A jury in the United States has ruled that Johnson & Johnson must pay $65.5 million (approximately 97 billion won) in damages, accepting claims that the company's talcum powder products were contaminated with asbestos and caused mesothelioma, a cancer of the lung lining.
According to the Associated Press and other outlets on Monday (local time), a Minnesota jury found that plaintiff Anna Jean Horton-Calley, 37, used Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder throughout her childhood and was exposed to asbestos during that period, leading to mesothelioma, an aggressive cancer primarily associated with asbestos exposure. Johnson & Johnson plans to appeal the verdict.
During the 13-day trial at Ramsey County District Court, the plaintiff's legal team argued that Johnson & Johnson sold and marketed its talc-based powder despite knowing the product could be contaminated with asbestos, and that there were no warnings about potential risks from using the product. The product in question was removed from U.S. store shelves in 2020.
"This case was about truth and accountability, not just compensation," said Ben Broly, attorney for the plaintiff. In contrast, Erik Haas, Johnson & Johnson's vice president of litigation, countered that the company's baby powder is safe, does not contain asbestos, and does not cause cancer, stating that "we expect this to be overturned on appeal."
This verdict is the latest development in a long-running legal battle over claims that talc contained in Johnson & Johnson's Baby Powder and Shower to Shower body powder is linked to ovarian cancer and mesothelioma. Johnson & Johnson discontinued sales of talc-containing powders worldwide in 2023.
Earlier this month, a Los Angeles jury ordered the company to pay $40 million to two women who claimed talcum powder caused their ovarian cancer. In October, a California jury ordered the company to pay $966 million to the family of a deceased mesothelioma patient who alleged asbestos contamination in baby powder, among a series of related rulings.
