Johnson & Johnson settles 15-year talc litigation for $5.5 billion

Johnson & Johnson reached a settlement of $5.5 billion to resolve remaining federal and state ovarian cancer talc litigation after legal proceedings that stretched over 15 years. The agreement requires 95 percent participation from remaining claimants to proceed and arrived as the court challenged plaintiffs to justify why pending claims should not be dismissed outright. Plaintiffs had withdrawn expert witnesses in two key bellwether cases after a hearing exposed unreliable scientific methodologies underlying their causation claims. The company maintains its long-held position that cosmetic talc is safe, asbestos-free, and supported by decades of independent medical research. The initial payment, capped at $3 billion, is scheduled for 2027, with no further payouts required until 2028.

1. Settlement resolves remaining federal and state ovarian cancer talc litigation
2. Total settlement amount is $5.5 billion
3. Requires 95 percent participation rate from remaining claimants to move forward
4. Initial payment capped at $3 billion scheduled for 2027; no further payouts until 2028
5. July 22, 2026 court ruling demanded plaintiffs justify why pending claims should not be dismissed
6. Plaintiffs withdrew expert witnesses in two bellwether cases due to unreliable scientific methodologies
7. Settlement announced July 28, 2026; agreement for completion of acquisition announced July 29, 2026