I recently wrote about the potential dangers of talcum powder and the talc litigation going on across the country.  On July 12, 2018, a jury in St. Louis returned a verdict against Johnson & Johnson for  $4.69 billion ($550 million for compensatory damages and $4.14 billion in punitive damages).  This verdict is among the largest ever in a products liability case. 

 The case was brought by 22 women and their families alleging that asbestos in Johnson's talcum powder caused ovarian cancer.  The plaintiffs alleged that J&J failed to warn of the cancer risks associated with its baby powder and other body powders.

 As in several other cases where Johnson has been found liable for large sums, the company continues to deny its products cause cancer, and it has vowed to appeal.