be successful. If you file a lawsuit and win, however, your settlement or jury award will be based on your economic and non-economic losses, like lost wages, medical bills, and pain and suffering.

How to File a Talcum Powder Lawsuit

There are just a few steps you’ll need to take to file a talcum powder lawsuit in Illinois. 

1. Contact our talcum powder attorneys by filling out our form online or calling 309-393-2928 to schedule your free case evaluation. We’ll listen to your story, review the details of your case, and determine whether you are eligible to take legal action. 
2. If your case meets the requirements necessary to file a claim, your legal team will begin preparing the documents for your lawsuit. We will help you gather evidence to prove your case, like medical records, lab reports, and wage verification. 
3. Your talcum powder attorney will file the lawsuit on your behalf, making sure to include all necessary documentation. Since these cases are handled on a contingency basis, you won’t need to pay any attorney fees up front. 
4. Next, your talcum powder lawyer will begin negotiations with the manufacturer and their team of lawyers to help you obtain a settlement that covers all your losses, including your medical bills and lost wages, future medical care, and your pain and suffering. 
5. If negotiations are unsuccessful, your talcum powder attorney will present your case in court and ask the judge and jury to decide. 

Ready to get started with your claim?  Call  309-393-2928.

What Manufacturers Are Named in Talc Powder Lawsuits?

Although Johnson & Johnson has taken center stage in the talcum powder lawsuits, a number of other talcum product manufacturers have been named in similar lawsuits involving talc-related cancers. 

Lawsuits Against Avon

More than 100 talc-related lawsuits have been filed against Avon – a major manufacturer of cosmetic products that contain talc. 

Imerys Talc America 

Imerys Talc, a company that mines and supplies talc to product manufacturers like Avon and Johnson & Johnson, has been named in over 16,000 talcum powder lawsuits since 2014. 

Colgate-Palmolive

Colgate-Palmolive has faced more than 170 lawsuits involving their talc-based body powder Cashmere Bouquet, and the company has been ordered to pay millions of dollars to people who developed asbestos-related cancers after using their products. 

We Have the Resources and Technical Skills Needed to Win Your Talc Lawsuit

​Strong Law Offices has prevailed in numerous mass tort cases like the talcum powder lawsuits. As a successful personal injury law firm, we have the financial resources, technical knowledge, and negotiating skills needed to win against deep-pocketed corporations like Johnson & Johnson. We frequently join forces with other law firms in Multidistrict Litigation when seeking compensation for our clients.

What Is the Statute of Limitations for Talcum Powder Lawsuits?

Generally, injured victims have just two years from the date they discovered their illness to file a talcum powder lawsuit in Illinois. If your loved one died because of contaminated talc, you have two years from the date of his or her death to take legal action. If you wait too long to file a lawsuit, you could be barred from recovering compensation. 

​Free Consultation — Contact Our Talcum Powder Lawyers

Call Strong Law Offices at 309-393-2928 or contact us online to speak with an experienced talcum powder lawyer. We have offices in Peoria, Springfield, Bloomington and Decatur.

When You Have Been Injured, Get Strong — We Are On Your Side