A jury in the United States has ordered healthcare giant Johnson & Johnson to pay $65.5 million in damages to a woman who says the company's talcum powder caused her to develop a deadly cancer.
Mother of Three Awarded Multi-Million Dollar Damages
The verdict, delivered on Saturday 20 December 2025, came in a case brought by Anna Jean Houghton Carley, a 37-year-old mother of three from Minnesota. She alleged that her regular use of Johnson's Baby Powder and Shower to Shower body powder exposed her to asbestos, which in turn led to her diagnosis of mesothelioma, an aggressive form of lung cancer.
Carley's legal team successfully argued that Johnson & Johnson knowingly sold talc-based products that were potentially contaminated with the carcinogenic substance, all while failing to warn consumers of the risks. The company has consistently denied these claims.
Johnson & Johnson Vows to Appeal Latest Ruling
In response to the substantial award, Johnson & Johnson issued a statement confirming it will appeal the jury's decision. The corporation maintains that its iconic baby powder is safe, does not contain asbestos, and is not a cause of cancer.
This defence is part of a long-running strategy by the pharmaceutical and consumer goods behemoth, which faces thousands of similar lawsuits across the globe. The company has previously pursued legal avenues to manage the liabilities from these cases.
A Series of Costly Legal Blows for J&J
The $65.5 million verdict is not an isolated ruling. It represents the latest in a string of significant legal judgments against Johnson & Johnson concerning its talc products.
Earlier in the same month, the company was hit with a $40 million award in a related case. This followed an even larger judgment in October, where a court ordered the firm to pay a staggering $966 million to a group of claimants making similar allegations linking talc to ovarian cancer and mesothelioma.
These consecutive rulings underscore the intense and ongoing legal battle surrounding the safety of a product that has been a household staple for generations. The outcomes of upcoming appeals will be closely watched by consumers, investors, and legal experts worldwide.
