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Johnson & Johnson offers $5.5 billion to settle talc lawsuits
CBS News • • business
Key Points:
- Johnson & Johnson has proposed a $5.5 billion settlement to resolve approximately 76,000 lawsuits alleging its talcum powder products caused ovarian cancer, aiming to end a prolonged legal battle.
- The settlement requires at least 95% participation from the remaining claimants and covers nearly all outstanding talc-related claims in both federal and state courts.
- J&J denies that its talc products caused cancer but ceased selling talc-based baby powder in the U.S. and Canada in 2020; the company views the settlement as a way to achieve closure despite disputing the claims' scientific merit.
- Plaintiffs' lead counsel emphasized that the settlement provides fair compensation after over a decade of litigation and multiple bankruptcies, addressing the long wait for relief among affected women and families.
- J&J has previously settled asbestos-related talc claims linked to mesothelioma and currently faces a related lawsuit in the UK with estimated claims exceeding £1 billion ($1.3 billion).
