Talc Lawsuits Involving Asbestos & Mesothelioma

Latest Updates on Asbestos and Mesothelioma Talc Lawsuits

People who have filed lawsuits, known as plaintiffs, have received millions in recent years through talcum powder mesothelioma lawsuits. In 2024, a jury awarded $260 million to a woman in Oregon who developed mesothelioma after using the powder. 

Another man in Connecticut received $15 million for similar claims. Johnson & Johnson, which made some of the world’s most popular talc-based consumer products, denies its powder caused cancer and plans to appeal the verdicts.

Status of Talcum Powder Lawsuits

• April 2025: A judge rejected J&J’s $10 billion plan to settle cancer lawsuits over its talc baby powder, citing unfair voting and legal issues. The company will now fight the cases in regular courts.
• March 2025: A Connecticut jury awarded $15 million to Evan Plotkin, who developed mesothelioma using J&J’s baby powder. The jury said it should pay punitive damages. J&J asked the judge to drop the punitive damages entirely. The judge will rule on the matter at a future hearing.
• September 2024: A Maine man sued J&J for $25 million, claiming the company’s baby powder caused his wife’s cancer and death. He says the powder contained asbestos. The company denies the claim.
• November 2024: An Oregon judge upheld a $260 million jury award to Kyung Lee, who developed mesothelioma after decades of using J&J’s talc-based baby powder. The judge ruled the damages fair, rejecting the company’s request for a new trial.
• August 2024: A Massachusetts judge reduced a $39 million jury award to $23.6 million for Bryce Zundel, who developed mesothelioma after a 2014 medical procedure using medical talc later found to contain asbestos. The judge upheld the jury’s verdict against the talc supplier.

Legal experts say talc filings are increasing rapidly as more people become aware of the dangers of talc-based products such as baby powder and makeup.

Talc Filings by Year

According to KCIC’s latest industry report, Asbestos Litigation: 2024 Year in Review, the number of lawsuit filings in the U.S. rose 17.9% from 2023. These suits claim talc-related asbestos exposure caused mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases. 

There were a total of 751 talc filings. This represents 19% of the total asbestos lawsuit filings in the country last year.

Filing a mesothelioma, lung cancer or other asbestos lawsuit involving contaminated talc can be complicated. However, an experienced lawyer specializing in talc lawsuits can help ensure your case is filed properly and on time. Lawyers with track records of successfully building cases documenting exposure to asbestos-contaminated talc help their clients receive compensation for mesothelioma.

Talc and Asbestos Contamination

In 2024, National Health Institute researchers studied more than 50,000 women. They found a link between using talc for personal care and a higher risk of ovarian cancer. Also in 2024, the International Agency for Research on Cancer noted, “talc (fibrous or not) may be contaminated with asbestos.” It also explained that talc containing asbestos “is currently classified as carcinogenic to humans” and there is “sufficient evidence that asbestos causes mesothelioma and cancers of the lung, larynx, and ovary in humans.”

Talc and asbestos are both minerals, and asbestos naturally occurs in most talc deposits. When people inhale asbestos-contaminated talc dust regularly, toxic asbestos fibers can accumulate in the body. This can cause cancer to develop. 

Before the dangers of asbestos came to public attention in the 1970s, companies using talc weren’t concerned with asbestos contamination. Even after the government began to regulate asbestos, the talc industry was left to police itself. People had to simply trust companies to use asbestos-free talc.

Cancers Linked to Asbestos in Talcum Powder

Talc litigation has primarily involved plaintiffs with malignant mesothelioma or ovarian cancer. People who work in talc mines have also gotten lung cancer, and doctors think asbestos in the talc may be the cause.

Asbestos-Contaminated Talc and Cancer

• Lung cancer: Research has documented excess lung cancer cases in talc miners. They suspect asbestos found in the talc ore led to the cancers.
• Mesothelioma: Asbestos-contaminated talc is known to cause malignant mesothelioma. Asbestos is the primary cause of this type of cancer.
• Ovarian cancer: NIH research shows a link between talc and ovarian cancer. IARC notes asbestos contamination is well known and causes cancer.

Talcum powder, even when pure, can sometimes cause serious health problems. It becomes dangerous when contaminated with asbestos. People who use talcum powder a lot or work around it may be at risk. It’s important to avoid breathing it in.

Who Is Eligible to File an Asbestos Talcum Powder Lawsuit?

You may be able to file an asbestos talcum powder lawsuit if you got sick after using talcum powder contaminated with asbestos. People with mesothelioma, ovarian cancer or lung cancer may qualify. Family members can also file if a loved one passes away from one of these cancers. 

A lawyer with experience in talc lawsuits can tell you if you qualify. They’ll ask questions about your medical history and your talcum powder use. They’ll help you gather medical records, work history and other documents. These things help prove that talc use caused your illness. A skilled lawyer can guide you through every step.

An experienced asbestos lawyer can help ensure your claim is filed before statutes of limitations limit the time you have to file. They can also ensure your lawsuit is filed properly and then help you build a strong case. 

How to File a Mesothelioma Talcum Powder Lawsuit

To start a talcum powder mesothelioma lawsuit, talk to a lawyer who specializes in talc lawsuits. They’ll look at your case, explain your options and help you gather the right evidence. 

Your lawyer will help collect medical records and other papers. This helps prove you used talc and developed cancer. Save any old powder containers if you have them.

Steps for Filing a Talc Lawsuit

• Step 1: Speak with an experienced attorney. 
• Step 2: Gather medical records and product evidence. 
• Step 3: File a claim before the statute of limitations expires with your lawyer’s help. 
• Step 4: Negotiate a settlement or go to trial. 

Your lawyer may talk with the company responsible for your exposure and illness about getting a fair settlement. If the company doesn’t offer enough, you can take your case to court. Your lawyer will prepare everything for trial and manage litigation for you.

Jim Kramer, an experienced mesothelioma lawyer with Simmons Hanly Conroy, tells us, “If you were diagnosed with mesothelioma and you use talcum powder in your life, you may have a case. This is why you need to speak with a mesothelioma attorney.”

What Compensation Can You Receive from a Mesothelioma Talc Lawsuit?

Juries have awarded millions to plaintiffs in mesothelioma talc lawsuits. Most of the time, people receive compensation through a settlement. Your lawyer talks with the company and works to get you a fair amount. 

You can file a personal injury claim if you’re sick. If a loved one passes away from mesothelioma, their family may file a wrongful death claim. A judge or jury may decide the outcome if your case goes to trial. They could award you money through a verdict.

Payouts from settlements or verdicts can help pay for medical care, travel for treatment and compensate for lost wages. A skilled asbestos attorney will fight to help you get the money you and your family need.

Mesothelioma Lawsuits Over Consumer Talcum Powder

Asbestos talcum powder lawsuits are a more recent development. These cases involve manufacturers such as Colgate-Palmolive and J&J. Talc suppliers such as Imerys and Whittaker, Clark & Daniels are also sometimes named in these suits.

In April 2025, J&J’s latest attempt to declare bankruptcy to resolve its talc liabilities was again rejected in the courts. United States Bankruptcy Judge Christopher M. López of the Southern District of Texas denied J&J’s $10 billion baby powder settlement proposal. The plan would have ended more than 60,000 ovarian cancer lawsuits. However, it wouldn’t have affected any remaining mesothelioma lawsuits. J&J claims it has already settled 95% of the mesothelioma lawsuits that have been filed. 

The biggest verdict to date was in June 2021, when the U.S. Supreme Court rejected an appeal from Johnson & Johnson to overturn a $2.12 billion verdict awarded to 22 women. They claimed the company’s talcum powder products caused them to develop asbestos-related ovarian cancer. The verdict was reduced from an initial award of $4.7 billion in 2018.

A single plaintiff received a large award in December 2022. A California jury ordered Avon and a forklift company to pay $52.1 million to Rita-Ann Chapman. Her lawsuit claimed she used talc-based Avon products throughout her life. Chapman claimed exposure to contaminated talc caused her to develop mesothelioma.

UK Talc Lawsuits in U.S. Courts

About 3,500 people in the U.K. are suing Johnson & Johnson in 2025 over contaminated talc. U.K. women have received multimillion-pound awards filing talc lawsuits in U.S. courts. These lawsuits first hit U.S. courts in 2019.

In 2020, a judge ruled U.S. courts are the best venue for U.K. residents’ talc lawsuits. The defendants’ principal place of business location in New York affected the ruling. The plaintiff’s purchase of contaminated products while on vacation in the U.S. also played a role. 

Mesothelioma Lawsuits Over Industrial Talc

Industrial talc litigation involving mesothelioma plaintiffs began in 2012. The claims have primarily involved talc suppliers R.T. Vanderbilt Company Inc. (also known as Vanderbilt Minerals) and Imerys Talc America.

Certain grades of talc have more asbestos than others. Industrial talc can contain as much as 50% to 70% asbestos, which makes it dangerous to inhale and can cause serious health problems.

Common Questions About Talcum Powder Mesothelioma Lawsuits

Can I file a talcum powder lawsuit if I only used baby powder occasionally?

Yes, you can still file a lawsuit even if you only used baby powder once in a while. Some people got sick after light use over many years. A mesothelioma lawyer can look at your case and see if you qualify. It’s always best to ask an experienced attorney.

What is the average settlement for a talcum powder lawsuit?

Settlement amounts can be very different for each talcum powder case. Some people get thousands of dollars, while others get millions. It depends on your illness, medical costs and other facts. Your mesothelioma lawyer will fight for the most money possible.

How long does a talc lawsuit take?

A talc lawsuit can take a few months to a few years. It depends on your case and how the other side responds. Some people get a settlement quickly. Others may wait longer, especially if the case goes to court.

Do I have to go to court to get compensation for talc-related illnesses?

No, many people get money through a settlement and never go to court. Your lawyer will try to settle first. If needed, they will go to court for you.

Are talc lawsuits different for ovarian cancer and mesothelioma?

Yes, they are a little different. While contaminated talc causes both, the type of evidence submitted can vary. Plaintiffs may have different routes of exposure. A qualified asbestos attorney can handle both types of claims.

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