ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) - A Minnesota jury awarded a significant sum of $65.5 million on Friday to Anna Jean Houghton Carley, a mother of three who alleged that talcum products manufactured by Johnson & Johnson exposed her to asbestos, which contributed to her developing mesothelioma. This aggressive cancer primarily affects the lining of the lungs and is closely associated with asbestos exposure.
The jury concluded that Carley, who is currently 37 years old, should receive compensation due to her long-term use of Johnson & Johnson's baby powder throughout her childhood, a product that her lawyers argued was knowingly contaminated with asbestos.
During the 13-day trial held in Ramsey County District Court, Carley’s legal representatives presented evidence suggesting that Johnson & Johnson not only sold but also actively marketed talc-based products to consumers, despite being aware of the potential for asbestos contamination. They emphasized that Carley's family had never received any warnings regarding the potential dangers associated with using these products on their child. Notably, the company removed its talc-based products from shelves in the United States in 2020, a decision likely influenced by these ongoing health concerns.
In response to the verdict, Erik Haas, who serves as the worldwide vice president of litigation for Johnson & Johnson, expressed the company's intention to appeal the decision. He maintained that their baby powder is safe, devoid of asbestos, and does not lead to cancer in consumers. Haas expressed confidence that the appellate court would overturn the jury's ruling.
This case forms part of a larger legal saga concerning numerous claims that talcum powder products, including Johnson & Johnson’s Baby Powder and Shower to Shower body powder, may be linked to serious health issues such as ovarian cancer and mesothelioma. Earlier this year, in 2023, Johnson & Johnson ceased the global sale of talc-based powders—a move that has attracted significant media attention and consumer scrutiny.
Haas also criticized the lawsuits, describing them as based on "junk science" and noted that extensive studies conducted over decades supposedly confirm the safety of Johnson & Johnson's Baby Powder. He argued that these products do not contain asbestos or cause cancer.
This latest verdict follows several significant rulings against Johnson & Johnson in related lawsuits. Earlier in October 2023, a California jury ordered the company to pay a substantial $966 million to the family of a woman who died from mesothelioma, claiming that the disease was a direct result of using their talcum powder contaminated with asbestos. Additionally, a jury in Los Angeles awarded $40 million earlier in the same month to two women who asserted that their ovarian cancer was caused by the company's talcum powder.
The ongoing litigation surrounding talcum products has continued to generate extensive public interest and scrutiny, reflecting broader concerns about product safety and corporate accountability within the pharmaceutical industry. Companies like Johnson & Johnson face mounting pressure to address consumer safety issues transparently, particularly when linked to severe health outcomes like cancer.
The implications of these legal findings could lead to a reevaluation of product safety standards and greater accountability for pharmaceutical corporations in the future.
