Baby Powder Settlements & Ongoing Talc Litigation

Johnson & Johnson has reportedly set $3.9 billion aside to pay for litigation costs related to an ongoing legal battle involving its iconic baby powder brand. Thousands of lawsuits have been filed on behalf of women diagnosed with ovarian cancer and mesothelioma, with claims that the talcum powder is linked to their cancers. Baby powder settlements have the potential to right some of the wrong some women have suffered, pay for medical costs and lost earnings.

The company pulled talc-based baby powder from some shelves in the United States last year, though still says the product is safe to use. Critics and plaintiffs, however, allege the talc may be contaminated with asbestos, and may have directly caused cancer in thousands of consumers.

J&J says they set aside the legal funds for “talc related reserves and certain settlements.” Legal costs have mounted for the company in recent years, and in 2019 $400 million was held for litigation expenses. One reason the new figure is much higher are the rising number of pending talc cancer cases filed. As of January 3, 2021, Johnson & Johnson has 25,000 baby powder lawsuits pending in the U.S.

The Lyon Firm has been involved in baby powder litigation from the beginning and is reviewing new talc cancer cases nationwide. If you or a loved one has suffered due talcum use in the past, contact an attorney to investigate. Joe Lyon has the experience, the passion and the resources to build the strongest case possible for his clients.

J&J Baby Powder Settlements

In 2018 report published in Reuters suggested Johnson & Johnson was aware that its baby powder products might potentially contain small amounts of asbestos, a known carcinogen. The company denied such reports but in May 2020 they discontinued sales of the controversial talc-based powders. J&J said the demand had fallen, and that was the reason for pulling the product.

But the company also issued a talcum powder recall, and 33,000 bottles were recalled after trace amounts of asbestos were found in a baby powder sample. Walmart, CVS Health, and other retailers pulled the product from their shelves.

In the past, juries have returned huge verdicts for talc cancer plaintiffs. A group of 22 women who alleged baby powder caused their ovarian cancer were awarded hundreds of millions of dollars. Currently, lawsuits have been filed in several states, the majority of which have been organized into a multi-district litigation (MDL). Further baby powder settlements are expected in 2021 and into the future as more women are diagnosed with related cancers.