CONSEQUENCES

Johnson & Johnson Ordered to Pay $4.7 Billion to Women in Talcum Powder Lawsuit

Nearly two-dozen women and their families have said asbestos in the company’s baby powder caused or contributed to their ovarian cancer.

A St. Louis Circuit Court jury has ordered Johnson & Johnson to pay out about $4.7 billion in damages to nearly two-dozen women and their families. The claimants said asbestos in the company’s baby powder caused or contributed to them developing ovarian cancer. After finding that the company failed to adequately warn consumers about the product’s cancer risks, the jury awarded more than $4 billion in punitive damages and a remaining $550 million in compensatory damages to the women—some of whom have already died—and their families. Johnson & Johnson said in a statement on Thursday that it was “deeply disappointed” by the judgment and plans to appeal.