Shocking $966M Talc Verdict Hits Johnson & Johnson: Attorney Says It Was No Surprise in Mesothelioma Case
In a stunning blow to one of America’s biggest corporations, a Los Angeles jury slammed Johnson & Johnson with a $966 million verdict in a talc lawsuit that has reignited fears over baby powder cancer risks. The massive award to the family of a late California woman underscores growing scrutiny on J&J’s asbestos-tainted products.
The Johnson & Johnson talc verdict marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing talc lawsuit battles, where mesothelioma claims linked to baby powder cancer have surged. This punitive damages-heavy ruling highlights the fierce debate around J&J asbestos contamination and its role in deadly diseases. As talc lawsuit filings climb past 67,000 nationwide, this decision could signal tougher times ahead for the pharmaceutical giant amid mesothelioma awareness campaigns.
The verdict came down on October 7, 2025, in Los Angeles Superior Court, awarding $16 million in compensatory damages and a whopping $950 million in punitive damages to the three adult children of Mae Moore. Moore, an 88-year-old pastor’s wife from California, died in 2021 from mesothelioma—just a year after her diagnosis and mere months after filing suit against Johnson & Johnson. Her family argued that decades of using J&J’s talcum powder products exposed her to asbestos, the known carcinogen behind her rare lung cancer.
Danny Kraft, of counsel at the Dallas-based firm Dean Omar Branham Shirley, one of the lead plaintiffs’ attorneys, told reporters he “wasn’t surprised” by the jury’s decision. “This is a number to send a message,” Kraft said in an exclusive interview, emphasizing the jurors’ clear intent to hold J&J accountable for what he called a “corporate cover-up.” He pointed to internal documents revealed during the trial, showing J&J knew about asbestos risks in its talc supply chain as far back as the 1970s but downplayed them to consumers.
Kraft’s team presented evidence that Moore dusted herself and her family with J&J’s iconic baby powder for hygiene and comfort over four decades. The product, once a staple in American bathrooms, has faced relentless fire since studies in the 2010s linked prolonged talc use to mesothelioma and ovarian cancer. J&J discontinued its talc-based baby powder in the U.S. and Canada in 2020, citing shifting consumer preferences, but critics argue it was a direct response to mounting litigation.
Johnson & Johnson, in a statement, vowed to appeal the ruling vigorously. “We fundamentally disagree with the verdict and the science behind it,” the company said. “Our talc products do not contain asbestos and do not cause cancer. This outcome does not change the facts.” The pharma behemoth has shelled out billions in settlements already, agreeing to a $6.5 billion global resolution for ovarian cancer claims earlier this year, though it faces resistance in bankruptcy court. For mesothelioma cases like Moore’s, J&J has settled about 95% of claims but insists the link to its products is unproven.
Legal experts hailed the verdict as a watershed. “Punitive damages this high scream corporate irresponsibility,” said Mark Lanier, a prominent trial lawyer who has won multimillion-dollar talc cases against J&J. “Juries across the U.S. are fed up with Big Pharma’s denial tactics.” Public reaction poured in on social media, with hashtags like #TalcTruth and #BanBabyPowder trending nationwide. Survivors and families shared stories of loss, demanding stricter FDA oversight on cosmetics.
For everyday Americans, this Johnson & Johnson talc verdict ripples far beyond the courtroom. Millions who grew up reaching for that pink bottle in medicine cabinets now question long-term health risks, potentially spurring a wave of personal injury claims. Economically, it pressures J&J’s stock—already down 2% post-verdict—and could accelerate broader product liability reforms in Congress. Health advocates push for mandatory asbestos testing in all powders, while lifestyle shifts toward cornstarch alternatives gain steam among parents and seniors alike.
The case’s timing adds urgency, coming just days after a South Carolina jury sided with J&J in a similar mesothelioma trial— a rare win for the defense. Yet with over 67,000 plaintiffs still in the queue, from California to Connecticut, the talc lawsuit saga shows no signs of slowing. Kraft predicts more “message-sending” verdicts unless J&J fully embraces transparency.
As the appeal process unfolds, this ruling reinforces a hard truth: consumer trust in household brands hangs by a thread when safety secrets surface. Families like the Moores’ remind us that behind every lawsuit is a life upended by what should have been harmless powder.
By Sam Michael
Follow and subscribe to us for push notifications on the latest breaking news and in-depth stories—stay informed, stay ahead.