Johnson & Johnson Ordered to Pay $966 Million in Latest Talc Cancer Lawsuit
Johnson & Johnson has been hit with a record-breaking $966 million verdict in a Los Angeles mesothelioma cancer case. The lawsuit was filed by the family of Mae Moore, an 88-year-old woman who died from mesothelioma in 2021. The family claimed that Moore’s use of Johnson & Johnson’s talc-based baby powder caused her illness.
The jury awarded Moore’s family $16 million in compensatory damages and $950 million in punitive damages, citing the company’s negligence and failure to warn consumers about the risks associated with their product. The verdict is believed to be one of the largest mesothelioma awards ever, although it may be reduced on appeal.
According to court documents, internal company records showed that Johnson & Johnson knew their talc products tested positive for asbestos fibers but failed to disclose this information to regulators or the public. Asbestos is a known cause of mesothelioma, a rare and aggressive form of cancer.
Johnson & Johnson has denied any wrongdoing, maintaining that their talc products are safe and do not cause cancer. The company stopped selling talc-based baby powder in 2020 and switched to a cornstarch-based formula. Despite this, Johnson & Johnson faces tens of thousands of similar lawsuits alleging their talc products caused cancer.
The company plans to appeal the verdict, calling it “egregious and unconstitutional.” However, this ruling marks a significant setback for Johnson & Johnson, underscoring the growing legal and financial risks tied to decades of consumer exposure to talc products allegedly contaminated with asbestos. #Johnson & Johnson Ordered to Pay $966 Million in Latest Talc Cancer Lawsuit#
