Critical Mass With Law.com’s Amanda Bronstad: Jury Sends Multiple Notes in Landmark Social Media Addiction Trial, Judge Wipes Out $950M Punitive Damages From J&J Talc Verdict
Two major mass tort developments grabbed headlines this week as a groundbreaking Los Angeles trial over social media addiction entered a tense deliberation phase and a California judge dramatically reduced one of the largest recent talc verdicts against Johnson & Johnson. Legal observers say both cases could shape future litigation involving youth mental health and long-running product liability battles.
In the closely watched social media case, jurors have sent several notes to the judge since deliberations began, raising questions about key testimony and evidence. Separately, a Los Angeles Superior Court judge tossed nearly $950 million in punitive damages from a $966 million talc verdict, leaving only compensatory damages intact.
Jury Sends Notes in Social Media Addiction Trial
Jurors in the first-of-its-kind trial accusing Meta and YouTube of engineering addiction in teens sent two notes on the very first day of deliberations, followed by three more in subsequent days. The notes focused on replaying specific testimony, including that of a YouTube witness and an audio recording involving the plaintiff’s father, according to Law.com reporting.
The plaintiff, identified in court documents as K.G.M. (referred to as Kaley during trial), alleges that early and compulsive use of Instagram and YouTube beginning at young ages led to severe mental health issues, including depression, anxiety, body dysmorphia, and suicidal ideation. The roughly month-long trial featured testimony from addiction experts, therapists, platform engineers, and even Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg — his first-ever appearance before a jury.
Closing arguments wrapped up around March 12-13, 2026, after which Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Carolyn Kuhl instructed the jury. Deliberations are ongoing as of mid-March, with the outcome potentially influencing thousands of similar lawsuits pending against social media companies nationwide.
Lawyers for Meta expressed concern over some of the jury’s requests, while the case has drawn intense scrutiny for its novel claims that platforms deliberately designed features to maximize user engagement at the expense of young users’ well-being.
Judge Strikes $950M in Punitive Damages in J&J Talc Case
In a separate ruling issued around March 16-17, 2026, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Ruth Kwan set aside $950 million in punitive damages awarded by a jury last October against Johnson & Johnson in a talcum powder mesothelioma case.
The original verdict totaled approximately $966 million, including about $16 million in compensatory damages for the family of Mae Moore, who died in 2021 at age 88 after decades of using J&J’s talc-based baby powder. The judge ruled that plaintiffs failed to prove J&J acted with malice or knowingly concealed evidence that its products contained asbestos, citing hundreds of test results showing no detectable asbestos.
Compensatory damages remain in place, but the dramatic reduction marks a significant victory for the defense in one of the larger recent talc awards. Both sides have indicated plans to appeal aspects of the decision. J&J continues to face thousands of talc-related claims nationwide, though it maintains its products are safe and asbestos-free.
Key Developments This Week:
- Social Media Trial: Multiple jury notes requesting testimony readbacks (YouTube witness, plaintiff’s father audio); deliberations ongoing after roughly one month of evidence.
- J&J Talc Ruling: $950M punitive damages vacated; $16M compensatory damages upheld; judge found insufficient evidence of malice.
- Broader Context: The social media case is viewed as a bellwether for youth mental health litigation against tech giants; talc litigation remains one of the most active mass torts in the U.S.
Implications for Mass Torts and Future Litigation
Legal experts following both matters note that the social media trial’s outcome could set precedents for how courts handle claims of algorithmic addiction and platform liability for minors. A plaintiff win might encourage more families to sue, while a defense verdict could bolster arguments under Section 230 protections or lack of causation.
In the talc arena, the reduction of punitive damages highlights ongoing challenges for plaintiffs in proving the high legal standard required for punishment awards, even in cases with substantial compensatory verdicts. J&J has consistently denied wrongdoing and pursued aggressive defense and appeal strategies across its talc docket.
These developments arrive as mass tort litigation continues to evolve rapidly, with courts grappling with emerging claims involving technology, consumer products, and long-latency diseases.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What is the status of the social media addiction trial in Los Angeles? A: The jury is actively deliberating after receiving multiple notes requesting testimony readbacks. No verdict has been reached as of mid-March 2026.
Q: What did the jury ask about in their notes? A: Notes focused on YouTube witness testimony, an audio recording of the plaintiff’s father, and other specific evidence presented during the trial.
Q: How much was the punitive damages award reduced in the J&J talc case? A: A Los Angeles judge threw out $950 million in punitive damages from a $966 million verdict, leaving approximately $16 million in compensatory damages intact.
Q: Why were the punitive damages against Johnson & Johnson vacated? A: The judge ruled there was insufficient evidence that J&J acted with malice or concealed knowledge regarding asbestos in its talc products.
Q: Will these cases affect other pending lawsuits? A: Yes — the social media trial is a potential bellwether for thousands of similar claims, while the talc ruling may influence settlement strategies and appeals in the broader J&J talc litigation.
By Mark Smith
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