A major legal breakthrough has emerged in the Johnson & Johnson talc lawsuits. A court-appointed special master recommended allowing expert testimony that links J&J’s talc products to ovarian cancer. This decision could lead to the first federal trial later this year.
More than 67,500 plaintiffs are involved in the case. Retired U.S. District Judge Freda Wolfson issued the recommendation at the request of Judge Michael Shipp. He asked her to review whether the plaintiffs’ experts meet federal reliability standards.
Product liability cases depend heavily on expert witnesses. Wolfson concluded that the plaintiffs’ experts used scientifically valid methods. She found strong evidence of a link between genital talc use and ovarian cancer. Her conclusion drew on epidemiological studies from before and after 2020.
Wolfson stressed that she did not judge the truth of the claims. Instead, she assessed whether the methods were sound enough for a jury. She also allowed J&J to present its own expert witnesses who dispute the cancer link.
However, she excluded some theories. For example, she rejected claims that inhaled talc reaches the ovaries. She also dismissed arguments about heavy metals or fragrances causing cancer because the science behind them remains weak.
This is not Wolfson’s first involvement in these lawsuits. She oversaw the multidistrict litigation from 2016 until her retirement in 2023. In 2020, she permitted testimony about possible asbestos contamination in J&J’s talc—a claim the company denies.
Now, under stricter federal rules for expert testimony, Judge Shipp requested a new review. Wolfson’s latest 658-page report addresses both updated legal standards and new scientific data.
Johnson & Johnson strongly disagrees with the findings. The company plans to challenge the recommendation before Judge Shipp. Erik Haas, J&J’s vice president of litigation, called the ruling “erroneous.” He said Wolfson failed to rigorously examine the studies the plaintiffs’ experts cited.
Plaintiffs welcomed the decision. Attorney Chris Tisi said it confirms their case rests on solid science. He added that thousands of women may finally get their day in court after years of delays.
J&J stopped selling talc-based baby powder in the U.S. in 2020. It now uses cornstarch instead. The company insists its products are safe and never contained asbestos.
It previously tried to end the litigation through bankruptcy. Federal courts rejected that strategy three times—most recently in April 2025. Those attempts had paused most cases for years.
Separately, J&J also faces mesothelioma lawsuits tied to its talc. Mesothelioma is a rare cancer often linked to asbestos. In December 2025, a Baltimore jury awarded $1.5 billion in one such case.
Earlier ovarian cancer verdicts have been mixed. A $4.69 billion award to 22 women was later reduced on appeal. Still, repeated adverse rulings continue to pressure the company.
Judge Shipp will now consider objections from both sides. If he accepts Wolfson’s recommendation, trials could begin soon. For many plaintiffs, this moment offers hope—and long-awaited justice.
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