Flashback: Bankruptcy Court Stops Ovarian Cancer Claims

A bankruptcy verdict had put a stop to hundreds of ovarian cancer claims tied to talc for now worrying victims

Thursday, June 26, 2025 - A federal bankruptcy court has made a very controversial decision that puts a stop to thousands of outstanding ovarian cancer claims linked to the usage of talcum powder. The pause is part of an ongoing bankruptcy case started by a talcum powder company that wants to protect itself from rising legal costs as it tries to reach a comprehensive settlement. The temporary stay stops any ongoing talcum powder cancer litigation that involves ovarian cancer claims. This means that plaintiffs can't move forward with trials or settlement talks while the bankruptcy process is going on. A lawyer for several of these claimants says that the bankruptcy strategy is being used to postpone justice for women who got ovarian cancer after using talcum powder regularly for years. Plaintiffs say that the companies that made the products knew they were not warning customers about the risks of using talc on the perineum for a long time and the possibility of asbestos contamination. The bankruptcy stay leaves many plaintiffs in legal limbo while financial negotiations go on behind closed doors. This is because hundreds of claims are combined in multidistrict litigation and state courts. Critics believe the pause makes things worse for victims who have already waited years for their claims to be heard. This raises moral considerations about using bankruptcy as a way to avoid being held accountable by a company.

The U.S. says the Bankruptcy Court is in charge of the proceedings. The hold on ovarian cancer claims gives the firm time to come up with a full settlement strategy to deal with the huge number of talcum powder complaints. Companies can ask the court for protection against mass tort claims while they work on reorganizing or settling their debts under bankruptcy law. Legal experts say that bankruptcy stays are common in big product liability cases, but the use of them in talcum powder lawsuits has gotten a lot of public criticism. The U.S. Department of Justice is worried about these kinds of legal moves and has warned that bankruptcy should not be used by solvent firms to avoid responsibility. Talcum powder cancer lawyers say that putting ovarian cancer lawsuits on hold keeps victims from getting compensation and important information that could help their cases in court. Legal experts, consumer advocates, and regulatory agencies are keeping a close eye on the result of this bankruptcy case because it could set a precedent for how companies deal with culpability for broad public health concerns. If the court agrees to a global settlement through bankruptcy, it might make it harder for victims to get more money through jury trials while also protecting the company's finances. For a lot of plaintiffs and their families, the bankruptcy hold is simply one more thing that makes their long and hard fight for justice even harder.

A federal bankruptcy court had put a stop to thousands of ovarian cancer lawsuits related to the usage of talcum powder. This means that many victims will have to wait longer for their cases to be heard. Talcum powder cancer lawyers say that this suspension is unfair because it stops plaintiffs from moving forward with their cases while firms work out settlements in private. The U.S. Department of Justice is worried about using bankruptcy as a defense for corporations that are still making money but are facing a lot of responsibility. As the judicial and public discussion heats up, the outcome of this case might create a big precedent for future mass tort cases and change how companies deal with accusations of public health harm on a large scale.