Products Liability Law Daily Wrap Up, JURY VERDICTS—HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS—Md. Cir.: Jury awards $1.5 billion against Johnson & Johnson over talc products, (Jan 2, 2026)

By Brian Craig, J.D.

The jury award includes $59.84 million in compensatory damages, $1 billion in punitive damages against Johnson & Johnson, and $500 million in punitive damages against a subsidiary.

A jury in Baltimore has entered a verdict of more than $1.5 billion against the pharmaceutical giant Johnson & Johnson in a case involving a woman who claimed she developed peritoneal mesothelioma after using talc-based baby powder for decades. The jury award in this Maryland state court case includes $59.84 million in compensatory damages, $1 billion in punitive damages against Johnson & Johnson, and $500 million in punitive damages against Pecos River Talc, a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson (Craft v. Ahold Delhaize USA, Inc., No. 24-X-24-000005 (Md. Cir. Dec. 22, 2025)).

Allegations. The case stemmed from allegations that a Maryland woman used talc-based baby power products manufactured by Johnson & Johnson for decades that caused her peritoneal mesothelioma. The woman claimed she used the talc-based power products daily from approximately 1971 continuously until 2024. During this time, she repeatedly inhaled, ingested, and was regularly exposed to asbestos dust emanating from the asbestos-laden talc-based products. The consumer claimed that exposure to and inhalation of asbestos from the products caused her to contract peritoneal mesothelioma, a form of cancer. She was diagnosed in January 2024. The complaint alleged strict products liability, negligence, and other related claims against Johnson & Johnson and related entities.

Jury award. The case proceeded to trial and the jury found that Johnson & Johnson sold a defective product with the talc-based baby powder products. The jury concluded that the woman proved by a preponderance of the evidence that the talc-based baby powder products caused her peritoneal mesothelioma. The jury found by clear and convincing evidence that Johnson & Johnson and related entities conspired to commit an unlawful act in selling the products, which was a substantial factor in causing the consumer’s peritoneal mesothelioma. The jury awarded the Maryland woman $59.84 million in compensatory damages, including $3.54 million in future medical expenses, $2.3 million in past and future lost earnings, and $54 million in noneconomic damages.

In addition, the jury found that Johnson & Johnson acted with malice and awarded $1 billion in punitive damages against Johnson & Johnson and $500 million in punitive damages against Pecos River Talc, a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson. According to a press release from the law firm representing the Maryland woman, the verdict is believed to be the largest ever award returned against Johnson & Johnson for a single plaintiff, surpassing the firm’s prior Los Angeles verdict of $966 million on behalf of the family of a California woman.

Appeal. J&J plans to appeal the decision. Johnson & Johnson called the ruling “egregious” and “patently unconstitutional.” “We will immediately appeal this verdict,” Erik Haas, Johnson & Johnson’s worldwide vice president of litigation, said in a statement, arguing the decision resulted from “gross errors” by the trial court and was “squarely at odds” with most talc cases in which the company has prevailed. Johnson & Johnson claims that the talc products are safe and do not contain asbestos.

The case is No. 24-X-24-000005.

Attorneys: Jessica Dean (Dean Omar Branham Shirley, LLP) for Cherie A. Craft. Eric Haas (Gardner Haas PLLC) for Johnson and Johnson.

Companies: Johnson and Johnson; Ahold Delhaize USA, Inc.; Ahold U.S.A., Inc.; Avon Products, Inc.; Block Drug Co., Inc.; Pecos River Talc LLC; Johnson & Johnson Holdco (NA), Inc.; Kenvue, Inc.

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