Used J&J Baby Powder and later diagnosed with cancer?
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For decades, Johnson & Johnson sold talcum powder products to millions of people across the country. The company marketed them as safe — for babies, for personal hygiene, for everyday use.
But internal company documents revealed over years of court cases show that J&J knew as far back as the 1970s that its talc supply could be contaminated with asbestos — a substance known to cause cancer.
Women who used talcum powder regularly for personal hygiene have developed ovarian cancer at higher rates. Others who were exposed through work or long-term use developed mesothelioma, a rare and aggressive cancer that attacks the lining of the lungs or abdomen.
Three Tries. Three Failures.
When cancer lawsuits started piling up, J&J did something unusual: it tried to use the bankruptcy system to cut off the cases before they could reach juries.
The strategy worked like this — J&J created a brand-new, separate company specifically to hold the talcum powder lawsuits, then immediately put that new company into bankruptcy. Bankruptcy rules would have frozen all the lawsuits and forced cancer victims to accept a fixed payout from a settlement fund instead of taking J&J to court.
Courts rejected this approach three times. The most recent attempt — through a subsidiary called Red River Talc LLC — was thrown out on March 31, 2025, when a judge found serious problems with how J&J organized the required vote among cancer victims.
After that third defeat, J&J announced it would not appeal and would instead fight the cases in regular court — meaning individual lawsuits will now move forward before juries across the country.
Where Things Stand Today
As of April 2026, more than 90,000 people have filed lawsuits against Johnson & Johnson related to its talcum powder products.
The legal freeze that had blocked thousands of those cases has been lifted. New lawsuits can also now be filed — something that had been blocked during the bankruptcy proceedings.
Juries have already been hearing some cases that were not frozen. In December 2025, a Maryland jury sided with a woman who developed peritoneal mesothelioma after years of talcum powder use and returned a verdict of $1.5 billion.
It takes 2 minutes to find out — and it’s free.
If you used J&J Baby Powder or Shower to Shower and were later diagnosed with ovarian cancer or mesothelioma, tell us what happened. A real person reviews every submission.
Start Free Case Check →Who May Be Affected
You may have grounds to take action if:
- You used Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder or Shower to Shower regularly — for personal hygiene or as part of your work
- You were later diagnosed with ovarian cancer or mesothelioma
- Your diagnosis came after years of use, not necessarily just recently
These cancers can take years to develop after exposure. If your diagnosis happened recently but you used these products for years, the timing may still be relevant.
Why This Moment Matters
The bankruptcy freeze blocked thousands of cases for years. Many people who had already filed — or who could have filed — have been waiting. With the freeze lifted, those cases can move. But every state has a deadline for filing, and that window does not pause while courts sort out procedural fights like this one.
If you think you may have a case, it costs nothing to find out.
Common Questions
What products are involved in these lawsuits?
The lawsuits mainly involve Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder and Shower to Shower talcum powder products, which were sold for decades before J&J discontinued them in 2020.
What cancers are linked to talcum powder?
The most common cancers named in these lawsuits are ovarian cancer and mesothelioma — a cancer affecting the lining of the lungs or abdomen. Both have been associated with long-term talc exposure.
Why did J&J try to use bankruptcy?
J&J used bankruptcy to try to consolidate and cap payouts to cancer victims. Courts rejected this approach three separate times, saying J&J's subsidiaries did not meet the legal requirements to file bankruptcy.
Is there a deadline to file?
Yes. Every state has its own deadline for filing a personal injury case. These deadlines can be as short as one to three years from the date of diagnosis, so it is important not to wait.
Does it cost anything to find out if I qualify?
No. You can fill out the form on this page to get a free case review. There is no cost to check and no obligation.