Core Points - A California jury awarded $40 million to two women, Monica Kent and Deborah Schultz, who claimed that Johnson & Johnson's talc-based baby powder caused their ovarian cancer [1][3] - Johnson & Johnson plans to appeal the verdict, asserting confidence in overturning what they consider an aberrant decision [2] - The company faces over 67,000 lawsuits related to cancer claims from its talc products, despite maintaining that its products are safe and do not cause cancer [6][8] Legal Proceedings - The jury awarded $18 million to Kent and $22 million to Schultz and her husband after determining that Johnson & Johnson was aware of the dangers of its products since the 1960s [1][4] - Johnson & Johnson's legal team argued that there is no substantial evidence linking talc to cancer, claiming that the connection was suggested by the plaintiffs' lawyers [5] - The recent trial is the first since Johnson & Johnson's bankruptcy attempts were dismissed, which had previously stalled many cases [7] Company History and Product Changes - Johnson & Johnson stopped selling talc-based baby powder in the U.S. in 2020, transitioning to a cornstarch-based product [6] - The company has experienced a mixed record in talc-related trials, with past verdicts reaching as high as $4.69 billion [8] - Recent substantial verdicts against Johnson & Johnson in mesothelioma cases indicate ongoing legal challenges, including a notable $900 million verdict in Los Angeles [10]