Juries have awarded billions of dollars to victims who developed cancer after using talcum powder products. These verdicts—and the settlements that follow—provide insight into what compensation may be available for current and future claimants.
Major Talcum Powder Verdicts
Mesothelioma Verdicts
Mesothelioma cases typically result in the largest awards because asbestos is a known carcinogen and causation is more direct.
| Year | Verdict | Plaintiff | Court | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $1.56 billion | Cherie Craft | Baltimore, MD | Largest talc verdict ever |
| 2025 | $966 million | Mae Moore (estate) | Los Angeles, CA | $16M compensatory + $950M punitive |
| 2025 | $65.5 million | Plaintiff name sealed | Minnesota | First MN talc mesothelioma verdict |
| 2020 | $750 million | Four plaintiffs | New Jersey | Combined verdict |
| 2019 | $325 million | Donna Olson | California | Later reduced |
Ovarian Cancer Verdicts
Ovarian cancer cases are more numerous but typically result in smaller individual verdicts.
| Year | Verdict | Plaintiff(s) | Court | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | $4.69 billion | 22 women | St. Louis, MO | Largest multi-plaintiff verdict |
| 2017 | $417 million | Eva Echeverria | Los Angeles | Later reduced to $70M |
| 2017 | $110 million | Lois Slemp | St. Louis | Affirmed on appeal |
| 2016 | $72 million | Jacqueline Fox (estate) | St. Louis | First major plaintiff win |
| 2016 | $55 million | Gloria Ristesund | St. Louis | Later overturned |
Jury verdicts are often reduced on appeal or through post-trial negotiations. The amounts above represent jury awards, not necessarily final payments. However, verdicts establish the potential value of claims.
Settlement Activity
State Attorney General Settlement (2024)
Johnson & Johnson reached a $700 million settlement with 42 states and the District of Columbia over allegations of deceptive marketing of talc products.
Key Terms:
- $700 million total payout
- Individual state payments ranging from $3 million to $78 million
- J&J did not admit wrongdoing
- Settlement covers marketing claims only, not personal injury
Note: This settlement does not compensate individual cancer victims—it addresses state consumer protection claims.
Individual Settlements
Most individual settlements are confidential, but available information suggests:
Mesothelioma Cases:
- Settlements reportedly range from $1 million to $50+ million
- Cases with strong evidence of long-term talc use command higher amounts
- Pre-trial settlements may be lower than post-verdict amounts
Ovarian Cancer Cases:
- Typical settlements reportedly range from $100,000 to $1 million+
- Cases with documented, long-term genital talc use settle higher
- Younger plaintiffs with more damages may receive more
Most settlement amounts are confidential. The figures above are based on limited public disclosures and attorney reports, not comprehensive data.
Factors Affecting Compensation
Case Strength Factors
Types of Damages
Compensatory Damages (actual losses):
- Medical expenses (past and future)
- Lost wages and earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of consortium (impact on relationships)
- Funeral and burial costs (wrongful death)
Punitive Damages (punishment for wrongdoing):
- Awarded when companies acted with recklessness or malice
- Can be multiples of compensatory damages
- Often the largest portion of major verdicts
- Subject to caps or reduction in some states
Cancer Type Impact
| Cancer Type | Typical Verdict Range | Factors |
|---|---|---|
| Mesothelioma | $10M - $1B+ | Direct asbestos link, severe prognosis |
| Ovarian cancer | $1M - $100M | Statistical link, larger plaintiff pool |
| Other cancers | Varies | Less established causation |
The Bankruptcy Question
Failed Settlement Attempts
Johnson & Johnson attempted to use bankruptcy to force a global settlement:
| Attempt | Proposed Amount | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 (LTL #1) | $2 billion | Dismissed for bad faith |
| 2023 (LTL #2) | $8.9 billion | Dismissed for bad faith |
| 2024 (Red River) | $9 billion | Dismissed; no appeal |
Current Status: With bankruptcy off the table, individual litigation continues. This means:
- Cases proceed to trial
- Settlements negotiated case-by-case
- Potential for large verdicts continues
What This Means for Claimants
The failure of J&J’s bankruptcy strategy is generally favorable for plaintiffs:
- Individual trials can result in higher awards than bankruptcy payouts
- Jury verdicts create pressure for settlements
- No forced participation in a single settlement program
However:
- Individual litigation takes longer
- Outcomes are less predictable
- Some claimants may prefer certain payment over uncertain trial
Timeline: When Do Victims Get Paid?
Litigation Timeline
| Phase | Typical Duration |
|---|---|
| Filing to discovery | 6-12 months |
| Discovery to trial | 12-24 months |
| Trial | 2-6 weeks |
| Post-trial motions | 3-6 months |
| Appeals (if any) | 1-3 years |
| Total | 2-5+ years |
Settlement Timeline
Settlements can occur at any stage:
- Pre-filing: Rare, usually only for very strong cases
- During discovery: Common once evidence is exchanged
- Before trial: Many cases settle on courthouse steps
- During trial: Settlements can happen mid-trial
- Post-verdict: Parties may settle during appeals
Payment After Resolution
Once a case resolves:
- Settlement checks typically issue within 30-90 days
- Verdict payments may take longer due to appeals
- Attorney fees and expenses deducted from recovery
- Liens (medical, Medicare) must be satisfied
How Compensation Is Structured
Lump Sum vs. Structured Settlements
Lump Sum: Single payment of full amount
- Immediate access to funds
- Investment responsibility on recipient
- May affect government benefits
Structured Settlement: Payments over time
- Guaranteed income stream
- Tax advantages
- Less control over funds
Deductions from Recovery
| Deduction | Typical Amount |
|---|---|
| Attorney fees | 33-40% of recovery |
| Litigation costs | $50,000-$500,000+ |
| Medical liens | Varies |
| Medicare/Medicaid liens | Varies |
| Net to client | 40-60% of gross |
Despite deductions, contingency fees mean victims pay nothing upfront and risk nothing if they lose. The attorney advances all costs.
Comparing to Other Mass Torts
| Litigation | Total Settlements/Verdicts | Average Individual |
|---|---|---|
| Talc (ongoing) | $10B+ and growing | $100K - $100M+ |
| Tobacco | $206 billion (state settlement) | N/A (no individual payments) |
| Opioids | $50+ billion | Varies by state |
| Roundup | $11 billion | ~$150,000 average |
| 3M Earplugs | $6 billion | ~$100,000 average |
Talc litigation has produced some of the largest individual verdicts in mass tort history, particularly for mesothelioma cases.
What to Expect Going Forward
Near-Term Outlook
- Trials continuing through 2026 and beyond
- Large verdicts likely to continue
- Settlement pressure building on J&J
- No imminent global settlement expected
Potential Scenarios
Scenario 1: Continued Litigation
- Cases proceed individually
- Verdicts vary widely
- Process takes years
Scenario 2: Future Settlement Fund
- J&J eventually creates settlement program
- Voluntary participation
- Faster resolution but potentially lower amounts
Scenario 3: Hybrid Approach
- Settlement offered to some plaintiffs
- Others continue to trial
- Mesothelioma and ovarian cases treated differently
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the average talcum powder settlement? There’s no reliable “average” because most settlements are confidential. Mesothelioma cases appear to settle for millions; ovarian cancer cases for hundreds of thousands to millions.
Will J&J ever offer a global settlement? Possibly, but their bankruptcy attempts failed. Any future settlement would likely be voluntary, not court-ordered.
How long until I get paid? Individual cases typically take 2-5 years. Settlement can occur sooner; appeals can extend timeline significantly.
Should I wait for a bigger settlement? This is a personal decision. Waiting risks statute of limitations issues and health decline. Consult with an attorney about your specific situation.
Are mesothelioma cases worth more than ovarian cancer cases? Generally, yes. Mesothelioma has a direct asbestos link, more severe prognosis, and juries have awarded larger amounts.
Related Resources
Understanding Talc & Cancer
- Talcum Powder and Cancer
- Talc Crisis By the Numbers
- Talcum Powder and Ovarian Cancer
- Is Talcum Powder Safe?
- Products Containing Talc
Legal & Compensation
- Talcum Powder Lawsuits Guide
- How to File a Talcum Powder Claim
- J&J Talc Verdicts 2025
- Asbestos Trust Funds
References
The Washington Post. (2025-12-23). $1.56 Billion Talc Verdict in Baltimore.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2025/12/23/johnson-johnson-talcum-powder-verdict-mesothelioma/
Reuters. (2025-10-14). Mae Moore $966 Million Verdict.
https://www.reuters.com/legal/litigation/jj-hit-with-966-mln-verdict-california-talc-case-2025-10-14/
NPR. (2018-07-13). Jury Awards $4.7 Billion To Women In Johnson & Johnson Talcum Powder Suit.
https://www.npr.org/2018/07/13/628684038/jury-awards-4-7-billion-to-women-in-johnson-johnson-talcum-powder-suit
The New York Times. (2024-05-01). J&J Reaches $700 Million Settlement with States.
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/05/01/business/johnson-johnson-talc-settlement-states.html
U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation. Talcum Powder Litigation MDL.
https://www.jpml.uscourts.gov/