Johnson & Johnson and its talc suppliers were ordered by a Los Angeles jury to pay $21.7 million in compensatory damages in a case over the cancer risks of its talc products, Reuters reported.
The company was assigned 67% of the award, which will go to Joanne Anderson, who in 2017 claimed she developed mesothelioma due to Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder.
Mesothelioma is a cancer that occurs in the lining of internal organs and is caused by exposure to asbestos.
The company denies that its talc products contain asbestos or cause cancer.
The other defendants were an Imerys SA unit, Cyprus Amax Minerals, Honeywell International and certain local talc suppliers.
The jury may award additional punitive damages, Anderson's lawyer said, according to Reuters. Additionally, Johnson & Johnson said it is reserving additional comment until the case is completed.
Meanwhile, Johnson & Johnson and its Imerys supplier are appealing a $117 million award in a similar case. Reuters said the company is facing some 6,000 lawsuits claiming asbestos exposure due to Johnson & Johnson talc products.
