Thousands of people across the UK are now pursuing legal action against Johnson & Johnson, alleging the company sold asbestos-contaminated talcum powder that led to cancers such as ovarian cancer and mesothelioma.
Lawyers representing over 3,000 claimants have lodged a group legal claim at the High Court in London. Plaintiffs assert that Johnson & Johnson, along with its subsidiaries Johnson & Johnson Management and Kenvue UK, concealed dangers associated with talc use for decades. They seek damages for individuals who say they—or their family members—developed serious illnesses after long-term exposure to Johnson’s Baby Powder.
Allegations and Defense Arguments
In court documents filed Thursday, legal teams contend J&J “suppressed information” about asbestos risks, “lobbied regulators” and sponsored studies to downplay dangers to human health. They further argue that virtually all commercially exploited talc mines contain asbestos, and J&J was or should have been aware of contamination risks.
Kenvue, now holding responsibility for talc-related claims outside North America, maintains that the talc used in their products complied with regulations, was free from asbestos, and does not cause cancer. J&J denies knowingly selling contaminated talc products.
Personal Stories From Plaintiffs
Among the claimants is Janet Fuschillo, age 75, who says she used Johnson’s Baby Powder regularly from the 1960s and was diagnosed with ovarian cancer seven years ago. “I used talc on myself and all four of my children … for close to 50 years,” she told the court. Another claimant, Patricia Angell, says her husband died of mesothelioma shortly after diagnosis and that he had used the powder for many years.
Broader Legal and Regulatory Context
This UK lawsuit marks the first major talc cancer claim filed in English courts against J&J. In the U.S., the company faces tens of thousands of similar claims. A recent U.S. court ordered J&J to pay $966 million for a mesothelioma case. Earlier proposals by J&J to resolve U.S. claims via an $8–10 billion settlement, tied to a bankruptcy strategy, were recently rejected by courts.
Notably, J&J gradually phased out talc in its baby powder—stopping sales in the U.S. in 2020, and replacing talc with corn starch in the UK by 2023. Regulatory bodies are also under increased pressure to tighten oversight. For example, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has proposed stricter rules to test for asbestos contamination in cosmetic talc products.
What Comes Next
The English High Court case will be decided by a judge, rather than a jury, as is standard in British civil litigation. If successful, the case could open the door for further group actions in the UK. Legal observers say the outcome may hinge on internal documents, expert testimony on asbestos exposure, and whether J&J can convincingly rebut claims that it suppressed critical safety data.
