A Minnesota jury awarded $65.5 million to Anna Jean Houghton Carley, a 37-year-old mother of three, after concluding that Johnson & Johnson’s talc products contributed to her mesothelioma diagnosis.
The Verdict
Carley’s case was heard for 13 days in Ramsey County District Court. The jury found that the company sold and marketed talc-based baby powder despite knowing it could be contaminated with asbestos. Carley’s attorneys argued that her family was never warned about the potential dangers of using the product on their child. The product was taken off U.S. shelves in 2020.
What Mesothelioma Is
Mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer that primarily affects the lining of the lungs. It is caused almost exclusively by exposure to the carcinogen asbestos. Carley’s diagnosis was traced back to her lifelong use of Johnson & Johnson baby powder.
Carley’s Legal Team
Ben Braly, Carley’s attorney, stated: “This case was not about compensation only. It was about truth and accountability.” Braly’s team emphasized that consumers had no warning about the asbestos risk while using the product.
Johnson & Johnson’s Response
Erik Haas, worldwide vice president of litigation for Johnson & Johnson, countered that the company’s baby powder is safe, does not contain asbestos, and does not cause cancer. He said he expects an appellate court to reverse the decision. “These lawsuits are predicated on ‘junk science,’ refuted by decades of studies that demonstrate Johnson & Johnson’s Baby Powder is safe, does not contain asbestos and does not cause cancer,” Haas said in a statement after the verdict.
The Broader Legal Context
This verdict joins a series of lawsuits alleging a link between Johnson & Johnson’s talc products and cancer. Earlier this month, a Los Angeles jury awarded $40 million to two women who claimed the talc powder caused their ovarian cancer. In October, a California jury ordered the company to pay $966 million to the family of a woman who died of mesothelioma, citing asbestos contamination.
Company Actions
Johnson & Johnson stopped selling talc-based powder worldwide in 2023. The company has announced plans to appeal the Minnesota verdict.
Key Takeaways
- A Minnesota jury awarded $65.5 million to Anna Jean Houghton Carley after linking Johnson & Johnson talc to her mesothelioma.
- The case highlighted that consumers were never warned about asbestos contamination in the product.
- Johnson & Johnson maintains that its baby powder is safe and plans to appeal the decision.
The verdict underscores the ongoing legal battles surrounding talc products and their alleged health risks. The outcome will likely influence future litigation and regulatory scrutiny of the industry.
