Cosmetic talc and ovarian cancer
Johnson & Johnson and other talc suppliers, as alleged
Last checked Aug 31, 2026 · LawyerUnc editorial. Educational only, not legal advice.
Docket. MDL 2738 (D.N.J.) and various bankruptcy / state-court tracks
Window LawyerUnc is tracking. 1960-01-01 → open
General causation
Two distinct theories live under the talc caption: ovarian cancer associated with perineal cosmetic-talc use, and mesothelioma associated with alleged asbestos in the powder. They are not the same case. Occupational asbestos (shipyard, insulation, Navy, brakes) is a different inventory on this site. J&J’s corporate restructuring and bankruptcy attempts have repeatedly reshaped where cosmetic-talc claims can be heard.
Specific causation / screening
Long-duration perineal use plus ovarian cancer, or cosmetic-talc use plus mesothelioma, plus brand identification. If the mesothelioma story is workplace or take-home asbestos, that file belongs on the asbestos inventory, not this one. Other asbestos exposures complicate a powder-only mesothelioma file.
Injuries currently screened
- Ovarian cancer
- Mesothelioma (cosmetic-talc theory)
- Certain other gynecologic cancers in some inventories
Timeline
1970s–2000s
Literature and labeling fights
Epidemiologic debate over talc and ovarian cancer accumulates for decades.
2018+
Large verdicts
Publicly reported verdicts, remittiturs, and appellate reversals, a Rule 7.1 cautionary tale. Past results do not guarantee, warrant, or predict future case outcomes.
2021–2026
MDL and bankruptcy chess
Federal ovarian MDL in New Jersey; parallel state courts; repeated bankruptcy maneuvers.
Sources
- JPML MDL 2738
- FDA / CDC pages on talc (consumer information)