In June 2024, former talcum powder users filed a new lawsuit in a federal court requesting that Johnson & Johnson compensate women who either developed ovarian cancer or are at-risk of developing ovarian cancer with damages and preventative monitoring care.
The proposed medical monitoring system would cover the cost of doctor’s visits, diagnostic tests, pelvic exams, and other preventative care for women who regularly applied talcum powder to the genital area for at least four years. If the lawsuit is allowed to continue, a medical monitoring system could help catch early ovarian cancer cases for thousands of women.
What will this mean for the current talcum powder lawsuit?
The 60,000 claims from the original talcum powder lawsuit are not included in this class action, but it could grow to include thousands of new plaintiffs as the lawsuit proceeds. According to Carl Tobias, a prolific legal consultant and University of Richmond law professor, a large number of claims could potentially cost J&J more money to resolve than it may be equipped to handle.
“This kind of monitoring system, especially if it covers thousands of women, will be expensive since it goes on for the rest of their lives. It could cost J&J hundreds of millions, if not billions, to cover these costs.”
- Carl Tobias, Williams Chair in Law at the University of Richmond
The future of this new class action is uncertain, but for now, there’s about a month left for claimants to accept or decline J&J’s $6.48 billion proposal to settle all remaining talcum powder claims at once. In order for it to be approved, at least 75% of talcum powder claimants need to agree to the proposal by the end of the three-month voting period, July 26.
Johnson & Johnson could soon be found liable for billions of dollars in settlements. If you or an immediate family member used J&J’s baby powder and developed ovarian cancer in 2014 or later, now’s the right time to see if you qualify to join the talcum powder lawsuit.