Core Viewpoint - Johnson & Johnson has been ordered by a jury to pay $966 million in damages to the family of a woman who died from mesothelioma, linking the cancer to the company's talc products [1] Group 1: Legal Proceedings - A jury in Los Angeles County ruled that Johnson & Johnson must pay $966 million in compensation for its talc powder products, which were found to be carcinogenic [1] - The deceased, Mae Moore, was a California resident who died from mesothelioma in 2021, a rare cancer typically associated with asbestos exposure [1] - The jury awarded $16 million in compensatory damages and $950 million in punitive damages [1] Group 2: Company Response - Johnson & Johnson plans to appeal the ruling, claiming the decision is "extreme and unconstitutional" [2] - The company maintains that its baby powder does not contain asbestos and is not carcinogenic [2] - Johnson & Johnson has reportedly won 16 out of 17 appeals related to ovarian cancer cases [2] Group 3: Ongoing Litigation - Johnson & Johnson is currently facing over 67,000 lawsuits from plaintiffs alleging cancer due to the use of baby powder and other talc products [1]

Core Viewpoint - Johnson & Johnson has been ordered by a jury to pay $966 million in damages to the family of a woman who died from mesothelioma, linking the cancer to the company's talc powder products [2][3]. Group 1: Legal Proceedings and Financial Implications - The jury awarded $16 million in compensatory damages and $950 million in punitive damages, although the punitive amount may be reduced upon appeal [2]. - Johnson & Johnson plans to appeal the decision, claiming it is "extreme and unconstitutional" and alleging that the plaintiff's lawyers used "junk science" in their arguments [2][3]. - The company is currently facing over 67,000 lawsuits related to its talc products, with most claims associated with ovarian cancer rather than mesothelioma [4]. Group 2: Company Position and Product Safety - Johnson & Johnson maintains that its products are "safe, asbestos-free, and do not cause cancer," and it ceased selling talc-based baby powder in the U.S. in 2020, switching to a corn starch formula [3]. - The plaintiff's legal team argues that Johnson & Johnson was aware of the potential asbestos contamination in its talc products since the 1970s but failed to disclose this risk to the public [3][4]. Group 3: Settlement History - Johnson & Johnson has already paid over $3 billion to settle related lawsuits, but many cases are still ongoing, with most currently consolidated in federal court in New Jersey [4].

Core Viewpoint - Johnson & Johnson has been ordered by a jury to pay $966 million in damages to the family of a woman who died from mesothelioma, linking the cancer to the company's talc products [1][2]. Group 1: Legal Proceedings - The jury awarded $16 million in compensatory damages and $950 million in punitive damages, although the punitive amount may be reduced upon appeal [1]. - Johnson & Johnson plans to appeal the decision, claiming it is "extreme and unconstitutional" and alleging that the plaintiff's lawyers used "junk science" in their arguments [1][2]. - The company has faced over 67,000 lawsuits related to its talc products, with most claims associated with ovarian cancer rather than mesothelioma [2]. Group 2: Company Response and Market Reaction - Johnson & Johnson maintains that its products are safe, asbestos-free, and do not cause cancer, having ceased sales of talc-based baby powder in the U.S. in 2020 [1][2]. - Following the jury's decision, Johnson & Johnson's stock showed minimal reaction, closing up 0.39% on October 7 and slightly fluctuating thereafter, with a current share price of $188.965 and a market capitalization of $455.1 billion [2].