Johnson & Johnson Hit with $966 Million Verdict in Talc Cancer Lawsuit
A Los Angeles jury has ordered Johnson & Johnson to pay $966 million in damages in a talc-related cancer lawsuit. The verdict includes $16 million in compensatory damages and $950 million in punitive damages. The case was filed by the family of Mae Moore, who died from mesothelioma at 88 in 2021. J&J plans to appeal the verdict, describing it as 'egregious and unconstitutional'. This case is part of over 67,000 lawsuits against J&J claiming cancer diagnoses from talc products. J&J ceased selling talc-based baby powder in the US in 2020 and has faced mixed results in previous trials.
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Johnson & Johnson (J&J), the multinational pharmaceutical and consumer goods corporation, faces a significant legal setback as a Los Angeles jury orders the company to pay $966 million in damages in a talc-related cancer lawsuit. This verdict marks another chapter in the ongoing litigation surrounding J&J's talc-based products.
Verdict Details
A Los Angeles jury has ruled against Johnson & Johnson in a lawsuit filed by the family of Mae Moore, who died from mesothelioma at 88 in 2021. The family alleged that J&J's talc baby powder products contained asbestos fibers that caused Moore's cancer. The jury's decision resulted in a substantial financial penalty for the company:
| Damage Type | Amount (in millions) |
|---|---|
| Compensatory | $16.00 |
| Punitive | $950.00 |
| Total | $966.00 |
J&J's Response
Johnson & Johnson has announced its intention to appeal the verdict immediately. Erik Haas, a spokesperson for the company, described the ruling as "egregious and unconstitutional." J&J maintains that its products are safe and do not contain asbestos, accusing the plaintiff's lawyers of using "junk science" in their arguments.
Ongoing Litigation
This case is part of a larger legal challenge facing Johnson & Johnson:
- Over 67,000 plaintiffs have filed lawsuits against J&J, claiming cancer diagnoses from baby powder and talc products.
- Most cases involve ovarian cancer claims.
- J&J ceased selling talc-based baby powder in the US in 2020, switching to a cornstarch-based alternative.
- The company has attempted to resolve the litigation through bankruptcy three times, but federal courts have rejected these efforts.
Recent Legal Outcomes
Johnson & Johnson's legal battles over its talc products have seen mixed results:
- Several substantial verdicts in mesothelioma cases have been awarded against the company.
- J&J has also won some trials.
- The company has successfully reduced some awards on appeal.
This latest verdict underscores the ongoing challenges J&J faces in defending its talc products and managing the associated legal risks. As the appeals process begins, the case continues to highlight the complex intersection of corporate responsibility, product safety, and legal liability in the pharmaceutical and consumer goods industry.
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