Johnson & Johnson Reaches $5.5 Billion Talc Settlement to Resolve Decade-Long Litigation
Johnson & Johnson announced an estimated $5.5 billion settlement on Monday, resolving approximately 76,000 lawsuits alleging its talc-based products caused ovarian cancer. The deal could rise to as much as $7 billion or more depending on the number of claimants and is intended to end a decade-long legal battle over the safety of J&J's baby powder. The settlement must be accepted by 95% of affected plaintiffs before finalizing. The company has long denied that its talc products caused cancer, but stopped selling talc-based baby powder in the U.S. in 2020 after shifting to a cornstarch alternative. J&J expects to pay $3 billion in 2027 and additional amounts in 2028 under this agreement. This resolution follows recent courtroom victories for Johnson & Johnson, including rulings that weakened plaintiffs' ability to prove talc caused ovarian cancer. Unlike previous bankruptcy proposals, the settlement applies only to existing claims and accelerates payments within an 18-month period.
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Topics: Johnson & Johnson lawsuits ovarian cancer claims talc products