Talc Powder Cancer Lawsuits in Ohio: The Hidden Danger in Your Daily Routine
For decades, women trusted talc-based products like Johnson & Johnson’s Baby Powder and Shower to Shower as part of their daily routine, unaware that these everyday items could pose serious health risks.
In recent years, new evidence has linked long-term talc use to serious diagnoses like ovarian cancer and mesothelioma. Internal documents show that companies like Johnson & Johnson may have known about the risks for years, yet failed to warn the public.
If you were diagnosed with epithelial ovarian or fallopian tube cancer after January 1, 2024, and used talc powder regularly for at least eight years, you may be eligible to join an ongoing legal battle to hold these companies accountable.
Below, you’ll find:
- The latest science linking talc use to ovarian cancer and mesothelioma
- A breakdown of who qualifies to file a talc powder cancer lawsuit
- Updates on major verdicts and settlements
What’s the Connection Between Talc and Cancer?
Talc is a naturally occurring mineral often mined near asbestos, a known carcinogen. When talc isn’t properly purified, trace amounts of asbestos can contaminate the final product.
Talc and ovarian cancer
Research now shows that when talc powder is used in the genital area, its particles may migrate through the reproductive tract and reach the ovaries, where they can cause inflammation and potentially increase the risk of cancer over time:
- A 2024 NIH study tracking more than 50,000 women found a significant increase in ovarian cancer risk among those who used talc regularly.
- In 2024, the World Health Organization classified talc as “probably carcinogenic.”
- Ongoing investigations continue to uncover the presence of asbestos fibers in cosmetic talc products, even those marketed as safe.
Learn more about the connection between talc powder and ovarian cancer.
Talc and mesothelioma
Cosmetic talc products, especially those used daily in enclosed spaces like bathrooms, can release fine, breathable particles that linger in the air. These particles may carry asbestos fibers deep into the lungs or abdominal lining.
Over time, these fibers can cause chronic inflammation, scarring, and cellular changes — the precursors to mesothelioma.
Common cosmetic talc products linked to mesothelioma claims include:
- Johnson & Johnson’s Baby Powder (especially versions sold before 2020)
- Shower to Shower body powder (formerly owned by J&J)
- Cashmere Bouquet talcum powder by Colgate-Palmolive
- Avon’s body and facial powders
- Old cosmetic powders used for face, body, or deodorant purposes
Learn more about the risks of talc and mesothelioma.
What companies knew
Internal documentation have revealed that manufacturers were aware of potential asbestos contamination in talc products as early as the 1970s.
Yet, despite these internal records that revealed that routine internal testing sometimes detected trace levels of asbestos in talc products, manufacturers did not include warnings on packaging or conduct large-scale safety studies addressing long-term use.
Do You Qualify for the Talc Powder Lawsuit?
Not everyone who used talc-based products is eligible to file. To qualify, you must have:
- Used Johnson’s Baby Powder or Shower to Shower containing talc for at least eight consecutive years as part of their feminine hygiene routine (ideally daily or several times per week)
- Been diagnosed with a qualifying cancer on or after January 1, 2024
Qualifying diagnoses include:
- Serous ovarian cancer
- Mucinous ovarian cancer
- Endometrioid ovarian cancer
- Borderline ovarian cancer
- Clear cell ovarian cancer
- Undifferentiated ovarian cancer
- Fallopian tube cancer
Cancers that do not qualify include:
- Germ cell ovarian cancer
- Small cell ovarian cancer
- Stromal/sex cord ovarian cancer
- Uterine, cervical, or endometrial cancer
- Other vaginal cancers not listed above
If the case involves a loved one who has passed away, the claim must be brought by a surviving spouse, child, or parent, not by siblings or extended family.
The Current State of Talc Powder Cancer Lawsuits in 2025
Talc powder litigation is one of the largest and most closely watched mass torts in the country. As of mid-2025, more than 60,000 lawsuits have been filed against Johnson & Johnson and other manufacturers.
Here’s where things stand now:
- Thousands of cases are consolidated in federal court: The vast majority of talc lawsuits are part of Multidistrict Litigation (MDL 2738), centralized in the U.S. District Court for New Jersey. This structure allows courts to handle pretrial issues more efficiently while individual cases move toward trial or settlement.
- Recent jury verdicts signal growing momentum: In 2025 alone, juries awarded multimillion-dollar verdicts in several talc cases, including a $3 million award to a mesothelioma victim’s family and an $8 million award in a Florida case.
- Settlement talks are ongoing, but not guaranteed: Johnson & Johnson previously proposed a $9 billion settlement through a subsidiary’s bankruptcy filing. That plan was rejected in federal court, and litigation has resumed in civil court. As a result, plaintiffs now have a renewed opportunity to pursue individual claims or join future settlement discussions.
Together, these developments point to a major moment for individuals considering legal action. With active litigation and bellwether trials underway, individuals who meet the criteria may still be eligible to file.
However, Ohio’s statute of limitations for personal injury is typically two years from diagnosis, making timely legal action essential. Acting now may help ensure your claim is heard before deadlines pass or new legal developments shift the landscape again. Call 330-762-0700 or fill out our form to get started.
What does this mean for you?
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with ovarian or fallopian tube cancer after using talc-based products, now may be one of the most important times to explore your legal options.
With courts rejecting Johnson & Johnson’s bankruptcy settlement and allowing cases to proceed individually, plaintiffs once again have a chance to:
- File new claims while eligibility remains open.
- Join active litigation and benefit from shared evidence and expert testimony.
- Pursue compensation for medical costs, pain and suffering, and other damages.
Mass tort litigation is complex, but the current momentum puts individuals in a stronger position than in previous years. Instead of grouping everyone into one lawsuit like class action, a mass tort allows each person to file an individual claim while still benefiting from shared resources, expert witnesses, and coordinated legal strategies.
This approach helps level the playing field against large corporations like Johnson & Johnson, without requiring individuals to take on the burden of litigation themselves.
What compensation can families seek in a talc powder lawsuit?
A cancer diagnosis brings emotional, physical, and financial strain, especially when it may have been caused by a product once trusted to be safe. Talc powder lawsuits aim to hold manufacturers accountable and help individuals and families recover the costs of that harm.
Depending on the details of your case, compensation may include:
- Medical expenses: This includes surgeries such as hysterectomy or oophorectomy, chemotherapy, radiation, fertility preservation procedures, and follow-up scans or specialist care.
- Future medical care: Many survivors of cancer require long-term monitoring for recurrence, management of treatment-related side effects, and supportive therapies. Compensation may account for these ongoing costs.
- Lost income: A cancer diagnosis can interrupt careers or force early retirement. Claims may include income lost during treatment or the long-term financial impact of reduced earning ability.
- Pain and suffering: Courts may award damages for physical pain, emotional distress, and the loss of day-to-day functioning or reproductive health resulting from cancer and its treatment.
- Wrongful death damages: If talc-related cancer led to the death of a loved one, certain surviving family members may seek compensation for funeral expenses, medical bills, and the loss of care and companionship.
That said, every case is different. Compensation will depend on factors like your diagnosis, how long you used talc products, the strength of medical evidence, and the outcomes of ongoing litigation. Our experienced mass tort attorneys will work with you to evaluate your case and pursue the maximum compensation possible.
Join the Fight Against Talc Powder
For years, talc powders were marketed as safe and gentle, but for many women, that trust came at a cost. If you or a loved one developed ovarian or fallopian tube cancer after regular use of Johnson’s Baby Powder or Shower to Shower, you may be eligible for compensation.
With thousands of cases already moving through the courts and Johnson & Johnson facing renewed pressure to settle, now is the time to act. Ohio’s statute of limitations generally gives individuals just two years from diagnosis to file a claim, and missing that deadline could mean losing your legal rights entirely.
At Slater & Zurz, we’ve helped thousands of Ohio families take on large corporations and recover what they’re owed. We’ll review your case at no cost, explain your legal options, and guide you through the process from start to finish. The best part? Pay nothing unless we win.
Call us today at 330-762-0700 or fill out our form above for a free case evaluation.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How do I know if my cancer is related to talc powder use?
- Talc powder cancer claims typically involve a diagnosis of epithelial ovarian or fallopian tube cancer after years of regular perineal (genital) use of talc-based powders like Johnson & Johnson’s Baby Powder or Shower to Shower. If you’ve used these products for at least eight consecutive years and were diagnosed on or after January 1, 2024, you may qualify. Our attorneys can help review your history and medical records to determine if you have a valid claim.
- What products are involved in these lawsuits?
- Most claims focus on Johnson & Johnson’s Baby Powder and Shower to Shower products that contained talc. These products are commonly used for feminine hygiene and are at the center of ongoing litigation involving potential asbestos contamination and failure to warn.
- Do I have to prove that asbestos caused my cancer?
- Not directly. You typically need to show that they used a talc product regularly over time and later developed a qualifying cancer. While asbestos exposure is a core issue in many cases, courts have accepted scientific evidence that talc particles alone may contribute to cancer risk, particularly with long-term perineal use.
- What if my loved one passed away from ovarian cancer?
- Wrongful death claims may be available to surviving spouses, children, or parents of someone who would have otherwise qualified. Unfortunately, siblings or other next of kin generally cannot file a claim unless they are legal representatives of the estate. Speak with an attorney to find out what’s possible in your situation.
- How long do I have to file a claim?
- The statute of limitations for personal injury cases, including talc-related cancer, is two years from the date of diagnosis in Ohio. If you’re filing on behalf of a deceased loved one, the timeline may differ. The sooner you reach out, the sooner we can start gathering the evidence needed to support your case — call us at 330-762-0700.
- Will my case be part of a class action?
- No. Talc powder lawsuits are being handled as a mass tort, not a class action. That means you would file your own individual claim, but benefit from shared evidence, expert testimony, and legal strategy across similar cases without giving up control of your specific outcome. Learn more about the difference.
- Do I have to pay upfront to hire a lawyer?
- No. At Slater & Zurz, we work on a contingency fee basis, which means you don’t pay anything unless we win your case. Your consultation is free, and there are no out-of-pocket costs to get started.