Johnson & Johnson has proposed a $5.5 billion settlement to resolve tens of thousands of lawsuits tied to its talc products. The US healthcare company said the deal would cover around 76,000 claims, which it described as nearly all of the remaining talc-related cases.
The lawsuits argue that the company’s talcum powder products caused ovarian cancer. Johnson & Johnson, however, continues to reject those allegations and says its talc products did not cause cancer.
The proposed payout marks one of the company’s biggest efforts to draw a line under years of litigation over talc. By seeking to settle most of the outstanding claims at once, Johnson & Johnson appears to be trying to reduce the uncertainty and financial risk linked to the long-running legal battle.
Even with the large offer on the table, the dispute remains significant because of the number of cases involved and the seriousness of the health claims. The latest move highlights the scale of the talc litigation facing Johnson & Johnson as it works to close out the remaining lawsuits while maintaining its position on product safety.
