Johnson & Johnson's $8 Billion Talc Settlement Rejected: A Win for Plaintiffs' Rights

A U.S. bankruptcy judge has rejected Johnson & Johnson's (J&J) proposed $8 billion settlement aimed at resolving tens of thousands of lawsuits alleging that the brand’s talc-based products caused ovarian cancer and fallopian tube cancer. This marks the third unsuccessful attempt by J&J to settle these claims through bankruptcy proceedings. 

With the settlement rejected, lawsuits against J&J may now proceed in court, and that means there’s still time to pursue compensation.

If you or a loved one were affected by the talcum powder in Johnson & Johnson’s products, then contact Morgan & Morgan today for a free case evaluation to learn more about your legal options.

Johnson & Johnson Talc Powder: What to Know

Johnson & Johnson introduced baby powder, or talcum powder, to the market in 1894. 

Talcum powder is made from talc. Talc is a mineral made up mainly of magnesium, silicon, and oxygen. As a powder, it absorbs moisture well and helps cut down on friction, making it useful for keeping skin dry and helping prevent rashes. It is widely used in cosmetic products such as baby powder and adult body and facial powders, as well as in a number of other consumer products.

This mineral naturally occurs close to asbestos in the earth, which can lead to contamination of the talc powder with cancer-causing asbestos when it is mined.

After some frequent talcum powder users developed serious illnesses, many began to take legal action. Johnson & Johnson talc lawsuits claim the powder caused various cancers, including:

• Ovarian cancer
• Fallopian tube cancer

After facing thousands of lawsuits alleging that its contaminated talc caused cancer, J&J insisted on the safety and purity of its iconic product. However, leaked internal documents showed that the company's powder was sometimes tainted with carcinogenic asbestos and that J&J kept that information from regulators and the public.

The Latest on the Johnson & Johnson Talc Powder Settlement

J&J has lost multimillion-dollar lawsuits related to ovarian cancer and mesothelioma caused by baby powder. The company had attempted to channel its talc liabilities into a newly formed subsidiary, Red River Talc LLC, which then filed for bankruptcy—a strategy commonly referred to as the "Texas two-step." 

Over 62,000 talc-related lawsuits have been filed against Johnson & Johnson, with around 99% of these claims involving ovarian cancer.

In May 2024, J&J proposed a multibillion-dollar settlement for lawsuits alleging the company's talc products caused ovarian cancer. However, a judge rejected J&J’s settlement proposal, refusing the terms of the settlement and the amount offered.

According to the judge, the company isn’t in financial distress and doesn’t belong in bankruptcy, and the “Texas two-step” plan shielded companies from liability that hadn’t filed for bankruptcy, including retailers and the health company Kenvue.

And while it was reported that 75% of plaintiffs supported the settlement terms, the judge determined that there were flaws in the votes for J&J’s proposal, like lawyers voting on behalf of clients without being authorized to do so, and that not enough women with ovarian cancer were in support of the plan.

The Good News About The Rejected Settlement

The rejection of this settlement is a victory for plaintiffs seeking their day in court. It underscores the importance of holding corporations accountable through the civil justice system, rather than allowing them to circumvent liability via tricky bankruptcy maneuvers.

J&J has announced that it will not appeal the decision and plans to contest the claims in court. The company maintains that its talc products are safe, even though they have now shifted from talc-based to cornstarch-based baby powder as of 2020.

Fortunately, this ruling allows those affected to still see their day in court.​

If you or a loved one has been affected by talc-related products, take action now and contact Morgan & Morgan. Our experienced attorneys are here to help you navigate the legal process and fight for the compensation you deserve. Hiring one of our lawyers is easy, and you can get started in minutes with a free case evaluation.