Mesothelioma advocates are encouraged by the outcome of a closely watched lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson. A California jury awarded ovarian cancer victims Monica Kent and Deborah Schultz a combined $40 million verdict, agreeing that the company knew for years that its talc-based baby powder product was dangerous but failed to warn consumers about the risks.
Los Angeles Jury Orders Johnson & Johnson to Pay Victims $40 Million
Before awarding $18 million to ovarian cancer victim Monica Kent and $22 million to Deborah Schultz and her husband, Dr. Albert Schultz, the Los Angeles Superior Court jury heard four weeks of testimony. Among those speaking to the jury was former FDA Commissioner David Kessler, who testified that J&J was aware of links between asbestos in mined talc and cancer since the 1970s but concealed it for decades.
Johnson & Johnson has spent the last several years both defending itself against charges of having hidden the dangers of its products and unsuccessfully seeking bankruptcy protection from the tidal wave of mesothelioma and ovarian cancer claims that have been filed by tens of thousands of victims. While company spokesman Erik Haas argued that Johnson & Johnson’s products are safe and vowed to “immediately appeal this verdict and expect to prevail as we typically do with aberrant adverse verdicts,” it is notable that the company removed all of its talc-based products from the market several years ago.
Mesothelioma and Ovarian Cancer Litigation Continues With More Trials Scheduled
There are more than 67,000 mesothelioma and ovarian cancer plaintiffs in the United States who have claims pending against Johnson & Johnson, and another 3,000 United Kingdom victims recently filed a similar action. In response to multi-million and even billion-dollar decisions against it, the company has pursued a controversial maneuver called a “Texas two-step” to use bankruptcy proceedings to settle lawsuits. The strategy paused all ovarian cancer litigation, but after a third attempt failed, the courts allowed victims to resume their pursuit of justice.
The $40 million judgment won by the two women follows another decision last October that saw a California jury award $966 million to the family of 88-year-old mesothelioma victim Mae Moore, who died from the rare form of cancer in 2021. The company is scheduled to defend itself in several more notable trials in the first half of 2026.
If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with mesothelioma or ovarian cancer, the Patient Advocates at Mesothelioma.net are here to help. Contact us today at 1-800-692-8608 to learn more.
