Below are links to the Case Management Orders (CMOs) and PreTrial Orders (PTOs) that have been entered in the Johnson & Johnson Talcum Powder MDL 2738. The Talc MDL is currently the largest multidistrict litigation in the country. As of May 2026, there are more than 67,000 active Talcum Powder lawsuits in the MDL. Bookmark this page to stay up to date with the Talc Powder lawsuits as additional PreTrial Orders are issued.

Talc Powder MDL 2738 PreTrial Orders (PTOs) & Updates

Below are some of the critical orders and scheduling updates that have been entered in the Talc MDL 2738. The MDL was formed in the District of New Jersey to centralize thousands of claims alleging that Johnson & Johnson’s talc-based baby powder causes ovarian cancer and mesothelioma.

• 02/13/2024: Case Management Order – Procedures for Failure to Timely Serve Plaintiff Profile Form and to Address Deficiencies
• 07/10/2024: Amended Case Management Order No. 3 – Substitution of Counsel for Personal Care Products Council (PCPC)
• 01/11/2024: Case Management Order No. 14 – Setting a Case Management Conference [PDF]
• 09/17/2020: Case Management Order No. 7(A) – Establishing Common Benefit Fee and Expense Accounts [PDF]
• 04/30/2019: Case Management Order No. 13 – Modification of Order Appointing Plaintiffs’ Steering Committee [PDF]
• 02/04/2019: Case Management Order No. 12 – Amended Schedule for Expert Witnesses and Daubert Proceedings [PDF]
• 06/18/2018: Case Management Order No. 11 – Deposition Guidelines [PDF]
• 09/12/2017: Case Management Order No. 8 – Re-filing of Complaints Subject to Personal Jurisdiction Objections [PDF]
• 09/07/2017: Case Management Order No. 9 – Deadlines for Discovery and Expert Identification [PDF]
• 05/22/2017: Case Management Order No. 6 – Preservation of Documents, ESI, and Tangible Things [PDF]
• 05/22/2017: Case Management Order No. 5 – Protocol for Production of Documents and Electronically Stored Information (ESI) [PDF]
• 05/22/2017: Case Management Order No. 2(a) – Automatic Incorporation of Master Complaint Amendments
• 03/28/2017: Case Management Order No. 4 – Answers and Responsive Pleadings [PDF]
• 03/28/2017: Case Management Order No. 3 – Standardized Short Form Complaint and Service of Process Protocols [PDF]
• 02/07/2017: Case Management Order No. 2 – Direct Filing
• 12/06/2016: Case Management Order No. 1 – Organizational Structure and Initial Deadlines

(Note: Certain state court and bankruptcy court orders heavily impact MDL 2738 scheduling and have been tracked alongside federal MDL PTOs).

Talcum Powder Lawsuit Information

For more information on the status and history of MDL 2738, visit our main Talc Powder Lawsuits page. The litigation alleges that prolonged use of talcum powder, such as Johnson’s Baby Powder, can cause ovarian cancer and mesothelioma due to asbestos contamination.

What is the Current Status of the J&J Talcum Powder MDL?

As of May 2026, the J&J Talc MDL contains over 67,000 active cases, making it the largest mass tort docket in the United States. Recent developments include:

• Failed Bankruptcy Routes: Johnson & Johnson’s multiple attempts to route talc liabilities through the bankruptcy of a subsidiary (LTL Management) have been repeatedly shut down by the courts.
• Expert Testimony: The court has cleared expert testimony linking talc use to ovarian cancer to go before juries. Judge Freda Wolfson noted that epidemiological studies demonstrate a statistically significant association between genital talc use and ovarian cancer.
• The Lancet Retraction: In April 2026, the medical journal The Lancet retracted a key 1977 piece often used to defend the safety of cosmetic talc, after it was discovered the author was a secret paid consultant for Johnson & Johnson.
• Settlement Efforts: Settlement negotiations are actively ongoing, overseen by a court-appointed mediator and a dedicated Plaintiffs’ Negotiation Committee. Both sides are required to participate with real settlement authority.

Recent Talcum Powder Verdicts

While the MDL continues, several trials outside and alongside the MDL have resulted in massive verdicts for the plaintiffs:

• December 2025 (Baltimore, MD): A jury awarded $1.5 billion ($59.8M compensatory + punitive damages) to a woman diagnosed with mesothelioma after prolonged exposure to J&J talc products.
• February 2026 (Pennsylvania): A jury awarded $250,000 to the family of a deceased talc user who died from ovarian cancer.
• March 2026 (California): A $16 million compensatory award was upheld in an asbestos-mesothelioma case against J&J.

How do I know if I qualify?

If you or a loved one used talcum powder products for an extended period and were subsequently diagnosed with ovarian cancer or mesothelioma, you may be eligible to file a lawsuit. The statute of limitations varies by state, but the window to file may still be open.

For a free Talcum Powder lawsuit consultation with one of our defective product attorneys, call 202-792-7927.