ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) – A Minnesota jury awarded $65.5 million on Friday to Anna Jean Houghton Carley, a mother of three, who asserted that Johnson & Johnson's talcum products exposed her to asbestos, which contributed to her developing mesothelioma, a type of cancer affecting the lining of the lungs. The decision came after a lengthy trial in Ramsey County District Court, marking a significant moment in the ongoing legal battles surrounding the company's talc products.
Jurors concluded that Carley, 37, deserved compensation from Johnson & Johnson after using its baby powder throughout her childhood, which her legal team argued was contaminated with asbestos. Carley, diagnosed with mesothelioma, contended that the company marketed and sold talc-based products while being aware of the risks associated with asbestos exposure. The legal team emphasized that Carley’s family was never warned about the potential hazards linked to the use of the baby powder on children. Notably, the product was removed from U.S. shelves in 2020.
In response to the verdict, Johnson & Johnson announced plans to appeal. Erik Haas, the company's worldwide vice president of litigation, maintained that the baby powder is safe and does not contain asbestos or cause cancer. He expressed confidence that an appellate court would overturn the jury’s decision. Following the verdict, Haas stated that "these lawsuits are predicated on 'junk science,'" referring to the decades of studies asserting the safety of their baby powder.
This verdict is part of an extensive legal history regarding claims linking Johnson & Johnson's talc products, such as Baby Powder and Shower to Shower body powder, to serious health issues, including ovarian cancer and mesothelioma. Just days before Carley's case, a jury in Los Angeles awarded $40 million to two women who also claimed that the company’s talcum powder caused their ovarian cancer. Additionally, in October 2023, another California jury ordered Johnson & Johnson to pay $966 million to the family of a woman who passed away from mesothelioma, attributing the disease to the asbestos contamination in baby powder.
The scrutiny surrounding Johnson & Johnson's talc products has intensified over the years, especially in light of the company's decision to cease global sales of talc-based powders in 2023. The ongoing lawsuits reflect a complex intersection of consumer safety, corporate responsibility, and the validity of scientific claims surrounding the products.
Carley's attorney, Ben Braly, highlighted that the case transcended mere compensation, focusing instead on broader issues of truth and accountability within the company’s practices. As legal challenges continue to mount against Johnson & Johnson, the outcomes of these cases could have significant implications for the company's reputation and financial standing in the marketplace.
The debate over Johnson & Johnson's talc products illustrates the larger conversation regarding public health, regulatory oversight, and the importance of transparent communication regarding product safety risks. As appellate courts consider appeals and more trials unfold, the stakes remain high for all parties involved.
