Thomas v. Imerys Carbonates LLC

In December 2018, a New Jersey state jury heard the case of Elaine Thomas, whose husband Robert Thomas died of mesothelioma in 2016. Robert Thomas had used Johnson & Johnson baby powder for decades. The lawsuit targeted Imerys Carbonates LLC, the supplier of talc, and Johnson & Johnson as co-defendant. Plaintiffs argued the talc contained asbestos fibers that caused the fatal cancer, and that the companies knew of the risks but failed to warn consumers. After trial, the jury found the companies liable, awarding $40 million in compensatory damages. The verdict marked the first mesothelioma talc trial in New Jersey and added to a growing number of talc-related lawsuits across the United States.

The jury awarded $40 million in compensatory damages, assigning 70% liability to Johnson & Johnson and 30% to Imerys Carbonates LLC.

Whether Imerys-supplied talc in Johnson & Johnson baby powder contained asbestos that caused Robert Thomas's mesothelioma, and whether the companies knew of contamination risks and breached their duty to warn consumers.

The verdict intensified public concern over talc product safety, led to a surge in similar lawsuits, contributed to Johnson & Johnson's decision to reformulate or discontinue talc-based baby powder, and heightened regulatory scrutiny of cosmetic talc.