Johnson & Johnson Ordered to Pay $966 Million in Talc Cancer Verdict
A Los Angeles jury on Monday ordered Johnson & Johnson (J&J) to pay $966 million to the family of a woman who died from mesothelioma, ruling that the company’s talc-based baby powder products were responsible for her cancer.
The lawsuit was filed by the family of Mae Moore, who passed away in 2021. They alleged that Johnson & Johnson’s baby powder contained asbestos fibers, which led to her developing the rare and aggressive form of cancer. According to court filings, the jury awarded $16 million in compensatory damages and $950 million in punitive damages.
Legal experts noted that the verdict amount may be reduced during the appeals process, as the U.S. Supreme Court has previously ruled that punitive damages should generally not exceed nine times the compensatory award.
Johnson & Johnson representatives did not immediately comment on the verdict. The company has consistently maintained that its products are safe, asbestos-free, and do not cause cancer.
J&J discontinued its talc-based baby powder in the United States in 2020, replacing it with a cornstarch-based formula as part of its broader product transition.
