Landmark Verdict Rocks Johnson & Johnson
On July 12, 2018, a St. Louis jury awarded $4.69 billion to 22 women who claimed Johnson & Johnson’s talc-based baby powder caused their ovarian cancer. The verdict was the largest talc-related jury award in history.
The award included $550 million in compensatory damages ($25 million per plaintiff) and $4.14 billion in punitive damages, signaling the jury’s belief that J&J had acted with reckless disregard for consumer safety.
The Plaintiffs’ Case
The 22 women, from 12 different states, alleged that decades of using J&J’s baby powder and Shower to Shower products caused them to develop ovarian cancer. Their attorneys presented:
Internal documents showing:
- J&J knew about potential asbestos contamination in talc supplies
- Company tested talc products and found asbestos fibers
- Executives discussed contamination concerns but continued sales
- Marketing specifically targeted women for genital hygiene use
Scientific evidence linking:
- Talc particles migrating through the reproductive tract to ovaries
- Chronic inflammation leading to cancer development
- Asbestos contamination in talc increasing cancer risk
Johnson & Johnson’s Defense
J&J maintained throughout the trial that:
- Their talc products were safe and asbestos-free
- Decades of testing confirmed product safety
- Scientific evidence did not support a causal link to ovarian cancer
- The plaintiffs’ experts relied on flawed studies
The company announced it would appeal the verdict, calling it “fundamentally unfair” due to the consolidation of 22 plaintiffs in a single trial.
Verdict Breakdown
| Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Compensatory damages (22 plaintiffs) | $550 million |
| Punitive damages | $4.14 billion |
| Total verdict | $4.69 billion |
The punitive damages reflected the jury’s finding that J&J’s conduct warranted punishment beyond compensation for actual injuries.
The St. Louis verdict demonstrated juries would hold companies accountable for concealment. It established that massive punitive damages were possible and contributed to J&J’s eventual discontinuation of talc baby powder and over 90,000 lawsuits by 2025.
Aftermath and Appeals
Appeal outcome:
- Missouri Court of Appeals reduced the verdict to $2.11 billion in 2020
- Court affirmed liability but reduced punitive damages
- Plaintiffs received approximately $96 million each after reduction
Broader impact:
- Sent “shockwaves across the world” according to legal observers
- Encouraged thousands more plaintiffs to file claims
- Contributed to J&J’s decision to discontinue talc baby powder
- Led to increased scrutiny of talc in cosmetics
The Talc-Ovarian Cancer Connection
Research presented at trial showed:
- Women who used talc products for genital hygiene had increased ovarian cancer risk
- Talc particles have been found in ovarian tumors
- Some talc supplies were contaminated with asbestos from shared geological deposits
- IARC later classified talc as “probably carcinogenic” (Group 2A) in 2024
Context: Growing Litigation
The St. Louis verdict came amid a wave of talc lawsuits:
| Year | Development |
|---|---|
| 2016 | First major talc verdicts (ovarian cancer) |
| 2017 | Multiple verdicts against J&J |
| 2018 | $4.69 billion St. Louis verdict |
| 2018 | Reuters investigation reveals internal documents |
| 2019 | FDA finds asbestos in J&J baby powder |
| 2020 | J&J halts North American talc sales |
| 2023 | Global talc baby powder discontinuation |
What This Meant for Consumers
The verdict highlighted several concerns:
For those who used talc products:
- Document usage history
- Monitor for symptoms
- Consult healthcare providers about cancer screening
- Understand legal options if diagnosed
For the industry:
- Increased pressure to reformulate products
- Greater scrutiny of talc sourcing and testing
- Consumer shift toward talc-free alternatives
Long-Term Significance
The St. Louis verdict was a turning point in talc litigation:
- Demonstrated juries would hold companies accountable for concealment
- Established that massive punitive damages were possible
- Contributed to eventual IARC reclassification of talc
- Paved the way for mesothelioma-specific talc lawsuits
By 2025, J&J faced over 90,000 talc-related lawsuits and had attempted multiple bankruptcy strategies to resolve claims, a direct consequence of verdicts like the 2018 St. Louis case.
What was the St. Louis talc verdict?▼
In July 2018, a St. Louis jury awarded $4.69 billion to 22 women who claimed J&J’s talc baby powder caused their ovarian cancer. It was the largest talc verdict in history, including $550 million in compensatory damages and $4.14 billion in punitive damages.
What happened on appeal?▼
The Missouri Court of Appeals reduced the verdict to $2.11 billion in 2020. The court affirmed liability but reduced punitive damages. Each plaintiff received approximately $96 million after the reduction.
What evidence did plaintiffs present?▼
Internal documents showing J&J knew about potential asbestos contamination, tested products and found asbestos fibers, discussed contamination concerns but continued sales, and specifically marketed talc to women for genital hygiene use.
What was the broader impact?▼
The verdict sent “shockwaves” through the industry, encouraged thousands more plaintiffs, contributed to J&J discontinuing talc baby powder, increased cosmetic talc scrutiny, and led to IARC classifying talc as “probably carcinogenic” in 2024.