Lawyers Prepare for Johnson & Johnson’s Talcum Powder Legal Battles

News Summary

Johnson & Johnson faces a surge in talcum powder lawsuits, with over 58,000 cases filed claiming links to ovarian cancer. The company has rejected multiple settlement offers and is under scrutiny in ongoing litigation while grappling with bankruptcy challenges. The stakes are high as the legal proceedings continue, with many claimants looking for justice against the backdrop of a complex legal landscape.

Johnson & Johnson’s Ongoing Legal Battle: Talcum Powder Lawsuits Surge

The legal landscape surrounding Johnson & Johnson (J&J) and its talcum powder products remains tumultuous as the company has decided against pursuing a lawsuit settlement related to claims that its products caused ovarian cancer. With over 58,208 talcum powder lawsuits filed in New Jersey alone as of April 2025, it’s clear that the stakes are high for both the company and the claimants involved. The majority of these cases have been consolidated into a multidistrict litigation (MDL 2738), creating a massive legal stalemate.

The Billion-Dollar Verdicts

Over the years, J&J has faced significant courtroom losses, with courts awarding billions of dollars to plaintiffs who claimed that the company’s talc products were a contributing factor in their cancer diagnoses. This troubling trend has resulted in mounting pressure on J&J to address the allegations arising from these products.

Failed Settlement Offers

Efforts to settle the lawsuits have not borne fruit as J&J has made three public settlement offers, with the most recent one valued at approximately $8 billion. This settlement was rejected by a judge in March, further complicating J&J’s path to resolving the litigation. Following their initial settlement in 2020, which coincided with the announcement to cease sales of talcum powder products, J&J has seen a continued shift in its strategy.

In August 2022, the company declared its intention to phase out global sales of talcum products by 2023, an effort possibly aimed at mitigating future legal repercussions.

Factors Influencing Settlements

The amount awarded in settlements can vary greatly, influenced by multiple factors such as the extent of damages, medical expenses, lost earning capacity, severity of the disease, and quality of life loss. Notably, cases involving wrongful death often lead to larger settlements. However, these talcum powder lawsuits can take anywhere from two years to several years to resolve, particularly if they are complex and require further litigation.

The COVID-19 pandemic has contributed to delays in many lawsuits, compounding the legal woes for J&J and the plaintiff community.

Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Rejection

In a bid to handle the overwhelming liabilities, J&J attempted to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy to address the claims, but this effort faced strong opposition. The U.S. Trustee program filed a motion to dismiss the company’s bankruptcy application, characterizing it as a “textbook example of bad faith.” Courts have repeatedly rejected J&J’s attempts to utilize bankruptcy proceedings as a means of settling ovarian cancer claims. As a result, J&J has shifted its focus back to litigation, preparing to defend itself against the growing number of cases in court.

Judicial Concerns and Claimant Rights

A bankruptcy judge flagged voting irregularities in J&J’s settlement plan, stating that many claimants did not have their votes or voices properly considered during the confirmation process. This could spell further trouble for J&J as it navigates the murky waters of litigation.

Family members of those who have suffered from ovarian cancer or mesothelioma due to talcum powder usage may be eligible to file claims themselves. It’s crucial for potential claimants to consult with a lawyer early on, as time limits for filing lawsuits may apply, setting a ticking clock on their chances for justice.

J&J’s Assertion and Future Directions

Despite the fallout, J&J maintains that their talc products are free from asbestos and assert that they have not been definitively linked to causing cancer. Yet, it seems the company’s legal battles have only just begun, bolstered by its recent record of winning 16 out of the last 17 trials concerning ovarian cancer claims. With the future of its talcum powder line in question and a strategy focused on defending existing cases, J&J finds itself in a precarious situation, one that is likely to keep both legal teams and families embroiled in ongoing disputes well into the coming years.