Johnson & Johnson continues to face major courtroom defeats in its talcum powder litigation. In December 2025, a California jury awarded $40 million to two women who developed ovarian cancer after years of using Johnson’s Baby Powder. This verdict – $18 million to Monica Kent and $22 million to Deborah Schultz and her husband – is the latest in a series of setbacks for J&J, reinforcing that juries are holding the company accountable for the harm its talc products have allegedly caused
The trial revealed powerful evidence linking talcum powder use to cancer such as ovarian cancer and mesothelioma. Former FDA Commissioner Dr. David Kessler testified that Johnson & Johnson knew as far back as the 1970s that its talc was contaminated with asbestos, and that its asbestos-tainted talc causes cancer yet concealed this information. In other words, the company was aware of serious health risks but failed to warn consumers. The Schultz jury, like many others, found that this concealment of risk contributed to the victims’ ovarian cancer, which led to the multi-million-dollar award.
Despite many verdicts against it, Johnson & Johnson continues to falsely claim its asbestos-contaminated talc baby powder was safe, yet finally pulled its talc-based baby powder off the market globally in 2023 (replacing it with a cornstarch formula) after years of public outcry and mounting lawsuits.
The scope of the talcum powder litigation is massive. Johnson & Johnson faces over 67,000 talcum powder lawsuits in the United States for individuals who developed ovarian cancer or mesothelioma (a deadly cancer caused by asbestos) due to J&J’s talc products. An additional 3,000 plaintiffs in the UK have filed similar claims. All these cases share a common allegation: J&J’s iconic baby powder was contaminated with asbestos (which undisputably causes cancer) and that pure talc is also carcinogenic, and the company failed to warn consumers despite knowing the danger.
Recent jury verdicts underscore the push for corporate accountability. The $40 million California verdict came on the heels of an even more significant $966 million verdict in October 2025, when another Los Angeles jury found J&J liable in a case involving a woman who died of mesothelioma at age 88, and assessed punitive damages. In that trial, evidence convinced jurors that decades of using Johnson’s Baby Powder –contaminated with asbestos – caused the victim’s cancer. Such huge verdicts send a clear message: juries are prepared to hit companies with massive penalties if they believe a company put profits over safety.
Amid these losses, Johnson & Johnson attempted a controversial legal maneuver to shield itself from facing the full brunt of talc lawsuits. The company tried a Texas “two-step” bankruptcy strategy – creating a subsidiary to absorb talc liabilities and then declaring that entity bankrupt – to freeze lawsuits and force a global settlement. Federal bankruptcy courts twice rejected this tactic, finding that J&J (with its vast assets) could not use bankruptcy laws meant for insolvent companies to evade jury trials. In April 2025, a federal judge denied J&J’s proposed $8.9 billion settlement plan tied to this maneuver, forcing the company back into court to address each case individually. With that plan off the table, J&J must now defend thousands of cases on their merits
Brayton Purcell LLP’s perspective: As a firm that advocates for injured consumers, we view these developments as significant progress toward justice. When a corporation like J&J fails to warn about known dangers – such as asbestos in talc – it must be held accountable. Each verdict for the plaintiffs not only helps to compensate victims but also sends a message to all manufacturers that consumer safety must come first. We have long fought to expose such negligence and product defects, and it is heartening to see juries validate victims’ claims and hold the company to account.
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with ovarian cancer or mesothelioma after using talcum powder products like Johnson’s Baby Powder, you may have legal options. The recent talcum powder lawsuit victories show that courts can deliver justice – and significant compensation – to victims. Taking legal action can help cover medical bills, lost income, pain and emotional distress, and hold negligent companies responsible.
At Brayton Purcell LLP we are dedicated to helping individuals harmed by toxic products like talcum powder. Our attorneys have decades of experience in asbestos litigation and product injury claims. We offer free consultations, and you pay nothing unless we secure compensation for you. Contact us today to discuss your case and learn your rights.
If you or someone you love has been affected by ovarian cancer or mesothelioma and suspect talcum powder, baby powder, foot powder, or powder cosmetics may be the cause, you likely have questions. Below are answers to some of the most common concerns we hear from clients considering legal action.
