Johnson & Johnson announced Tuesday that it will offer at least $8.9 billion to resolve lawsuits filed by people who allege that the company’s products containing talc caused cancer, particularly ovarian cancer or mesothelioma. The potential Johnson & Johnson lawsuit settlement amount is a considerable increase from the $2 billion that the company previously set aside in October 2021.
Under the proposal, a J&J subsidiary would re-file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and seek court approval. If it goes through, it would result in one of the largest product liability settlements in United States history, according to The Associated Press.
The $8.9 billion would be payable over the next 25 years, and the proposed amount is being backed by more than 60,000 parties that have filed lawsuits claiming harm from using J&J talcum powder.
Talcum powder is a soft, white powder often used to help keep skin dry, combat odor, or prevent rashes. It is made from talc, a naturally occurring mineral containing magnesium, silicon, and oxygen.
While talc is a natural substance, some experts believe it contains cancer-causing properties, and in recent years, researchers have theorized there is a link between talcum powder and ovarian cancer, mesothelioma, and other serious medical concerns.
In one major study, talc regularly used in the genital area was associated with a 33 percent overall increase in ovarian cancer risk.
Plus, talc and asbestos – a well-known carcinogenic mineral – are naturally occurring minerals that are often mined alongside each other, Forbes reported. In October 2019, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) completed a year-long study of talc-containing cosmetic products in which asbestos was detected in several products and worked with manufacturers on recalls of some of the products that had traces of asbestos.
Johnson & Johnson announced in August 2022 that it would pull all talcum powder products off the market internationally in 2023 and replace talc with cornstarch. But by then, an untold number of consumers may already have been impacted.
Thousands of plaintiffs in lawsuits against the company support this new proposal, and a group of plaintiffs’ law firms said in a statement, “The newly announced settlement marks a significant victory for the tens of thousands of women suffering from gynecological cancers caused by J&J’s talc-based products.”
“Under the terms of the agreement, all talc claimants will be able to have their claims evaluated and assessed within one year of plan confirmation, ensuring a swift and efficient resolution for victims of the company’s misconduct.”
The company isn’t admitting any wrongdoing as part of the proposed settlement. In fact, a company executive, Erik Haas, worldwide vice president of litigation at Johnson & Johnson, said in a statement that the claims “are specious and lack scientific merit,” according to CBS News.
If you or a loved one used Johnson & Johnson’s talc products or other baby powder products and were diagnosed with ovarian cancer or mesothelioma, please contact us to discuss your legal options.
The team at Phillips Law Group can offer a free evaluation to determine whether you might have a Johnson & Johnson lawsuit case. Please give us a call to learn more!
