Johnson & Johnson Offers $5.5B Settlement for Talc Lawsuits

Healthcare giant Johnson & Johnson has proposed a $5.5 billion settlement to resolve tens of thousands of long-standing lawsuits in the United States. The legal actions allege that the company's discontinued talc-based baby powder caused ovarian cancer. The settlement covers approximately 69,000 cases in federal and state courts, representing 99.75 percent of all outstanding talc claims nationwide. Under the proposed payment terms, Johnson & Johnson will disburse up to $3 billion next year. The company will make no additional payments under the deal before 2028.

Personal injury litigation against Johnson & Johnson over talc products began as early as 2009. Consumers alleged that talc mined near natural asbestos seams was contaminated with cancer-causing fibers. Johnson & Johnson consistently rejected these claims and cited scientific studies proving product safety. Nevertheless, the company ceased selling talc-based powder in North America in 2020 and completed a global phase-out by 2023. It replaced talc with cornstarch across its entire product lineup. In 2022, Johnson & Johnson spun off its consumer health division, Kenvue, which holds liability for non-North American claims.

Finalizing the agreement requires approval from law firms representing 95 percent of current claimants in state and federal courts. Vice president of litigation Erik Haas noted that settling allows the company to focus on developing lifesaving medical devices and pharmaceuticals. Meanwhile, the agreement does not cover legal disputes outside the United States. In October 2025, claimants launched a massive class-action suit in the UK High Court involving more than 7,000 individuals. That lawsuit continues to move forward separately despite the American settlement offer.