Published
November 24, 2025
Updated
July 2, 2026
If you used talcum powder and were later diagnosed with ovarian or another gynecologic cancer, a free case review can tell you whether attorneys are evaluating claims like yours.
Have You Used Johnson & Johnson Talcum Powder?
If you or a loved one used Johnson & Johnson talcum powder products for feminine hygiene or personal care and were later diagnosed with ovarian cancer or another gynecologic cancer, attorneys may review your potential individual injury lawsuit. Many cases involve women who underwent surgeries such as hysterectomy or oophorectomy after years of using Johnson & Johnson or other talc-based powders.One thing to understand up front: this is active litigation, not a settlement. There is no approved nationwide class action settlement and no public settlement claim form for talcum powder claims right now. What is available is a free case review — a short, no-obligation screening to see whether your diagnosis, talc use history, and records may fit the criteria attorneys currently use when evaluating potential talcum powder cases.
Submitting information does not guarantee representation, compensation, or participation in any lawsuit or settlement — a review simply checks whether your diagnosis, talc use history, and records may fit current attorney screening criteria.
Status
Active Litigation · Free Case Review
Individual injury lawsuits — not an approved class action settlement
Case Review
Free · No Obligation
A short intake checks your diagnosis & talc history against attorney criteria
Pending MDL Actions
68,029
MDL 2738 (D.N.J.) · JPML report, June 1, 2026 · 70,712 total historical actions
Who May Qualify
Ovarian / Gynecologic Cancer
Regular talc use that began before a qualifying diagnosis
Latest MDL Update
The federal Johnson & Johnson talcum powder litigation remains active in the District of New Jersey as MDL No. 2738, In re: Johnson & Johnson Talcum Powder Products Marketing, Sales Practices and Products Liability Litigation. The court lists Master Docket 3:16-md-02738 before U.S. District Judge Michael A. Shipp and U.S. Magistrate Judge Rukhsanah L. Singh. The JPML's June 1, 2026 report lists 68,029 actions pending and 70,712 total historical actions in the MDL.This does not mean there is a public settlement claim form. It means the litigation remains active, and potential cases may still be reviewed through attorney intake.
Recent developments in and around the MDL include:
· A federal bankruptcy judge rejected Johnson & Johnson's proposed roughly $10 billion bankruptcy settlement of talc claims in April 2025, and J&J said it would return to the tort system to litigate the claims rather than pursue the bankruptcy path.
· The MDL court is working through expert admissibility issues under Federal Rule of Evidence 702 and the Daubert standard, including a January 20, 2026 Special Master report and recommendation on pending expert motions.
· The court has also addressed plaintiffs' counsel leadership and disqualification issues involving the Beasley Allen firm, including a May 26, 2026 order denying Beasley Allen's motion to stay its disqualification.
· On December 22, 2025, a Baltimore City jury returned a verdict of roughly $1.56 billion — about $60 million in compensatory damages plus $1.5 billion in punitive damages — for a Maryland woman who alleged asbestos-contaminated talc caused her peritoneal mesothelioma. Johnson & Johnson called the verdict "egregious" and said it would immediately appeal, so no money changes hands unless the verdict survives appeal.
· Individual talc cases continue to be tried; in early June 2026, a jury found for J&J in a case brought by three women who alleged talc caused their cancers. Trial outcomes have gone both ways over the years, which is part of why case-by-case attorney review matters.
· Court-ordered mediation continues in the MDL under a court-appointed mediator, but no global settlement has been reached, and J&J has publicly said it intends to keep litigating the claims case by case.
Active Litigation Is Not a Settlement Claim Form
A multidistrict litigation, or MDL, consolidates many similar individual lawsuits in one federal court for pretrial proceedings — evidence rulings, expert challenges, and bellwether trials. It is not a class action settlement, and being part of the affected group does not mean you can fill out a claim form and wait for a check.In the talc litigation specifically, there is currently no approved nationwide settlement, no settlement administrator, and no public claim portal. Anyone who tells you otherwise — or asks you to pay a fee to "register your talc claim" — should be treated with caution. The only path right now is an individual lawsuit, which starts with an attorney reviewing whether your facts fit current screening criteria. For background on the underlying health allegations, see our earlier talcum powder feminine hygiene investigation, and for other active MDLs see our mass tort lawsuits page.
Who Might Qualify for a Lawsuit Review?
A free talcum powder case review usually focuses on three main pieces of information:· A qualifying cancer diagnosis
· A history of regular talcum powder use, often in the genital area
· Evidence that talc use started before the diagnosis
Examples of diagnoses attorneys may review include:
· Ovarian cancer (including epithelial and endometrioid ovarian cancer)
· Fallopian tube cancer
· Primary peritoneal cancer
· Other serious epithelial gynecologic cancers
· Mesothelioma allegedly linked to asbestos-contaminated talc
Many people in these cases report long-term use of branded baby powder or body powder products from Johnson & Johnson, Colgate-Palmolive, talc suppliers such as Imerys, or store-brand talcum powders.
What the Free Case Review Means — and What It Doesn't
A free case review means your information may be checked against the screening criteria attorneys currently use for talc cases: diagnosis type, age at diagnosis, length and manner of talc use, and what records exist. It is a first conversation, not a legal filing.Completing an intake review does not mean you have filed a lawsuit, joined a settlement, retained a lawyer, or preserved any legal deadline. Until you sign a representation agreement with a law firm and that firm takes action on your behalf, no statute of limitations has been stopped.
How the Free Case Review Works
· Fill out a short intake form: answer basic questions about your talc use, diagnosis, and surgeries.· Speak with an intake team or attorney: a legal team reviews your information and, if your facts fit, matches you with a lawyer who handles talcum powder cases.
· Gather supporting evidence: if a firm takes your case, it helps collect medical records, pathology reports, surgical records, and product use history.
· A lawsuit may be filed: depending on your situation, your case may be filed as an individual lawsuit in state court or become part of the federal MDL.
· Resolution: individual talc cases may resolve by negotiated settlement or proceed toward trial; outcomes vary widely and nothing is guaranteed.
What Documentation Helps
Strong documentation makes it easier for attorneys to evaluate a potential talcum powder case. Helpful records include:· Medical records confirming the cancer diagnosis and treatment
· Pathology and surgical reports, including hysterectomy or oophorectomy records
· Notes from gynecologists, oncologists, and primary care providers
· Receipts, product packaging, or photos showing the brands of talcum powder used
· Personal notes about how long and how often talc products were used
· Statements from family members or others who can confirm product use
Talcum Powder, Asbestos, and Cancer Risk
Talc is a soft mineral used for decades in cosmetic and personal care products such as baby powder and body powder. In nature, talc deposits can occur near asbestos, a known carcinogen, and lawsuits allege that inadequately processed talc was contaminated with asbestos fibers.Plaintiffs claim that long-term use of talcum powder in the genital area allows particles to travel through the reproductive system and irritate tissue over time, increasing the risk of ovarian and related cancers. In mesothelioma cases, plaintiffs allege asbestos-contaminated talc contributed to cancer in the lining of the lungs or abdomen.
Scientific studies have reached different conclusions about talc and cancer risk, and the MDL court is actively litigating which expert opinions are admissible under Rule 702 and Daubert. Some juries have returned large verdicts for plaintiffs — including the December 2025 Baltimore verdict of roughly $1.56 billion, which J&J is appealing — while others, including a June 2026 jury, have found for Johnson & Johnson. These are allegations and contested claims, and every case turns on its own facts.
What Happened to the J&J Bankruptcy Settlement?
Johnson & Johnson tried several times to resolve the talc litigation through a subsidiary's bankruptcy, most recently a proposed plan valued at roughly $10 billion. In April 2025, a federal bankruptcy judge in Houston rejected that plan, and J&J announced it would not appeal and would instead return to the tort system to litigate the talc claims case by case.For consumers, the practical takeaway is that there is no bankruptcy claims trust accepting talc claims and no settlement fund with a claim form. Compensation, if any, comes through individual lawsuits — which is why a free attorney case review is the current path.
Deadlines and Statutes of Limitations
There is no single nationwide deadline for talcum powder lawsuits. Each state has its own statutes of limitations and repose, which may limit how long you have to file after a diagnosis or after discovering that talc could be linked to your cancer. A lawyer can review your medical and residence history and explain which deadlines apply, and whether any exceptions or tolling rules might extend the window.Submitting an intake form does not file a lawsuit or stop any legal deadline. If time may be an issue, contact a qualified attorney directly.
Health and Safety Note
This page provides legal information, not medical advice. For health questions about talc and cancer risk, speak directly with your doctor or specialist. If you currently use powder or cosmetic products, follow product labels and talk with a healthcare provider if you have concerns about ingredients or long-term use.Frequently Asked Questions About Talcum Powder Lawsuits
Is there a talcum powder settlement claim form?
No. Based on current public sources, there is no approved nationwide class action settlement and no public settlement claim form for the Johnson & Johnson talcum powder litigation. People who believe they may have a case can still complete a free case review to see whether attorneys are reviewing individual injury claims like theirs.
What is a free talcum powder case review?
A free case review is a short, no-obligation intake that checks your diagnosis, talc use history, and available records against the criteria attorneys currently use to evaluate talcum powder cases. It does not mean you have filed a lawsuit, joined a settlement, retained a lawyer, or preserved any legal deadline.
Is the talcum powder lawsuit still active?
Yes. The federal multidistrict litigation, MDL No. 2738, remains active in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey. The Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation reported 68,029 actions pending in MDL 2738 as of June 1, 2026, with 70,712 total historical actions.
What is MDL 2738?
MDL 2738 is In re: Johnson & Johnson Talcum Powder Products Marketing, Sales Practices and Products Liability Litigation, the federal multidistrict litigation that consolidates talcum powder cancer lawsuits for pretrial proceedings in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey, Master Docket 3:16-md-02738, before U.S. District Judge Michael A. Shipp and U.S. Magistrate Judge Rukhsanah L. Singh. An MDL is consolidated litigation, not a settlement, and it has no claim form.
Who may qualify for a talcum powder lawsuit review?
People who used talcum powder regularly for feminine hygiene or personal care and were later diagnosed with ovarian cancer, fallopian tube cancer, primary peritoneal cancer, or a related gynecologic cancer may fit current attorney screening criteria. Some cases also involve mesothelioma allegedly linked to asbestos-contaminated talc. Attorneys typically look for a qualifying diagnosis, a history of talc use that began before the diagnosis, and supporting medical records.
Is there a deadline to file a talcum powder lawsuit?
Yes. Each state has its own statute of limitations that limits how long you have to file a talcum powder lawsuit after a cancer diagnosis or discovery of a possible link to talc. Submitting an intake form does not file a lawsuit or stop any legal deadline. If time may be an issue, contact a qualified attorney directly as soon as possible.
Sources
- JPML — MDL statistics report, June 1, 2026 (PDF)
- U.S. District Court, District of New Jersey — MDL 2738 litigation page
- GovInfo — Special Master Rule 702 / Daubert report and recommendation, January 20, 2026 (PDF)
- GovInfo — Order denying Beasley Allen motion to stay disqualification, May 26, 2026 (PDF)
- Reuters — U.S. judge rejects J&J's $10 billion baby powder settlement (April 2025)
- Reuters — J&J beats lawsuit alleging talc caused three women's cancer (June 2026)
- The Daily Record — Baltimore jury hits J&J with record $1.5B talc mesothelioma judgment (December 2025)
- Legal Newsline — J&J to appeal 'egregious' $1.5B Baltimore talc verdict
- Johnson & Johnson — statement on returning to the tort system
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration — talc in cosmetics
- National Cancer Institute — talc and cancer risk
Important Disclaimer
Important: Legal deadlines can be time sensitive and vary by state, diagnosis date, exposure history, and other facts. Submitting information through this website does not file a lawsuit, preserve your rights, create an attorney-client relationship, or guarantee that any attorney will contact or represent you. If you do not receive a response, or if you are unsure about a filing deadline, you should promptly contact a qualified attorney of your choice to discuss your specific situation.This page is for informational purposes and may include paid attorney advertising. OpenClassActions.com is not a law firm and is not a claims administrator. For legal advice, speak with an attorney licensed in your state.
For more class actions keep scrolling below.
Case Title
In re: Johnson & Johnson Talcum Powder Products Marketing, Sales Practices and Products Liability Litigation
Case Number
MDL No. 2738 · Master Docket 3:16-md-02738
Court
U.S. District Court, District of New Jersey
Presiding Judges
Hon. Michael A. Shipp, U.S.D.J. · Hon. Rukhsanah L. Singh, U.S.M.J.
Pending Actions
68,029
JPML report, June 1, 2026 · 70,712 total historical actions
Status
Active litigation — no public settlement claim form
Official Website
D.N.J. Court MDL 2738 Page
