NEW YORK: Johnson & Johnson (J&J) has agreed to pay $5.5 billion to settle thousands of lawsuits claiming its talc-based baby powder caused ovarian cancer, marking one of the largest product liability settlements in U.S. history.
The legal cases, which have lasted for nearly a decade, alleged that prolonged use of J&J’s baby powder exposed consumers to asbestos-contaminated talc, increasing the risk of ovarian cancer. The company has consistently denied the allegations, maintaining that its talc products are safe and do not contain asbestos.
Despite denying any wrongdoing, Johnson & Johnson said the settlement is intended to end years of costly litigation and provide compensation to eligible claimants without continuing lengthy court battles.
The company had previously attempted several legal strategies to resolve the claims through bankruptcy proceedings, but those efforts were rejected by U.S. courts. The new settlement is expected to bring closure to tens of thousands of pending lawsuits.
The agreement remains subject to final legal approvals before payments are distributed to eligible plaintiffs.
