Talcum Powder Lawsuit Updates and Verdict Highlights
Lawsuits against companies that sold asbestos-contaminated talcum powder continue to make headlines. People diagnosed with mesothelioma and related illnesses have received millions in jury awards and settlements in recent years.
Below are several notable verdicts and settlements in talcum powder lawsuits:
- July 2025: A Massachusetts jury ordered Johnson & Johnson (J&J) to pay over $42 million to a man with mesothelioma. He had used the company’s talc products for decades.
- June 2025: A Boston jury awarded $8 million to an 84-year-old woman who developed mesothelioma after years of using talcum powder.
- October 2024: An Illinois judge upheld a $45 million verdict against J&J in the mesothelioma death of a mother of six. The court denied J&J’s request for a new trial.
- July 2024: A Chicago jury awarded $24.4 million to a former Avon janitor and his family. He developed mesothelioma after working at an Avon facility with contaminated talc in the 1980s.
- March 2024: A Connecticut jury awarded $15 million to the family of an 81-year-old man who died from mesothelioma. He had been exposed to asbestos in talc used in plastic manufacturing decades ago. An additional $7.5 million in punitive damages was also awarded in that verdict.
- February 2024: A South Carolina jury awarded $29.1 million to a woman who developed mesothelioma after using cosmetic talc. The jury found Whittaker, Clark & Daniels responsible. Mary Kay® and Color Techniques settled before the verdict.
- July 2023: A California jury awarded $18.8 million to a 24-year-old man who developed mesothelioma. He said he had used J&J’s baby powder since childhood.
- March 2023: BASF, the world’s largest chemical maker, agreed to a $72.5 million settlement over claims it hid asbestos contamination in its talc products. With legal fees and related expenses, the settlement’s total value is close to $100 million.
- December 2022: An Arizona woman diagnosed with mesothelioma was awarded $52.1 million in a verdict against Avon. The 76-year-old woman said she used Avon’s talc products most of her life.
- November 2020: A New York judge upheld a jury’s ruling that J&J’s baby powder caused a woman’s cancer, finalizing a $120 million award.
As legal pressure builds, new verdicts and settlements are expected.
Talc Lawsuit Filings
Asbestos-related lawsuits have increased in U.S. courts in recent years. A growing number involve talc exposure. Many claims say asbestos-contaminated talc caused mesothelioma or other serious illnesses. Filings against J&J show this trend.
Resources for Mesothelioma Patients
Talc and Asbestos Contamination
Talc is a soft mineral used in many everyday goods and industrial products. Some examples include baby powder, ceramics, cosmetics and lab equipment. The safety of asbestos-free talc is still uncertain. Studies show mixed results. Experts agree that talc with asbestos can cause cancer, but the risks of asbestos-free talc are less clear.
Because talc deposits are often close to asbestos deposits, contamination can occur. Asbestos is a known carcinogen. Even tiny fibers can enter the body when they are inhaled or absorbed through the skin. Exposure to asbestos-contaminated talc has been linked to serious diseases, including mesothelioma.
Does Talc Cause Cancer?
Talc that contains asbestos is generally accepted as being able to cause cancer if it is inhaled. These cancers include mesothelioma, ovarian cancer and lung cancer. Lawsuits often involve people with confirmed asbestos exposure who were later diagnosed.
Other illnesses may also be linked to talc use, such as peritoneal carcinomatosis and fallopian tube cancer. Risk may vary depending on the nature and length of exposure.
U.S. Regulations for Talcum Powder Safety
Concerns about talc date back to the 1960s, when studies suggested links to ovarian cancer and asbestos contamination. In recent years, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has urged companies to test talc products and avoid sources near asbestos deposits.
In 2023, the FDA tested talc-based cosmetics and found safety issues in several products. This included items sold to children and women of color. In 2024, the agency proposed a rule requiring companies to test talc products for asbestos and keep records to prove compliance. This proposal is part of the Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act (MoCRA).
The law also added new requirements, such as:
- Following updated labeling rules and providing proof of safety
- Registering manufacturing facilities and listing products with the FDA
- Reporting serious adverse events linked to cosmetic products
In 2025, the FDA brought together an international panel to review talc safety. The panel found that long-term exposure to asbestos-contaminated talc may raise the risk of cancer. They recommended safer product alternatives and stronger oversight.
Who Can Qualify for a Talcum Powder Lawsuit?
You may qualify to file a lawsuit if you developed mesothelioma, ovarian cancer or another illness after using talc products contaminated with asbestos. You may also be eligible if a loved one died from one of these cancers after being exposed.
Lawyers review talcum powder lawsuit eligibility based on medical records, product use and work history. An experienced attorney can gather documents, build your case and submit filings within the legal deadlines.
Filing deadlines vary by state and case type (personal injury versus wrongful death cases). A lawyer can explain which deadlines apply to you and make sure your lawsuit is submitted on time.
How to File a Talcum Powder Lawsuit
A qualified law firm can handle the legal process for you. If you’re considering filing a talc lawsuit, here’s what you can expect:
- Get a free case review. A lawyer can review your situation and explain your options before you make the official decision to begin working with them.
- Your legal team builds your case. Your lawyer can collect medical records, product and exposure details and other evidence to support your lawsuit.
- They file your lawsuit and manage everything else. Your legal team can file your lawsuit before the deadline and work to obtain an optimal settlement or represent you in court if the case needs to go to trial.
Throughout the process, your legal team can keep you updated and answer any questions you may have. If your case succeeds, you may receive compensation for medical expenses, lost income and other related costs.
Notable Companies Facing Asbestos-Related Talc Lawsuits
In the past decade, companies like Johnson & Johnson (J&J), Imerys Talc America (Imerys) and Avon have faced tens of thousands of lawsuits from cancer patients. These cases involve talc products that allegedly contained asbestos.
Internal documents show that some companies, including J&J, may have known about asbestos risks as early as the 1950s. But the public did not learn about these dangers until more recently. This delay has played a role in the recent rise in legal action. Case results include both private settlements and jury awards.
Johnson & Johnson
As of July 2025, more than 63,000 lawsuits were pending in the United States against J&J over its talc-based products. Many of these lawsuits claim the company’s products contained asbestos, leading to illnesses like mesothelioma and ovarian cancer.
Some cases cite internal records showing J&J may have known about asbestos risks as early as the 1950s. Lab tests in the 1970s found asbestos in the company’s baby powder, but the results were not reported to the FDA.
Several major lawsuits have drawn national attention to J&J. In one case, a South Carolina jury awarded $63.8 million to a 53-year-old man with mesothelioma. He said daily use of J&J baby powder caused his illness.
The company has faced growing legal pressure in recent years. To manage the lawsuits, J&J attempted to settle through bankruptcy court. In April 2025, a judge rejected the company’s $9 billion settlement proposal, marking its third failed attempt. J&J has since announced it will stop pursuing bankruptcy as a solution.
Imerys
Imerys supplied talc to major brands like J&J and Avon for decades. The company has faced thousands of lawsuits from people who say its talc contained asbestos. Imerys has been named as a co-defendant in multiple lawsuits alongside J&J.
Those affected claim Imerys failed to ensure its talc was free from contamination. Independent lab tests and internal company records suggest that some of its talc did contain asbestos. This contaminated talc ended up in consumer products.
In 2019, Imerys filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy to manage mounting legal costs. It sold most of its North American talc assets in 2020 and began working on a plan to resolve current and future claims.
By early 2025, Imerys had enough support to move forward with its reorganization plan with its parent company, Cyprus Mines Corporation. A revised plan was expected by late May, with hearings to resume once those issues were resolved.
Avon
Avon faces lawsuits from people who say its talc-based beauty products contained asbestos. Internal documents and product tests suggest the company knew the products were unsafe. Plaintiffs also say Avon failed to test the powders properly or warn users of the risks. Avon has spent more than $225 million defending and settling talc lawsuits.
One high-profile case in 2022 involved a California jury awarding more than $50 million to a woman with mesothelioma. She had used Avon’s talc-based powders for decades, beginning at age 8. Her legal team argued the products were contaminated with asbestos and caused her illness.
In August 2024, Avon filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy to manage rising talc-related claims. At the time of the filing, Avon Products Inc. (API) faced around 200 talc-related lawsuits. Litigation is now paused as bankruptcy proceedings continue. Other U.S. subsidiaries filed for bankruptcy in October 2024.
Barretts Minerals
Barretts Minerals Inc. (BMI Oldco Inc., BMI) was a major talc supplier until 2023. The company controlled about 2.5 million tons of high-quality talc, selling it directly to manufacturers and through distributors. Its talc was used in more than 300 products.
BMI operated as part of Pfizer until 1992, when it became a subsidiary of a separate company called Mineral Technologies Inc. The company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in October 2023 to deal with growing asbestos lawsuits. The cases claim that BMI’s talc caused serious illnesses, including mesothelioma.
Court documents show that BMI faces more than 880 lawsuits from those exposed to asbestos from its talc products. In April 2025, the company proposed setting up an asbestos trust fund to manage current and future claims.
Other Companies Named in Talc Asbestos Lawsuits
Several other companies made talc products that may have been contaminated with asbestos. These products put both workers and consumers at risk.
Filing a Talc Claim Through an Asbestos Trust Fund
At this time, no asbestos trust funds have been created for talcum powder claims. But several major companies have filed for bankruptcy due to ongoing asbestos litigation. Trust funds may be created in the future to compensate eligible individuals.
The following talc companies have filed for bankruptcy:
- Johnson & Johnson*: 2024, 2023, 2021
- Avon Products Inc.: 2024
- Barretts Minerals: 2023
- Imerys: 2019
*Note: Johnson & Johnson’s bankruptcy filings have been dismissed. No trust fund has been approved.
If a court establishes an asbestos trust for any of these or other talc companies, eligible individuals may be able to file a claim with the trust. A lawyer can help explain your options and monitor updates as they become available.
Common Questions About Talc and Talc Lawsuits
- Has anyone received money from a talcum powder lawsuit?
Courts have awarded millions of dollars in verdicts and settlements over asbestos-contaminated talc. In one well-known Missouri case, J&J was ordered to pay $4.7 billion to 22 women who developed ovarian cancer after using its talc products.
- What is the average settlement for a talcum powder lawsuit?
Talc lawsuit settlement amounts vary by case. Successful lawsuits have resulted in compensation ranging from hundreds of thousands to tens of millions of dollars. Various factors impact the award, including the type of cancer, medical costs and lost income. A lawyer can estimate potential compensation based on your unique situation.
- Can I join a class action lawsuit against a talc company?
Depending on your case, you may be able to join a class action suit against a talc company. Class actions are specific ways of organizing lawsuits that may or may not be in line with the goals of mesothelioma patients. You can speak to a lawyer about the best strategy for your individual case.
- How can I learn about the latest news on asbestos talcum powder lawsuits?
Stay up to date on the latest asbestos talcum powder lawsuit news by visiting the Mesothelioma.com blog, where you’ll find regular reporting on legal updates, verdicts and settlements related to asbestos talc litigation.
