Johnson & Johnson proposes $5.5 billion settlement of talc lawsuits
Johnson & Johnson offered $5.5 billion to resolve about 76,000 claims alleging its talc products caused ovarian cancer, while maintaining the products were safe.
Johnson & Johnson said it will offer $5.5 billion to settle roughly 76,000 lawsuits alleging its baby powder and other talc-based products caused ovarian cancer. The proposal, which the company says requires participation from at least 95% of the remaining claimants, would cover cases consolidated in a federal court in New Jersey as well as related state-court actions.
The company, which stopped selling talc-based baby powder in the United States and Canada in 2020, continues to deny that its products cause cancer. Erik Haas, vice president of litigation, said the claims "lack scientific merit" but that the settlement would allow the firm to move past the litigation and focus on its core business.
Plaintiffs’ lead counsel, Chris Seeger, described the deal as providing "fair and meaningful compensation" after more than a decade of litigation and three failed bankruptcy attempts. The settlement also follows earlier agreements that resolved most cases alleging the presence of asbestos in J&J’s talc.
J&J also faces a separate lawsuit in the United Kingdom, where claimants representing about 3,000 individuals seek compensation estimated at over £1 billion ($1.3 billion) for alleged ovarian cancer or mesothelioma linked to the product.