J&J Ordered to Pay $966M in Largest Talc Cancer Verdict

Johnson & Johnson has been ordered by a California jury to pay $966 million to the family of Mae Moore, who attributed her cancer to decades-long use of the company’s talc-based baby powder. This represents the largest award to a single user in the 15-year litigation surrounding J&J’s iconic product.

Jury Finds J&J Liable

The Los Angeles state court jury concluded that J&J was responsible for Moore’s mesothelioma, a type of cancer linked to asbestos exposure. Moore, who passed away in 2021 at age 88, was awarded $16 million in compensatory damages and $950 million in punitive damages. Moore’s family argued that J&J intentionally concealed the health risks of its talc products.

Company Response and Appeal Plans

Erik Haas, J&J’s Worldwide Vice President of Litigation, said the company plans to appeal, calling the verdict “egregious and unconstitutional” and inconsistent with other talc-related cases where J&J had prevailed.

Background on J&J Talc Litigation

The verdict comes as J&J faces multiple jury trials over its talc-based baby powder, which was withdrawn from the global market in 2023. The company previously attempted to use bankruptcy proceedings to settle tens of thousands of claims but was unsuccessful.

Jessica Dean, the lawyer representing Moore’s family, said, “It took this family five years to get their day in court, and we are pleased the jury held J&J accountable.”

While J&J has already spent over $3 billion settling lawsuits alleging asbestos in its baby powder caused cancer, more than 70,000 claims remain. Many of these are consolidated for pre-trial procedures before a federal judge in New Jersey.

Past Verdicts and Ongoing Disputes

Several juries have held J&J and its Kenvue spinoff liable for users’ cancers, awarding billions in damages, though many awards were later reduced or overturned on appeal. The company maintains that its talc products never contained asbestos and do not cause cancer, asserting that its marketing practices were responsible for more than a century.

Plaintiffs cite internal documents suggesting J&J knew about asbestos in its talc since at least the early 1970s. Mae Moore reportedly used J&J baby powder and Shower-to-Shower products for nearly 80 years. Jurors concluded that the company intentionally misled her by not warning about cancer risks.

Comparisons to Previous Awards

The largest previous trial verdict against J&J was $4.7 billion in 2018 for 20 women in Missouri, later reduced to $2.1 billion on appeal, with J&J paying $2.5 billion, including interest. Moore’s award may also be reduced, as U.S. Supreme Court guidelines suggest punitive damages should not exceed 10 times compensatory awards.