Group claim over talc products launched in Scotland against Johnson & Johnson

All the claimants either used the firm’s talc products which, it is alleged, were contaminated with asbestos – a known carcinogen – or are family members of individuals who have passed away. The claim also details how J&J had known about the dangers of contaminated talc for decades.

This is the first contaminated-talc action to be raised in the Scottish courts, and mirrors similar actions already before the courts around the world. Unlike other jurisdictions, in Scotland certain immediate family members can bring claims for damages if an individual has already passed away, rather than just a single personal representative.

Others are still able to sign up to join the claim, including men who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma or peritoneal cancers.

The proposed representative party for the claim is Helene Rose, 67 from Aberdeen, who used talc for decades before being diagnosed with Stage 4 Ovarian cancer in 2024.

She said: “Ovarian cancer is known as the silent killer because it can be confused with so many other conditions, particularly in women of a certain age. Two-thirds are diagnosed too late, like me, when the cancer has already spread. 

“I don’t have any other reason for having this disease. I’ve got no family history of cancer. Although I was adopted, I now know my extended birth family, and none of them have cancer. In addition, I do not have any of the genetic markers; I tested negative for those.

“One would assume that Johnson & Johnson, being associated with baby powder, would be trustworthy and have integrity. You would expect their powder to be safe and pure enough for babies. I think it is terrible, what they have done, in the manufacture, marketing, and sale of the powder and the extent to which they have gone to cover up the evidence of their wrongdoing. Companies should know that they can’t get away with doing this kind of thing and should be held accountable for ruining people’s lives.”

Lindsay Davidson, managing director of Lefevres, the firm representing the Scottish claimants, commented: “There have been numerous adverse findings against Johnson & Johnson in the United States, in which they have been found to have not just sold contaminated talc but to have known about the danger that it posed to customers for decades. This is an international scandal, and we are pleased to be representing Scottish claimants in their efforts to secure justice.”

The case has recently been raised at the Court of Session by Lefevres, which is instructing Andrew Smith KC and Adam Black, both of whom are members of Compass Chambers.

The action will first go to a permissions hearing to determine whether the action can proceed as a group and Mrs Rose will seek authority from the court to proceed as the group representative party.

In England and Wales, a group action claim was brought by KP Law in October 2025, with the first hearing in London on 6 February. That claim, now with almost 4,000 claimants signed up, alleges that J&J “suppressed information that might indicate that baby powder was contaminated with asbestos”, and “acted in bad faith, to protect the reputation and profit-making potential of baby powder and the goodwill attached to their name”.