J&J offers $5.5bn to settle baby powder lawsuits

Johnson & Johnson (J&J) has offered to pay $5.5bn (£4.13bn) to resolve tens of thousands of lawsuits in the US alleging its talcum powder caused ovarian cancer.

The company said the settlement covers around 76,000 claims, having already settled most cases alleging its talc contained asbestos and caused mesothelioma.

J&J's vice president of litigation, Erik Haas, said the move was motivated by a desire to get closure – describing the claims themselves as "meritless".

"While we are confident the company would have ultimately prevailed with ​further litigation, as it has in the vast majority of cases tried to date, this resolution allows the company ⁠to put this matter behind it and remain focused on ⁠its mission to develop medicines and devices that save lives," he said.

J&J has long denied its talcum powder products caused cancer and had won several individual trials before the settlement was announced on Monday.

J&J stopped selling talc-based baby powder in the US in 2020, switching to a cornstarch product. It did the same globally in 2023.

The firm expects to pay $3bn (£2.26bn) in 2027, with further payments the following year. One lawyer who represents about 2,500 clients said the final total could be $7bn (£5.27bn) or more.

"We got a fair settlement, and our clients are going to be happy with it," said Chris Seeger.

The settlement must be accepted by legal companies representing 95% of the claims before it can be finalised.

J&J facing similar battle in UK

J&J has also been facing legal action from thousands of people in the UK, who allege they or a family member developed forms of ovarian cancer or mesothelioma from using Johnson's baby powder between 1965 and 2023.

A lawsuit was filed by KP Law at the High Court in London last year, seeking damages against J&J and Kenvue UK, which was split from the former in 2023 and now operates as a separate business.

The lawsuit alleges J&J's product was contaminated with carcinogenic fibres, including asbestos, and the firm concealed the risk to the public for decades.

Kenvue said in a statement at the time that J&J baby powder "did not contain asbestos and does not cause cancer".

(c) Sky News 2026: J&J offers $5.5bn to settle baby powder lawsuits