Johnson & Johnson Ordered to Pay $40 Million in Latest Talc Lawsuit Verdict
A Los Angeles jury has ordered pharmaceutical giant Johnson & Johnson to pay $40 million to two women who assert the company’s talcum powder products caused their ovarian cancer. This latest verdict on Friday marks another significant development in the company’s protracted legal battle over the safety of its iconic talc-based powders.
Plaintiffs Awarded Millions Amidst Claims of Brand Loyalty
The recent judgment allocates $18 million to plaintiff Monica Kent and $22 million to Deborah Schultz and her husband. Their attorney, Daniel Robinson of the Robinson Calcagnie law firm, underscored the plaintiffs’ long-standing loyalty to the brand, stating, “The only thing they did was be loyal to Johnson & Johnson as a customer for only 50 years. That loyalty was a one-way street.”
J&J Maintains Talc Safety, Plans Appeal
Johnson & Johnson has consistently denied any links between its talc products and cancer, asserting that decades of independent scientific evaluations confirm talc’s safety, its lack of asbestos, and its inability to cause cancer. Erik Haas, J&J’s worldwide vice president of litigation, stated the company plans to appeal the verdict, highlighting its record of winning “16 of the 17 ovarian cancer cases it previously tried.”
Another Significant Payout for J&J
This $40 million award follows a separate California jury ruling in October, which compelled J&J to pay a staggering $966 million to the family of a woman who died from mesothelioma. That case centered on allegations that the baby powder she used was contaminated with asbestos, a known carcinogen.
Operational Shifts and Future Challenges
The company’s talc-related legal challenges have led to significant operational shifts. In 2023, Johnson & Johnson ceased selling talc-based powder products worldwide. This global discontinuation came after the company had already replaced talc with cornstarch in its baby powder sold in most of North America in 2020, a decision made in response to declining sales amid ongoing litigation and public concern.
Earlier this year, in April, a U.S. bankruptcy court judge rejected Johnson & Johnson’s proposal to pay $9 billion to settle a vast array of ovarian and other gynecological cancer litigation claims tied to its talc products. These legal and financial pressures continue to shape the future of a product once considered a household staple.
