Johnson & Johnson offers up to $5.5bn to settle baby powder lawsuits

Johnson & Johnson has proposed a settlement of up to $5.5 billion (£4.14 billion) to resolve tens of thousands of lawsuits that claim its talc‑based baby powder and related products cause ovarian cancer. The offer, disclosed by Erik Haas, the company’s vice president of litigation, aims to end a protracted legal battle that has persisted for years. Haas told reporters on Monday that the allegations are “meritless” and that Johnson & Johnson is willing to settle in order to bring the matter to a close. He said the company remains confident it would have “ultimately prevailed with further litigation,” noting its success in the majority of cases heard to date. According to the proposal, the settlement would cover approximately 69,000 cases, representing the bulk of the remaining talc‑related claims. Johnson & Johnson said it would pay up to $3 billion in the coming year, with no further payments required before 2028. The agreement must be accepted by law firms representing 95 % of the ovarian‑cancer claims in state and federal courts before it can be finalized. Haas added that the proposed solution “allows the institution to enactment this substance down it” and would enable Johnson & Johnson to “remain focused connected its ngo to make medicines and devices that prevention lives.” Lawsuits over the talc‑based baby powder first emerged as early as 2009. In July a federal court ruled in the company’s favor, questioning individual plaintiffs’ ability to prove that talc was the direct cause of their ovarian cancer. Talc, a naturally occurring mineral composed of magnesium, silicon, oxygen and hydrogen, is valued for its soft texture and is commonly used in baby powder. Plaintiffs have argued that Johnson & Johnson’s talc products caused cancer due to contamination with asbestos, a substance known to be carcinogenic. Talc deposits are often found near asbestos seams in the earth. Johnson & Johnson has repeatedly denied the allegations. In its latest statement the company asserted, “Studies show talc is safe, does not contain asbestos and does not cause cancer.” In 2022 Johnson & Johnson announced it would cease manufacturing and selling its talc‑based baby powder worldwide. The decision came more than two years after the product was withdrawn from the U.S. market. At that time the company said, “As part of a worldwide portfolio review, we have made the commercial decision to transition to an all cornstarch-based baby powder portfolio.”