Johnson & Johnson announces $5.5 billion talc lawsuit settlement

Published Jul 28, 04:38 AM UTC

Johnson & Johnson announced a $5.5 billion settlement on July 28, 2026, to resolve approximately 69,000 lawsuits consolidated in federal court and related state court cases, covering 99.75% of remaining talc claims. The lawsuits alleged that J&J's baby powder and other talc products caused ovarian cancer. Plaintiffs' law firms confirmed the deal, calling it a good resolution after a decade-long legal battle. J&J has consistently denied that its talc products cause cancer, stating they are safe and asbestos-free. The company stopped selling talc-based baby powder in the U.S. in 2020, switching to cornstarch. The litigation had been on hold for over three years during J&J's failed attempts to resolve claims through a shell company's bankruptcy, resuming in March 2025. A recent federal court victory for J&J cast doubt on plaintiffs' ability to prove talc specifically caused ovarian cancer.