J&J Talc Lawsuits Get Expert Green Light

In a significant development for over 67,500 lawsuits, a court-appointed special master recommended allowing expert testimony that links Johnson & Johnson's talc products to ovarian cancer. This decision, made on January 20, 2026, moves the litigation closer to its first federal trial, possibly later this year. U.S. District Judge Michael Shipp will weigh objections before finalizing the ruling.

The special master, retired Judge Freda Wolfson, found that plaintiffs' experts used reliable methods to establish a causal link between talc powder use and ovarian cancer. While she agreed to exclude testimony on heavy metals and theories of talc migration, her recommendation allows the core scientific link to be presented to a jury.

Johnson & Johnson has consistently maintained its products are safe and do not cause cancer. The company ceased selling talc-based baby powder in the U.S. in 2020, transitioning to a cornstarch-based alternative. This latest recommendation comes after previous attempts by J&J to resolve the litigation through bankruptcy were rejected by federal courts.

This is not the first time Wolfson has reviewed scientific evidence in these cases. She previously sided with plaintiffs in 2020 regarding talc contamination with asbestos. Judge Shipp requested a reevaluation due to updated federal rules on expert testimony and new scientific findings.