Global healthcare giant Johnson & Johnson (J&J) has suffered a fresh legal setback after a California jury ordered the company to pay $40 million (approximately Rs 332 crore) to two women who linked long-term use of its talc-based baby powder to ovarian cancer.
The verdict, delivered by the Los Angeles Superior Court, found that Johnson & Johnson failed to warn consumers about known cancer risks, despite being allegedly aware of potential dangers for decades.
Jury Finds Company Negligent
The jury awarded $18 million (Rs 150 crore) to Monica Kent and $22 million (₹182 crore) to Deborah Schultz and her husband, concluding that the company’s talc products were a substantial factor in causing their illnesses.
Both women told the court they used Johnson & Johnson baby powder almost daily for nearly 40 years, primarily after bathing. Kent was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2014, while Schultz received the diagnosis in 2018.
Allegations Trace Back to the 1960s
During closing arguments, plaintiffs’ attorney Andy Birchfield said internal company documents showed Johnson & Johnson had been aware since the 1960s of studies linking talc use to ovarian cancer risk. He alleged the company chose not to alert consumers, prioritising product sales over public safety.
Jurors also heard detailed testimony about the women’s medical ordeals, which included major surgeries, prolonged chemotherapy, and long-term physical suffering.
Johnson & Johnson Rejects Verdict
Johnson & Johnson strongly disputed the ruling and announced plans to immediately appeal.
In a statement, Erik Haas, J&J’s Worldwide Vice President of Litigation, said the company remains confident the verdict will be overturned. He described the decision as inconsistent with scientific consensus, arguing that no US health authority has definitively linked talc use to ovarian cancer.
The company also reiterated its long-standing claim that talc particles cannot travel from external use to the ovaries, calling the plaintiffs’ arguments scientifically flawed.
Over 67,000 Talc Lawsuits Still Pending
Court records show Johnson & Johnson currently faces more than 67,000 lawsuits related to its talc products. Most involve ovarian cancer claims, while others allege links to mesothelioma, a rare and aggressive cancer often associated with asbestos exposure.
Although J&J maintains that its talc products were asbestos-free and safe, it stopped selling talc-based baby powder in the US in 2020, switching to a cornstarch-based alternative amid mounting legal pressure.
Bankruptcy Strategy Rejected Again
In recent years, Johnson & Johnson attempted to resolve the lawsuits through a controversial bankruptcy-based settlement plan exceeding $10 billion. Federal courts have rejected this strategy three times, most recently in April 2025, allowing cases to move forward to trial.
The Kent–Schultz case is among the first to reach a jury following the dismissal of the latest bankruptcy attempt.
Legal Battle Far From Over
Legal analysts say the latest verdict could intensify pressure on Johnson & Johnson as juries continue to scrutinise its handling of consumer safety disclosures. While the company has succeeded in overturning or reducing some verdicts on appeal, repeated jury findings suggest the talc controversy is far from settled.
For one of the world’s most recognisable healthcare brands, the ruling is another reminder that its decades-old baby powder legacy continues to face serious legal and reputational challenges.
