Johnson & Johnson talc lawsuit overview:
- Who: A Los Angeles jury deadlocked in a trial over claims brought by plaintiff Brad Yandell that his wife’s death was caused by the use of talc products.
- Why: The plaintiff claimed Johnson & Johnson’s baby powder and talc products were the cause of his wife’s fatal mesothelioma.
- Where: The jury trial took place in Los Angeles state court.
- How to get help: Did you use talcum powder daily for at least four years and were later diagnosed with ovarian cancer? You may be eligible to join a class action lawsuit.
A Johnson & Johnson baby powder lawsuit has ended in mistrial after a Los Angeles jury could not reach a unanimous verdict, according to Law360.
Plaintiff Brad Yandell filed the lawsuit on behalf of his late wife’s estate, alleging Johnson & Johnson’s talc products, including Johnson’s Baby Powder, caused her 2022 death from mesothelioma.
Judge Eric Taylor declared the mistrial after four days of deliberations, with jurors splitting 7-5 in the plaintiff’s favor on whether asbestos exposure was sufficient to cause Yandell’s cancer.
According to Law360, the jury had considered claims of design defect, manufacturing defect, warning defect and negligence against Johnson & Johnson and a subsidiary.
Plaintiff’s counsel, Jessicia M. Dean of Dean Omar Branham Shirley LLP, told Law360 that jurors were convinced Lucia Yandell regularly used the talc products and asbestos was present, but couldn’t agree the dose was sufficient to cause her cancer.
Johnson & Johnson countered that her father’s Navy job, with possible asbestos exposure, was the actual cause.
“Our jury was incredible,” Dean told Law360. “They were thoughtful, kind, fun, attentive. They tried for four days, and you can tell they each had sincere passion, like you couldn’t ask for more.”
Dean said the evidence showed Lucia Yandell used the talc products for around 60 years, including for feminine hygiene.
Johnson & Johnson lawsuit counsel plans to retry mesothelioma case
Dean told Law360 her firm intends to retry the case. The lawsuit is among thousands pending in Los Angeles Superior Court against Johnson & Johnson alleging its baby powder and other talc products contained asbestos and caused mesothelioma and ovarian cancer.
Erik Haas, Johnson & Johnson’s worldwide vice president of litigation, said the Oklahoma and Los Angeles verdict pattern shows juries have rejected the plaintiffs’ claims, asserting research shows Johnson’s Baby Powder is safe and does not cause cancer.
The mistrial follows other recent talc verdicts. Earlier this month, a Los Angeles jury awarded $32 million to a mesothelioma victim’s family after decades of Johnson’s Baby Powder use.
That followed a Los Angeles bellwether win for Johnson & Johnson, where jurors found its talc was not a substantial factor in three women’s ovarian cancer.
Last year, a Los Angeles jury awarded two women $40 million in a separate ovarian cancer case.
What do you think of this Johnson & Johnson talc lawsuit ending in a mistrial? Let us know in the comments.
The plaintiff is represented by Jessicia M. Dean and Venus Burns of Dean Omar Branham Shirley LLP.
The Johson & Johnson baby powder lawsuit is Yandell v. Johnson & Johnson, et al., Case No. 23STCV11850, in the Superior Court of the State of California, County of Los Angeles.
Don’t Miss Out!
Check out our list of Class Action Lawsuits and Class Action Settlements you may qualify to join!
Read About More Class Action Lawsuits & Class Action Settlements:
Debt settlement, debt relief and credit repair class action lawsuit investigation
July 2, 2026 | Money
