Johnson & Johnson ordered to pay $40 million to two women in latest talc trial

Core Points - A California jury awarded $40 million to two women who claimed Johnson & Johnson's baby powder caused their ovarian cancer, with $18 million to Monica Kent and $22 million to Deborah Schultz and her husband [1] - Johnson & Johnson plans to appeal the verdict, asserting confidence in overturning what they consider an aberrant decision [2] - The plaintiffs used J&J's baby powder for 40 years, with both women undergoing significant medical treatments for their cancer diagnoses [3] Company Knowledge and Response - The attorney for the plaintiffs argued that Johnson & Johnson was aware of the cancer risks associated with their product since the 1960s and attempted to conceal this information [4] - Johnson & Johnson's attorney countered that there is no substantial evidence linking talc to cancer, claiming that the connection was suggested by the plaintiffs' lawyers rather than supported by health authorities [5] Legal Context - Johnson & Johnson is facing over 67,000 lawsuits related to cancer claims from its talc products, maintaining that their products are safe and free from asbestos [6] - The company has attempted to resolve litigation through bankruptcy, but these attempts have been rejected by federal courts, leading to the current trial being the first since the latest bankruptcy effort was dismissed [7] Historical Legal Outcomes - Prior to the bankruptcy attempts, Johnson & Johnson had a mixed record in talc-related trials, with some verdicts reaching as high as $4.69 billion awarded to plaintiffs [8] - Most lawsuits focus on ovarian cancer claims, while a smaller number involve mesothelioma, with some cases proceeding to trial despite previous settlements [9] - In the past year, Johnson & Johnson has faced significant verdicts in mesothelioma cases, including a notable $900 million verdict in Los Angeles [10]