Baltimore Jury Awards $1.56 Billion Mesothelioma Verdict Against Johnson & Johnson
A Baltimore jury has returned a record mesothelioma verdict against Johnson & Johnson, ordering the company and related entities to pay $1.56 billion to a Maryland woman who developed cancer after decades of using the company’s talc-based baby powder products. The verdict, issued in the Circuit Court for Baltimore City, is the largest talc verdict ever awarded against Johnson & Johnson for a single plaintiff.
The plaintiff, Cherie Craft, retained Early, Lucarelli, Sweeney & Meisenkothen to represent her in her mesothelioma lawsuit. After interviewing Ms. Craft and reviewing all facts, ELSM attorneys co-counseled with the law firm of Dean Omar Branham Shirely (DOBS). ELSM works closely with DOBS on select mesothelioma cases to maximize values for their clients at trial. After further review and collaboration, the DOBS team decided Ms. Craft’s case should be tried to verdict.
Cherie Craft, a 54-year-old Maryland resident, was diagnosed with malignant peritoneal mesothelioma in January 2024. Mesothelioma is a rare cancer caused by asbestos and most often develops decades after initial exposure. While there is no cure, treatments such as surgery, chemotherapy, and palliative care may help manage symptoms and improve quality of life.
Jurors found that Johnson & Johnson failed to warn consumers that its talc-based baby powder contained asbestos. Evidence presented at trial showed that Ms. Craft used Johnson’s Baby Powder daily for much of her life. The jury awarded $59.84 million in compensatory damages for her losses, along with $1 billion in punitive damages against Johnson & Johnson and $500 million in punitive damages against Pecos River Talc, a company associated with Johnson & Johnson.
According to Ms. Craft’s legal team, her cancer was preventable and resulted from prolonged exposure to asbestos-contaminated talc. The punitive damages award reflects the jury’s conclusion that the defendants acted with reckless disregard for consumer safety by failing to adequately warn the public.
Johnson & Johnson has stated it will appeal the verdict. Despite the anticipated appeal, the verdict reflects the jury’s determination that long-term exposure to asbestos-containing talc caused Ms. Craft’s mesothelioma and warranted significant punitive damages, marking another major development in Johnson & Johnson talc litigation.
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Kyle helps mesothelioma victims with asbestos litigation matters. He specializes in asbestos bankruptcy claims and arbitration and is accredited by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to help veterans pursue VA claims.
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