Claimants in Johnson & Johnson talcum powder case rise to 7,000

A major legal case in which Johnson & Johnson (J&J) is accused of knowingly selling baby powder contaminated with asbestos, now involves 7,111 claimants.

The case, which opened in the High Court on Wednesday, originally involved 3,000 claimants and is set to become the largest product liability case in UK history.

The claimants allege that J&J was aware as early as the 1960s that its talcum power contained contaminants linked to cancers. All the claimants have cancers - such as ovarian and mesothelioma - that they allege are linked to asbestos exposure.

J&J denies the allegation as well as any claims that it knowingly sold baby powder contaminated with asbestos.

The hearing is focusing on how the litigation will proceed through court. The defendant and claimants agree that group litigation is acceptable but disagreements exist.

The claimants' lawyer, KP Law, stated that some of the information the defendants are calling for serves no clear benefit and is "tantamount to a full witness statement from each claimant".

KP Law added that some requests are "consistent with an intention to be onerous to the point of oppression" and ultimately stifle the litigation.

The defendants' lawyers say this framing "is wrong, unjustified and unhelpful," saying that the information they are asking for on each claimant is "reasonable and fair," adding the "requests are neither oppressive nor intended to stifle the claims".

KP Law notes that one claimant is dying from their cancer every three days and called for the case to proceed more quickly.

Margaret Manion, who signed up to the claim late in 2024, was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in April 2024 and died in November 2025, aged 73.

She previously said her mother used baby powder on her as a baby, and Margaret continued to use the talc every day as an adult, as well as on her own children.

Margaret is one of the many women who have passed away since the claim was filed in October 2025.

Her partner of 30 years, Tony Bowden, 77, from Longfield in Kent, said her diagnosis was a 'bombshell' and that the two years of her illness "were the most painful experience ever, for Margaret and her family".

"She remained strong and resilient despite being well aware of the prognosis," he said.

KP Law's case alleges that J&J never issued warnings on the packaging of its baby powder and instead marketed it as a symbol of purity and safety. But J&J denies this allegation stating that the baby powder "was compliant with any required regulatory standards, did not contain asbestos, and does not cause cancer."

The sale of baby powder containing talc stopped in the UK in 2023.

This hearing is expected to conclude on Thursday with a judgement at a later date. It is likely to be years before the case concludes.