A Minnesota jury awarded $65.5 million to Anna Jean Houghton Carley, a 37-year-old mother of three, who alleged that Johnson & Johnson’s talcum powder products contained asbestos, contributing to her diagnosis of mesothelioma, a severe form of cancer affecting the lungs. The verdict came after a 13-day trial in Ramsey County District Court.
Carley’s legal team argued that Johnson & Johnson continued to market talc-based products despite the known risk of asbestos contamination, emphasizing that her family had not received warnings about the potential dangers associated with their use. Johnson & Johnson announced plans to appeal the decision, maintaining that their baby powder is safe and free of asbestos.
The case adds to the ongoing legal challenges for the company related to claims linking talcum powder to various forms of cancer, including ovarian cancer and mesothelioma. Earlier, in October, a California jury ordered the company to pay $966 million to the family of a woman who died of mesothelioma, claiming that her illness was due to contaminated baby powder. Johnson & Johnson ceased selling talc-based powder globally in 2023 and removed the product from U.S. shelves back in 2020.
In response to the verdict, Erik Haas, the company’s vice president of litigation, criticized the case as based on “junk science,” asserting a long history of studies supporting the safety of their products.
Why this story matters: The significant jury award highlights ongoing concerns about product safety in consumer goods and accountability for corporations.
Key takeaway: The case marks a crucial moment in the long-standing litigation over the safety of talcum powder products linked to cancer.
Opposing viewpoint: Johnson & Johnson maintains that its baby powder is safe and that lawsuit claims are based on unsubstantiated research.
