US pharmaceutical giant Johnson & Johnson has proposed a $5.5 billion settlement to resolve tens of thousands of lawsuits claiming its talcum powder products caused ovarian cancer.
The offer aims to conclude a lengthy legal dispute that has impacted the New Jersey-based company for several years. The settlement would cover approximately 76,000 claims, representing nearly all remaining cases related to talc-based products.
While the company denies any link between its talc powder and cancer, it discontinued sales of talc-based baby powder in the United States and Canada in 2020. A Johnson & Johnson vice president of litigation stated that the claims "lack scientific merit" and emphasized the company’s focus on advancing lifesaving medicines and devices.
Johnson & Johnson has already settled most lawsuits alleging asbestos contamination in its talc products. The company is also facing similar litigation in the United Kingdom, where around 3,000 claimants seek compensation estimated at over £1 billion ($1.3 billion).
Claimants assert that they or family members developed ovarian cancer or mesothelioma after using Johnson & Johnson’s baby powder.
