Talcum powder is made from talc, a naturally occurring mineral prized for its softness and moisture-absorbing properties. Because talc deposits often exist alongside asbestos in nature, cross-contamination during mining can introduce this known carcinogen into consumer products.
Today, people who used talcum powder for personal hygiene are filing lawsuits against manufacturers, namely Johnson & Johnson. These claims allege that decades of exposure contributed to their ovarian cancer and mesothelioma diagnoses—and that companies knew about these risks but failed to warn consumers.
The History of Talcum Powder in the United States
When Johnson & Johnson introduced its Baby Powder in 1894, it quickly became a household essential. The simple formula of talcum powder and fragrance proved remarkably effective at preventing diaper rash while controlling moisture and odor. In the 1960s, Johnson & Johnson expanded its reach to adult consumers with Shower to Shower, another talc-based powder marketed to women for personal hygiene.
Johnson & Johnson’s marketing campaigns have positioned their talc-based products as completely safe, and neither consumers nor healthcare professionals questioned this assumption. However, the tide began to turn as research emerged linking talcum powder use to serious health concerns.
Studies have found that women who regularly applied talcum powder to their genital area faced an increased risk of developing ovarian cancer. Talc exposure has also been linked to the development of mesothelioma, an aggressive cancer that develops in the lining of the lungs as well as the heart and abdomen.
Notable Lawsuits Involving Talcum Powder
Berg v. Johnson & Johnson
In 2009, Deane Berg made history as the first woman to sue Johnson & Johnson after being diagnosed with ovarian cancer following years of talcum powder use. Her case was tried in the South Dakota Federal District Court.
During the proceedings, Johnson & Johnson offered Berg $1.3 million to settle out of court, but there was a catch: she would need to sign a confidentiality clause preventing her from discussing the case publicly. Berg refused. She believed strongly that other women deserved to know about the potential connection between talcum powder and ovarian cancer. While the jury ultimately found in Berg’s favor, they did not award monetary damages. Nevertheless, her courage in pursuing the case and rejecting a settlement opened the door for future plaintiffs.
Fox v. Johnson & Johnson
In 2016, a St. Louis jury found Johnson & Johnson liable for the death of Jacqueline Fox and awarded her family $72 million in damages. Fox had used Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder for feminine hygiene for more than 35 years before developing ovarian cancer. Sadly, she passed away just before her trial began at the age of 62, never witnessing the jury’s decision in her favor.
Ristesund v. Johnson & Johnson
Gloria Ristesund’s 2016 lawsuit resulted in a $55 million jury award after a St. Louis jury found Johnson & Johnson liable for contributing to her ovarian cancer diagnosis. Ristesund had used both Johnson & Johnson baby powder and Shower to Shower for feminine hygiene purposes for more than four decades.
Echeverria v. Johnson & Johnson
In 2017, a Los Angeles jury awarded Eva Echeverria $417 million after finding Johnson & Johnson liable for failing to warn consumers about the connection between its talcum powders and ovarian cancer. Echeverria began using Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder when she was just eleven years old. She received her ovarian cancer diagnosis in 2007 and spent years enduring multiple surgeries and rounds of chemotherapy. She passed away from the disease in 2018.
Ingham et. al. v. Johnson & Johnson
In 2018, a jury ordered Johnson & Johnson to pay $4.14 billion in punitive damages and $550 million in compensatory damages to 22 women who claimed they developed ovarian cancer due to asbestos-contaminated Baby Powder. The trial introduced evidence that made clear that the company had known about potential contamination risks for decades but chose not to inform the public. Internal company memos dating back to 1971 revealed that executives had expressed concerns about possible asbestos contamination but continued to sell the product anyway.
Leavitt v. Johnson & Johnson
A California jury awarded Teresa Leavitt and her husband $29 million in compensatory damages after determining that Johnson & Johnson’s cosmetic talc products caused her mesothelioma.
Leavitt testified that Baby Powder had been applied to her as an infant and that she continued using the product on her face and body almost daily for over thirty years. She received her mesothelioma diagnosis in 2017.
The jury found Johnson & Johnson liable for negligence, defective design, failure to warn, and concealing a dangerous product. When Johnson & Johnson moved to overturn the verdict, the California Court of Appeal affirmed the decision in August 2021.
Joy Moore, et al. v. Avon Products Inc.
Mae Moore’s three adult daughters filed a lawsuit in 2021 after their mother was diagnosed with mesothelioma in 2020 and passed away in 2021 at age 88. The family alleged that exposure to asbestos in consumer talc products caused her illness.
The case proceeded to trial against Johnson & Johnson, and the jury delivered a $966 million verdict. This included $16 million in non-economic damages, plus $950 million in punitive damages after the jury found evidence that company officers had acted with malice, oppression, or fraud. Other defendants named in the claim, including Avon, Chanel, Colgate-Palmolive, and Revlon, were found not liable.
Are You Eligible for a Talcum Powder Lawsuit?
Juries across the country are willing to hold talcum powder manufacturers accountable when evidence shows they knew about the dangers but failed to protect consumers. Legal action is necessary to secure compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering while sending a clear message that corporate negligence has consequences.
You may be eligible to file a talcum powder lawsuit if you’ve been diagnosed with ovarian cancer or mesothelioma after using talcum powder products. After your diagnosis, speak with a talcum powder lawsuit attorney to evaluate the strength of your case, determine which companies may be liable, and file your claim before the statute of limitations expires.
Trust Shapiro Legal Group, PLLC to Protect Your Rights
In the lawsuits described above, the plaintiffs demonstrated immense courage in taking action against major corporations with aggressive legal teams. If ovarian cancer or mesothelioma has affected you or someone you love after years of talcum powder use, Shapiro Legal Group, PLLC can help you hold these companies accountable and secure the compensation you need to move forward. Contact us at (800) 220-0984 for a free, confidential case review.