{"action":{"id":"talc-baby-powder-class-action","slug":"talc-baby-powder-class-action","title":"Talc Baby Powder Class Action","category":"Product Liability and Defects","stage":"certified","tags":{"industry":["Consumer goods","Pharmaceutical and medical devices"],"geographic":["Canada-wide"],"eligibilityTrigger":["Purchased a product","Was exposed to a substance or contamination","Family member of an affected person"]},"allegationsSummary":"The lawsuits allege that Johnson & Johnson and related companies sold talc-based Johnson's Baby Powder without adequately warning users about potential health risks. The claims say that using the powder in the perineal (genital) area over a prolonged period increased users' chances of developing epithelial ovarian cancer. The plaintiffs allege negligence, including failure to warn and negligent testing, design and manufacturing, along with breaches of consumer protection laws and the federal Competition Act, and they seek damages. None of these allegations has been proved in court.","proposedClassDefinition":"The British Columbia court certified the case as a multi-jurisdictional class action for persons in Canada, other than Quebec residents, who used Johnson's Baby Powder in the perineal (genital) region and were later diagnosed with epithelial ovarian cancer, with a class period ending September 23, 2024. A separate Quebec proceeding was authorized in 2018 for Quebec residents. The Ontario court certified its action in March 2026 for a broader class: all persons resident in Canada, including Quebec, who purchased or used Johnson's Baby Powder perineally, with a subclass for those later diagnosed with epithelial ovarian cancer, and a family subclass. The Ontario class definition is set out in the court's certification decisions of June 2025 and March 2026. Johnson & Johnson is appealing the Ontario certification decision, so the class definition could change.","whatHappensNext":"Courts in British Columbia and Ontario have certified these cases as class actions, which means they may move forward toward trial or another resolution on behalf of the class. Certification decides only that the case can proceed as a class action; it does not decide whether the allegations are true. The court materials also mention proceedings in Quebec (authorized but apparently dormant) and Alberta (dormant). There is no settlement and no claims process yet, and timelines are uncertain and often run years. According to class counsel, Johnson & Johnson is appealing the Ontario certification decision. No notice of certification or opt-out period has been announced.","caseBackground":"These class actions concern talc-based Johnson's Baby Powder. The lawsuits allege that Johnson & Johnson and related companies marketed the powder without adequate warnings, and that using it in the perineal (genital) area increased users' chances of developing epithelial ovarian cancer. The claims allege negligence, including failure to warn, and breaches of provincial consumer protection laws and the federal Competition Act.\n\nCases were filed in more than one province over the same alleged conduct. The Supreme Court of British Columbia certified its case as a multi-jurisdictional class action in September 2024, excluding Quebec residents, and the Ontario Superior Court of Justice certified its case in March 2026. The two certified classes differ in scope. The Ontario class is broader: it includes Quebec residents and does not require a cancer diagnosis or a minimum period of use. The BC class is limited to people diagnosed with epithelial ovarian cancer after long-term use. The court materials also refer to a Quebec case authorized in 2018 and an Alberta case filed in 2019; the Ontario court noted in March 2026 that neither appeared to have advanced.\n\nCertification means only that the cases may proceed as class actions. None of the allegations has been proved, and there is nothing to file at this stage.","faqs":[{"answer":"Usually no. The cases have been certified as class actions but there is no settlement and no claims process, so there is nothing to sign up for or claim at this stage.","question":"Do I need to do anything right now?"},{"answer":"No. Certification only allows the cases to proceed as class actions; it does not decide whether the allegations are true or provide any compensation. Money could become available only if the plaintiffs win at trial or if a settlement is later reached and approved.","question":"Is there any money available now?"},{"answer":"It depends on the proceeding. The Ontario class, certified in March 2026, includes all persons resident in Canada who purchased Johnson's Baby Powder for female perineal use or used it on the female perineum. It also has a subclass for those later diagnosed with epithelial ovarian cancer, and a family subclass for certain relatives. The British Columbia class is narrower: persons in Canada, other than Quebec residents, who used the powder perineally and were later diagnosed with epithelial ovarian cancer. The Ontario certification is under appeal, so the class definitions could change.","question":"Who might be included in the class?"},{"answer":"The certified cases would need to be resolved, either by a trial that the class wins or by a settlement that a court approves. Only then could a claims process be set up, and there is no certainty that will happen.","question":"What has to happen before a claims process could open?"},{"answer":"It is impossible to say. Class actions of this kind often take years to resolve, and no timeline is stated in the court materials.","question":"When might this case resolve?"}],"proceedings":{"body":"The court filings behind the proposed class actions.","items":[{"id":"9242187b30b1eecd","url":"https://rochongenova.com/cases/talc-powder-class-action/","court":"Ontario Superior Court of Justice","firms":[{"name":"Rochon Genova LLP"},{"name":"Howie Sacks & Henry LLP"}],"stage":"certified","caseName":"Strathdee v. Johnson & Johnson Inc.","dateFiled":"2016-05-18","fileNumber":"CV-16-00553046-00CP","jurisdiction":"Ontario","relationship":"parallel","dateCertified":"2026-03-04"},{"id":"bb62b9609b677357","url":"https://www.merchantlaw.com/class-actions-recours-collectif-canada/johnson-baby-powder-ovarian-cancer","court":"Supreme Court of British Columbia","firms":[{"name":"Merchant Law Group LLP"}],"stage":"certified","caseName":"Ennis v. Johnson & Johnson","dateFiled":"2016-03-24","fileNumber":"S179011","jurisdiction":"British Columbia","relationship":"parallel","dateCertified":"2024-09-23"}],"heading":"The proceedings"},"plaintiffFirms":[{"name":"Rochon Genova LLP","contacts":[]},{"name":"Howie Sacks & Henry LLP","contacts":[]},{"name":"Merchant Law Group LLP","contacts":[]}],"sourceDocuments":[{"url":"/uploads/899bacdd45d839458f8e53db-2026onsc1186-certification.pdf","title":"2026onsc1186-certification.pdf"},{"url":"/uploads/7036fbd83e0cc1e72b467577-BC-Certification.pdf","title":"BC Certification.pdf"}],"filedDate":"","certificationHearingDate":"","optOutDeadline":null,"seriousHarmEnabled":false,"quietPresentation":false,"stageChangedAt":"2026-09-15 17:29:34","lastReviewed":"2026-09-15","outcomeSummary":"","promotedSettlementSlug":"","relatedSlugs":[],"dateAdded":"2026-09-15","lastUpdated":"2026-09-25","languages":["en","fr"]}}