A Pennsylvania state court jury has concluded that Johnson & Johnson must pay a total of $250,000 to the family of a woman who linked her ovarian cancer to the company’s talc-based baby powder.
The verdict, handed down by a jury in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas, favored relatives of Gayle Emerson. According to attorney Chris Tisi, who is representing plaintiffs in other talc-related federal cases, Emersons family argued that Johnson & Johnson knew its talc products posed risks but did not warn consumers.
The jurys award breaks down to $50,000 in compensatory damages and $200,000 in punitive damages to Emersons family. Tisis comments identify him as counsel active in additional litigation over talc products at the federal level.
Court records show Emerson, a resident of Pennsylvania, filed the action in 2019. She died six months after filing the suit at age 68 following a battle with metastatic ovarian cancer. After her passing, Emersons son and daughter continued to prosecute the case on her behalf.
The complaint states that Emerson used Johnson & Johnsons baby powder from 1969 until 2017. She reportedly ceased using the product in 2017 after a relative informed her of a possible association between talc exposure and an increased risk of ovarian cancer. The lawsuit also notes Emerson had been diagnosed with cancer two years before she stopped using the product.
The jury decision adds to a body of litigation referenced by plaintiffs counsel, who is also involved in related federal court cases. The Philadelphia ruling is limited to the specific claims and evidence presented in this state-court matter.
Context and immediate outcome
The state-court jury found in favor of Emersons family and assigned a combined punitive and compensatory award of $250,000. The proceeding reflects a continuation of legal scrutiny surrounding talc-based consumer products.
What is known from the filings
- Emerson filed the lawsuit in 2019 and died six months later at age 68 from metastatic ovarian cancer.
- The lawsuit asserts continuous use of Johnson & Johnson baby powder from 1969 until 2017, when Emerson stopped after learning about possible cancer risk from a relative.
- The jurys award consists of $50,000 compensatory and $200,000 punitive damages.