J&J offers $5.5bn settlement in lawsuits claiming talc link to cancer

Johnson & Johnson announced a $5.5 billion settlement to resolve tens of thousands of lawsuits filed across US federal and state courts. The agreement addresses approximately 69,000 cases, representing 99.75 percent of all outstanding talc-related litigation in the country. The pharmaceutical company discontinued its talc-based baby powder in the United States in 2020 and globally in 2023, responding to mounting health concerns.

Talc, a soft mineral historically used in cosmetics and baby care products, has faced increasing scrutiny over potential health risks. In 2024, the World Health Organization classified talc as "probably carcinogenic to humans." Despite this classification, J&J maintains that scientific evidence does not support a causal link between talc and cancer. The company's litigation head, Erik Haas, characterized the settlement as an opportunity to resolve the matter.

The settlement follows years of legal battles. A 2016 jury verdict ordered J&J to pay $72 million to the family of a woman who died of ovarian cancer in a talc-related case, though this decision was overturned the following year. Subsequent litigation has resulted in multiple jury awards favoring plaintiffs across various US jurisdictions. Lawyers representing the plaintiffs indicated satisfaction with the settlement as a resolution to a decade-long dispute.

The agreement does not extend to the United Kingdom, where the largest product liability case in British legal history is currently proceeding. Filed in October 2025, the UK litigation involves more than 7,000 potential claimants and alleges that J&J knowingly continued selling talc products despite awareness of cancer risks, including ovarian cancer and mesothelioma. The company denies these allegations.