Johnson & Johnson faces $966 million payout in recent talc cancer lawsuit
In a recent ruling, Johnson & Johnson faces a significant legal setback, ordered to pay $966 million in damages related to its talc products. A Los Angeles jury held the company responsible for the death of Mae Moore, an 88-year-old California woman who succumbed to mesothelioma in 2021. Her family initiated the lawsuit in the same year, alleging that J&J’s talc baby powder contained asbestos fibers leading to her rare form of cancer.
Details of the Verdict
The jury’s decision included a $16 million compensatory award and a hefty $950 million in punitive damages. This verdict falls under scrutiny as it may be reduced during the appeals process. The U.S. Supreme Court has guidelines suggesting punitive damages should typically not exceed nine times the compensatory amount.
Johnson & Johnson’s Response
Erik Haas, J&J’s vice-president of litigation, expressed strong discontent with the ruling. He described the verdict as “egregious and unconstitutional,” stating the plaintiff’s case relied on what he termed “junk science.” J&J maintains that its products are safe and asbestos-free, asserting that there is no causal relationship between its talc products and cancer.
Context and Implications
In 2020, Johnson & Johnson ceased sales of talc-based baby powder in the United States, opting for cornstarch alternatives. Mesothelioma, the cancer linked to asbestos exposure, is part of an ongoing legal challenge for the company. Currently, J&J is battling claims from over 67,000 plaintiffs who allege they developed cancer after using its talc products.
- Majority of lawsuits claim ovarian cancer linked to talc use.
- Mesothelioma claims are a smaller subset of the total lawsuits.
- Efforts to resolve litigation through bankruptcy have met federal court rejections.
Legal Landscape
Despite previous settlements, J&J has not achieved a nationwide settlement concerning these claims. The past year has seen a series of significant verdicts in mesothelioma cases against the company, with this latest ruling being one of the largest. Nonetheless, J&J has seen successes in other trials, such as a recent case in South Carolina where the jury ruled in favor of the company.
As legal proceedings continue, Johnson & Johnson’s challenges surrounding its talc products will remain a focal point in litigation and public discussions regarding consumer safety and corporate accountability.
