A talcum powder mesothelioma trial is underway in California state court, with a man alleging that prolonged use of Vi-Jon talcum powder products caused his cancer.
The Case
John Maricich and his wife Kym filed their lawsuit in March 2025 in California Superior Court for Alameda County. According to court documents, Maricich:
- Used Vi-Jon talcum powder products for an extended period
- Began experiencing symptoms linked to mesothelioma in September 2024
- Was diagnosed with metastatic liver cancer approximately one year before symptom onset
- Alleges the talcum powder contained asbestos that caused his mesothelioma
Opening statements began on January 5, 2026.
Narrowed Defendant List
The original complaint named multiple defendants involved in the manufacturing and distribution chain of talcum powder products. By the time trial began, only Combe Incorporated remained as a defendant.
Combe is a consumer products company that has distributed various personal care products, including talcum powder formulations.
Loss of Consortium Claim Denied
In a pretrial ruling, the court excluded Kym Maricich’s loss of consortium claims. The court determined she married John after his mesothelioma diagnosis, which under California law affects her ability to recover for loss of consortium.
The couple appealed this ruling, but California’s First Appellate District rejected their appeal in November 2025, allowing the trial to proceed without that component of the case.
Loss of consortium is a legal claim that allows a spouse to recover damages for the loss of companionship, affection, and support that results from their partner’s injury or illness. In many states, the marriage must predate the injury for this claim to apply.
Broader Talc Litigation Context
This trial is part of the larger wave of talcum powder litigation that has resulted in billions of dollars in verdicts against manufacturers and distributors:
| Recent Verdicts | Amount | Product |
|---|---|---|
| Craft v. J&J (Dec 2025) | $1.56 billion | Johnson’s Baby Powder |
| Moore v. J&J (Oct 2025) | $966 million | Johnson’s Baby Powder |
| Minnesota verdict (Dec 2025) | $65.5 million | Johnson’s Baby Powder |
While Johnson & Johnson has faced the most lawsuits, other manufacturers and distributors of talcum powder products have also been named in litigation.
What to Watch
The Maricich trial is notable because:
- Non-J&J defendant: Most high-profile talc cases have involved Johnson & Johnson, but this trial focuses on Vi-Jon products distributed by Combe
- Mesothelioma claim: Unlike many talc cases involving ovarian cancer, this involves mesothelioma, which is directly linked to asbestos exposure
- State court timing: This trial proceeds while the federal MDL in New Jersey prepares for its first bellwether trial later in 2026
Federal Trials on the Horizon
A separate federal bellwether trial involving talcum powder claims is expected to begin early next year in the New Jersey multidistrict litigation, which consolidates over 67,500 cases. A recent ruling allowing expert testimony in those cases removed a major hurdle to federal trials.