Jury Finds Johnson & Johnson Liable in Baby Powder Cancer Case

Pennsylvania jury orders $250,000 payout to family of woman who died of ovarian cancer after using J&J talc products

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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A Pennsylvania state-court jury in Philadelphia has ordered Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ) to pay $250,000 to the family of Gayle Emerson, finding the company liable in a case blaming its talc baby powder for her ovarian cancer. The verdict comes as J&J continues to fight over whether plaintiffs can present scientific expert testimony linking its talc products to cancer in a consolidated federal docket.

Why it matters

This verdict signals broader implications for the thousands of talc-related lawsuits J&J is facing, as the company has repeatedly tried to channel claims into bankruptcy proceedings that have been turned away. The case also highlights the ongoing legal battles over what scientific evidence juries will be allowed to consider regarding the potential cancer risks of J&J's talc products.

The details

The Pennsylvania plaintiffs alleged Emerson used J&J's talc baby powder from 1969 to 2017, and she sued the company in 2019 before dying six months later at age 68 from metastatic ovarian cancer. While the $250,000 award fell short of expectations, the plaintiffs' attorney said they plan to continue pursuing the case. In the federal proceedings, a court-appointed special master has recommended allowing plaintiffs' experts to testify that J&J's talc products can cause ovarian cancer, while also allowing the company's experts to counter that position.

  • The Pennsylvania jury reached its verdict on Friday, February 14, 2026.
  • Emerson used J&J's talc baby powder from 1969 to 2017.
  • Emerson filed her lawsuit against J&J in 2019 and died six months later at age 68.

The players

Johnson & Johnson

A multinational corporation that develops medical devices, pharmaceutical, and consumer packaged goods. It is currently facing thousands of lawsuits alleging its talc-based baby powder caused cancer.

Gayle Emerson

A woman who used J&J's talc baby powder from 1969 to 2017 and sued the company in 2019 after being diagnosed with ovarian cancer. She died six months after filing the lawsuit at the age of 68.

Leigh O'Dell

The attorney at Beasley Allen representing Emerson's family.

Freda Wolfson

A retired U.S. District Judge serving as a court-appointed special master in the federal talc litigation, who has recommended allowing plaintiffs' experts to testify that J&J's talc products can cause ovarian cancer.

Michael Shipp

The U.S. District Judge overseeing the federal talc litigation, who will review the special master's recommendations.

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What they’re saying

“We must continue pursuing this case, as the jury concluded that Johnson & Johnson's product and corporate actions played a direct role in Emerson's death.”

— Leigh O'Dell, Attorney, Beasley Allen (Benzinga)

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, Grocery employee (Instagram)

What’s next

The judge in the federal talc litigation will decide whether to accept or reject the special master's recommendation on allowing expert testimony linking J&J's talc products to ovarian cancer.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing legal battles facing Johnson & Johnson over the potential cancer risks of its talc-based products, as the company continues to defend thousands of lawsuits while also fighting to limit the scientific evidence that can be presented in court.