Johnson & Johnson has proposed a $5.5 billion settlement to resolve tens of thousands of lawsuits alleging that its talcum-based baby powder causes ovarian cancer. The offer, announced on Monday, aims to conclude a lengthy legal conflict in the United States involving approximately 76,000 claims filed in various federal and state courts. Under the terms of the settlement, $3 billion would be paid out next year, with additional payments scheduled for 2028. The agreement requires acceptance from legal representatives of 95 percent of the plaintiffs for final approval.
The pharmaceutical company denies that its talc products caused cancer, maintaining that scientific studies demonstrate talc’s safety and that its powders do not contain asbestos. Johnson & Johnson changed its baby powder formulation from talcum to cornstarch in the United States in 2020 and globally by 2023. The proposed settlement follows a protracted legal battle, in which the company has defended itself vigorously, winning the majority of trials it faced. Of 20 individual ovarian cancer cases brought to verdict, the company lost only one, while others resulted in wins, mistrials, or reversals on appeal.
Johnson & Johnson had previously attempted to manage the litigation by transferring claims to a subsidiary and funding an $8 billion trust to compensate plaintiffs. However, this strategy was rejected by a court ruling that the subsidiary was not truly bankrupt and therefore not eligible for certain protections. The company also legally challenged plaintiff law firms over conflicts of interest, achieving the disqualification of a key plaintiff firm after it hired a former Johnson & Johnson outside counsel as a litigation consultant.
Opponents argue that the lawsuits lack conclusive scientific proof linking talc use to ovarian cancer. Recently, expert witnesses acknowledged uncertainties in establishing talc as a definitive cause of the disease, prompting questions about the merits of many claims. One federal judge highlighted this doubt in the context of plaintiffs’ burden to prove causation.
In the United Kingdom, similar litigation is underway, with over 3,000 claims filed at the High Court last year related to ovarian cancer and mesothelioma allegedly caused by Johnson & Johnson’s baby powder. That trial is scheduled to begin in February 2028, with damages sought estimated to exceed £1 billion.
Johnson & Johnson representatives described the settlement as a path to end the costly and protracted judicial process, allowing the company to focus on its health product offerings. The litigation has spanned more than a decade, incurring substantial legal expenses and court time, and while the settlement is not without controversy, it may provide a resolution to a complex and divisive issue.