Talc powder cancer: Johnson & Johnson will pay $5.5 billion to settle 76,000 talc powder cases. The agreement could end a decades-old legal dispute over ovarian cancer.
Johnson & Johnson will settle 76,000 cases related to talc powder for $5.5 billion, a settlement that could end a decades-old legal dispute.
Johnson & Johnson compensation: This historic settlement involving nearly 76,000 claims could put an end to a decade-long legal dispute. Johnson & Johnson has said that it will pay approximately $5.5 billion, or Rs 52,639 crore, to settle thousands of lawsuits alleging that its baby powder and other products caused ovarian cancer. This is a historic settlement, which is likely to end a controversial legal battle that has been going on for the last decade.
What did the company say?
The company stated that the settlement covers approximately 76,000 claims. These include cases being heard concurrently in federal court in New Jersey and related lawsuits pending in various state courts. The company states that this settlement represents nearly all of the remaining talc-related claims against it.
What was the allegation?
Johnson & Johnson was accused of containing asbestos in its talc powder, which caused serious diseases like mesothelioma and ovarian cancer. Nearly 20 years later, lawyers have reached a settlement. Eric Haas, the company's vice president, said the allegations were baseless, but the company was settling to end the long-running dispute.
How much compensation will be received?
Johnson & Johnson will pay $3 billion (INR 28,680 crore) in 2027 and the remaining amount in 2028. However, if more people join the settlement, the total payment could reach $7 billion (INR 66,920 crore) or even higher. The settlement will cover eligible ovarian cancer claims, but there is no limit on the company's total payout.
Discontinued baby powder
Johnson & Johnson maintains that its talc products are safe and do not contain asbestos. The company stopped selling baby powder containing talc in the US in 2020, but the legal dispute resumed in 2025 after its attempt to resolve the matter through bankruptcy proceedings failed.
