Johnson & Johnson Ordered To Pay $966 Million In Landmark Talc Cancer Verdict
Los Angeles — A California jury has ordered Johnson & Johnson (J&J) to pay $966 million to the family of a woman who died from mesothelioma, marking one of the largest verdicts yet in the company’s long-running talc litigation battle.
The decision, delivered late Monday by a Los Angeles County Superior Court jury, found that J&J’s talc-based baby powder contained asbestos fibers that led to the death of Mae Moore, 88, who passed away in 2021.
The verdict includes $16 million in compensatory damages and a staggering $950 million in punitive damages — a figure that may later be reduced on appeal.
Family Blames Talc, Company Denies Fault
Moore’s family filed the lawsuit in 2021, alleging that years of using J&J’s baby powder exposed her to asbestos and caused her cancer.
The company has consistently denied the claims, asserting that its talc products are safe, asbestos-free, and scientifically proven not to cause cancer.
In a statement following the verdict, Erik Haas, J&J’s worldwide vice president of litigation, called the outcome “egregious and unconstitutional”, pledging an immediate appeal.
“The plaintiff lawyers in this case based their arguments on junk science that never should have been presented to the jury,” Haas said.
Moore’s attorney, Trey Branham, welcomed the ruling, saying it represents long-overdue accountability.
“We are hopeful that Johnson & Johnson will finally accept responsibility for these senseless deaths,” Branham said.
J&J Faces More Than 67,000 Talc Lawsuits
The company currently faces over 67,000 lawsuits across the United States from plaintiffs who claim that its talc-based baby powder and body products caused various forms of cancer, including ovarian cancer and mesothelioma.
While the vast majority of the claims involve ovarian cancer, mesothelioma cases — linked directly to asbestos exposure — represent a smaller subset but have yielded some of the most substantial verdicts.
J&J stopped selling its talc-based baby powder in the U.S. in 2020, transitioning to a cornstarch-based alternative amid growing legal and public pressure.
The company has repeatedly tried to resolve its mounting liabilities through bankruptcy proceedings, but U.S. courts have rejected its reorganization plans three times, citing concerns over fairness and jurisdiction.
Mixed Results In Recent Trials
In recent months, J&J has faced a string of mixed verdicts. Some juries have cleared the company of liability — including a recent South Carolina case — while others have returned substantial judgments in favor of plaintiffs.
Monday’s ruling, however, stands out for its magnitude. Legal experts note that the nearly $1 billion total underscores the jury’s view of the company’s alleged misconduct.
Still, under U.S. Supreme Court guidelines, punitive damages are typically capped at nine times the compensatory amount, meaning the award could be reduced significantly on appeal.
J&J has previously succeeded in overturning or lowering similar awards, such as an Oregon case where a judge vacated a $260 million verdict and ordered a retrial.
A Pivotal Moment In J&J’s Legal Saga
The verdict marks another major blow to J&J’s efforts to move past the talc scandal that has dogged its reputation for over a decade.
While the company maintains its innocence, each new ruling adds pressure to reach a comprehensive settlement with the thousands of remaining plaintiffs — a move it has so far resisted.
For now, the Moore family’s victory adds to the growing list of juries holding J&J accountable, keeping one of America’s most iconic brands under intense legal and public scrutiny.
