Hundreds of consumers have filed lawsuits claiming that Avon® talc-based powders caused them to develop cancer. Many of these claims link Avon’s talc to asbestos contamination, which is known to cause mesothelioma and ovarian cancer.
In August 2024, the global beauty brand filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy due, in part, to the growing number of talcum powder lawsuits against the company. Now, however, the bankruptcy is facing pushback from the company’s own insurers, who allege it was filed in bad faith and would limit payouts to victims.
Since the first Avon talc lawsuit was filed in 2010, the company has spent more than $225 Million in legal fees and settlement payouts. Currently, over 380 talc lawsuits are pending against Avon.
If you or a loved one used Avon’s talc products and were later diagnosed with asbestos-related cancer, we may be able to help you pursue compensation from a talcum powder lawsuit.
Avon Talc Lawsuits Drive Company to Bankruptcy
The first Avon Products talc lawsuit was filed in 2010. Now, almost 15 years later, Avon faces nearly 400 lawsuits and has been ordered to pay millions of dollars to victims and their loved ones.
Lawsuits against Avon are based on products purchased before the company sold their U.S. operations in 2016.
In the latest Avon talc verdict, a jury ordered the company to pay over $24 Million to a former Chicago janitor with mesothelioma, who worked in the company’s factory. In December 2022, an Avon talc verdict awarded over $50 Million to an Arizona woman.
Between the payouts and the attorney fees, Avon has already paid over $225 Million, without taking into account the company’s many other debts.
By filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, Avon may be able to:
- Resolve all current talc litigation against the company
- Prevent any future talcum powder claims from being filed against them
- Set money aside in asbestos trust funds for future victims
- Save money on litigation expenses while still providing for injured Americans
This approach rivals Johnson & Johnson’s recent failed attempt at declaring bankruptcy to end talc ovarian cancer litigation against the company.
The Avon Company, which is the North American spinoff of Avon, isn’t part of the Avon Products Inc. bankruptcy. Individual talc lawsuits can still be filed against The Avon Company in the United States.
Stay informed on all of the latest talcum powder updates, from bankruptcy attempts to jury verdicts.
Insurers Push Back: Is Avon’s Bankruptcy a Legal Tactic?
On July 16, 2025, several major insurers asked the Delaware bankruptcy court to either reject Avon's Chapter 11 bankruptcy case or convert it to a Chapter 7 liquidation, arguing that the current case fails to "maximize the value of the estate."
Unlike Chapter 7 bankruptcy, which involves liquidating a company’s assets and shutting down operations, Chapter 11 allows a business like Avon to keep operating while reorganizing its debts.
In court filings, the insurers allege that:
- Avon's Chapter 11 plan would force talc plaintiffs to seek compensation from just $30 Million in insurance coverage, leaving little for those harmed after administrative fees are paid
- The company lacks a legitimate purpose for seeking bankruptcy protection
- The plan fails to distribute proceeds from the sale of its assets to talc plaintiffs or other creditors
If the court sides with the insurers, Avon’s bankruptcy could be dismissed, allowing talc lawsuits to move forward in civil court instead of being paused or handled through a bankruptcy trust. A hearing on the matter is set for July 31, 2025.
In the meantime, it's not too late to take legal action. Whether the bankruptcy proceeds or is dismissed, filing a claim now can help preserve your right to pursue an Avon talc powder settlement.
Avon Talc Products & Asbestos-Related Cancers
Avon is no stranger to talc litigation, with hundreds of lawsuits having been filed against the company because of exposure to asbestos-contaminated talc in their factories or products.
Talc is often used in loose powder cosmetic products like talcum powder, baby powder, blush, and eye shadow. Talc can help with consistency and prevent caking.
However, when talc is contaminated with even the smallest amount of asbestos, consumers who use these products are put at risk.
Exposure to asbestos in talcum powder may cause:
- Mesothelioma
- Ovarian cancer
- Lung cancer
Sadly, Avon is far from the only cosmetic or personal care brand reeling from talcum powder lawsuits and the dangerous choices they made decades ago. Johnson & Johnson currently faces over 62,000 talc cancer lawsuits.
Since 1979, Sokolove Law has helped families hold powerful companies like Avon and J&J accountable. Call (800) 647-3434 now to see if we can help your family.
Avon Talc Products
A number of different Avon personal care products and cosmetics contained talc over the years. These were usually items like perfumed talc powders, makeup, deodorant, and more.
Some Avon talc products include:
- Avon Black Suede Talc Powder
- Avon Bird of Paradise Perfumed Talc
- Avon fmg Glimmer Wash-Off Waterproof Mascara
- Avon Pearls & Lace Talc
- Avon Microbiome Deodorant Stick
- Avon Skin So Soft Satin Talc
- Avon Timeless Body Powder
- Avon Unforgettable Perfumed Talc
- Avon Wild Country Talc Powder
This is only a partial list of Avon products that had talc over the years. Many of these items have since been discontinued or reformulated without talc due to rising concerns over asbestos contamination and related health risks.
Does Avon Powder Contain Talc Still?
After decades of selling talc-based cosmetics and personal care products, Avon removed talc from their products in 2020 — but only in the United States.
Avon continues to sell talc products across the globe, potentially putting consumers on other continents at serious risk to this day.
Even so, consumers and workers who were exposed to these products decades ago may still be at risk. Cancers caused by asbestos can take 20-50 years to develop, leaving many families in danger of getting sick.
Get Help Filing an Avon Talcum Powder Lawsuit
Companies like Avon should ensure their products are safe before making them available to the public. However, if their products cause harm, these companies should be held responsible.
As a national asbestos law firm, Sokolove Law can help families in all 50 states seek justice and compensation from an Avon talcum powder lawsuit.
Our mesothelioma lawyers have:
- Over 45 years of experience standing up to powerful corporations
- Successfully handled over 9,000+ asbestos exposure claims
- Secured more than $5.7 Billion for families impacted by asbestos
Many of our clients start receiving compensation in as few as 90 days, and there are no upfront costs or hourly fees to work with us.
Contact Sokolove Law now to find out if we can fight for the compensation you deserve.
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