Nearly $1B Talc Verdict in LA: What It Means for Families

J&J Hit with Nearly $1B Talc Verdict: What It Means for California Consumers and Wrongful Death Claims

A Los Angeles jury has sent a powerful message to product manufacturers: concealment and unsafe products won’t be tolerated. In a landmark verdict, jurors awarded approximately $966 million to the family of an 88-year-old woman, Mae Moore, who died from mesothelioma allegedly caused by asbestos-contaminated talc in Johnson & Johnson’s baby powder. The award includes $950 million in punitive damages after the jury found J&J acted with malice or oppression.1

What Happened in the $1 Billion Los Angeles Baby Powder Case?

• The decedent regularly used J&J’s talc-based baby powder for decades.
• She was diagnosed with mesothelioma in December 2020 and passed away a year later.
• The jury returned a unanimous verdict awarding:
  • $6 million for emotional distress
  • $10 million in non-economic damages
  • $950 million in punitive damages
• The court case: Mae K. Moore v. Johnson & Johnson, et al., L.A. Superior Court.
• J&J has indicated it will appeal and continues to deny that its talc contains asbestos or causes cancer.1

Why This Verdict Matters

• Deterrence through punitive damages: The punitive portion signals the jury believed the conduct warranted punishment beyond compensating the family’s losses.
• Building momentum in talc litigation: While J&J has prevailed in many cases, a near-$1B award in Los Angeles could influence future settlement postures and trial strategies on both sides.
• California venue significance: LA juries are known to scrutinize corporate conduct and react strongly to evidence of concealment or failure to warn.

Legal Takeaways for California Families

• Wrongful death and survival claims: Families may recover for the loss of a loved one (wrongful death) and the decedent’s own pre-death damages (survival action), including pain and suffering (now permitted for survival claims in California under certain conditions).
• Product liability theories: Plaintiffs typically pursue strict liability (design/manufacturing defect, failure to warn) and negligence, and—where supported—fraud and concealment that can open the door to punitive damages.
• Causation in asbestos-linked diseases: Mesothelioma has a strong scientific association with asbestos exposure; plaintiffs must tie exposure to the defendant’s product.

What If You Used Talc Products?

• Preserve products and receipts: Keep any remaining containers and proof of purchase.
• Get medical evaluation: If you’ve been diagnosed with mesothelioma, ovarian cancer, or other asbestos-related conditions, ensure your doctor documents household talc exposure history.
• Document usage history: Create a timeline of brands, years of use, and frequency. Identify witnesses (family members) who can corroborate use.
• Don’t delay: California statutes of limitations are strict. Consult an experienced Los Angeles baby powder lawyer at Walch Law NOW—especially in wrongful death or terminal illness cases.

Damages Potentially Available in a Los Angeles Baby Powder Lawsuit

• Economic damages: Medical bills, end-of-life care, funeral expenses, lost financial support.
• Non-economic damages: Pain and suffering (survival), loss of love, companionship, and guidance (wrongful death).
• Punitive damages: Where evidence shows malice, oppression, or fraud—intended to punish and deter.

Expect Appeals and Post-Trial Motions

Large verdicts—especially with substantial punitive awards—often face post-trial challenges and appellate review. Even so, a verdict of this size can shift the negotiation landscape and drive corporate policy changes.

What About Defense Arguments?

• J&J positions: Denials of asbestos in talc, reliance on “decades of studies,” and challenges to plaintiff experts as “junk science.”1
• Plaintiff counterpoints: Independent testing, internal documents, regulatory history, and expert causation testimony tailored to the individual’s exposure profile.

How Walch Law Can Help With Your Los Angeles Baby Powder Lawsuit

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma or another serious illness after long-term use of talc products:

• We can quickly investigate product identification, exposure pathways, and medical causation.
• We coordinate with leading experts and manage preservation of evidence.
• We pursue full damages, including punitive when warranted, while navigating complex defense strategies and appeals.

We work on contingency—no fees unless we win.

Free, Confidential Consultation

Talk to our team about your situation. We’ll review your potential claim, explain timelines, and outline your best next steps to protect your family’s rights.