Johnson & Johnson announces $5.5 billion settlement of talc lawsuits
J&J said the settlement will resolve about 69,000 cases consolidated in federal court and related cases in state court, totalling 99.75% of the remaining talc claims.
On July 28, 2026, pharmaceutical giant Johnson & Johnson announced a settlement of $5.5 billion to resolve tens of thousands of lawsuits claiming its talc-based baby powder caused ovarian cancer. This settlement covers approximately 69,000 cases consolidated in federal court and related state court claims, accounting for 99.75% of remaining talc-related lawsuits.
Johnson & Johnson's law firms confirmed the agreement on July 27, 2026, stating it was a favorable resolution after a decade-long legal battle. A recent federal judge's ruling in the case cast doubt on plaintiffs' ability to prove that talc specifically caused their ovarian cancer. Despite this setback, Johnson & Johnson maintains that its talc products are safe and free of asbestos.
The company ceased selling talc-based baby powder in the United States in 2020, replacing it with a cornstarch alternative. Legal proceedings were reignited in March 2025 after being stalled for over three years due to J&J's unsuccessful attempts to resolve the disputes via a shell company's bankruptcy.
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