Johnson & Johnson to Pay $5.5 Billion to Settle Talc Cancer Lawsuits Covering Nearly 70,000 Cases
Johnson & Johnson announced on July 27 it has agreed to pay $5.5 billion to resolve about 69,000 US lawsuits alleging its talc-based baby powder caused ovarian cancer. The settlement covers 99.75% of pending cases and requires approval from at least 95% of plaintiffs. The first payment of up to $3 billion is due in 2027, with the remainder after 2028. The company denies the claims and has discontinued talc products globally. The settlement does not cover a separate UK class action.
Johnson & Johnson announced on July 27 that it has reached a settlement agreement to pay $5.5 billion to resolve about 69,000 US lawsuits alleging that its talc-based baby powder caused ovarian cancer. The agreement covers 99.75% of related pending cases in federal and state courts. The settlement is contingent on obtaining formal consent from at least 95% of plaintiffs. Under the terms, Johnson & Johnson will make an initial payment of up to $3 billion in 2027, with the remaining compensation to be paid after 2028.
Johnson & Johnson has consistently denied that its talc products cause cancer and maintains that the talc is safe and asbestos-free. Erik Haas, the company's worldwide vice president of litigation, stated that the allegations lack scientific basis and that the agreement is intended to resolve the matter so the company can focus on developing life-saving medicines and medical devices. Affected by the litigation, Johnson & Johnson discontinued sales of talc-based baby powder in the US market in 2020 and expanded the discontinuation globally in 2023, switching entirely to cornstarch-based formulas.
Last week, the company achieved a key legal victory when a federal judge questioned whether plaintiffs could prove that talc was the direct cause of their ovarian cancer. Previously, Johnson & Johnson had made multiple attempts to resolve claims through bankruptcy court, but those efforts were rejected. The current settlement applies only to existing claims and does not cover future lawsuits.
In addition, the US settlement does not apply to the legal proceedings Johnson & Johnson faces in the UK. A UK court is currently hearing a product liability class action involving more than 7,000 potential plaintiffs, who allege that the company continued to sell talc products despite knowing the risk of ovarian cancer and mesothelioma. Johnson & Johnson has also denied the UK allegations.