Johnson & Johnson was ordered by a New Jersey jury to pay $750 million in punitive damages to a group of former Baby Powder users. The group had already been awarded $37.2 million as compensation for cancers they blamed on asbestos.
After the verdict, Judge Ana V. Viscomi reduced the punitive award to $186.5 million.
Jurors concluded the company’s conduct in manufacturing and marketing the product warranted punishment. A separate jury in September found the company liable for the cancers claims and made the initial award for actual damages.
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The September verdict was one of five talc cases the company lost last year. The company denies its baby powder line is contaminated with asbestos.
Company officials said Thursday they’ll appeal both verdicts in the New Brunswick, NJ case, saying the judge made legal errors that warrant having the results thrown out.