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Johnson & Johnson to pay about $5.5 billion to settle talc cancer suits
The agreement covers roughly 76,000 claims, and it must be approved by 95% of claimants before becoming final.
Johnson & Johnson said July 27 it will pay an estimated $5.5 billion to resolve tens of thousands of lawsuits alleging that its baby powder and other talc products cause ovarian cancer, marking a major step to end a legal battle that has lasted about a decade, Insurance Journal reports.
The company said the settlement covers about 76,000 claims, including cases consolidated in federal court in New Jersey and related matters in state court, representing nearly all remaining talc claims. J&J previously resolved most lawsuits alleging asbestos in talc products caused mesothelioma.
A key condition for finalization is that the deal must be accepted by 95% of ovarian cancer claimants in state or federal court. J&J said it views the claims as meritless but chose to settle to seek closure, according to remarks from its vice president of litigation, Erik Haas.
J&J expects to pay $3 billion in 2027, with additional payments in 2028, though the total could be higher depending on participation. Plaintiffs’ attorneys said the settlement could reach $7 billion or more, and the pact assigns values to qualifying ovarian cancer claims without capping the company’s total payout.