Johnson & Johnson's $6.5 billion talc lawsuit settlement offer

Johnson & Johnson has put forth a $6.5 billion settlement proposal to resolve claims that its talc products led to ovarian cancer, a move that could bring an end to years of legal battles over the safety of its products. The pharmaceutical giant, once a titan in consumer goods, faces accusations that its talc items caused harm to women, with some cases resulting in death. Despite maintaining the safety of its talc products, J&J ceased their sale in 2020 and later announced a global discontinuation. The proposed settlement aims to resolve 99.75% of pending talc lawsuits in the U.S., excluding mesothelioma cases. J&J's offer is part of a bankruptcy reorganization plan for a subsidiary, LLT Management, giving claimants a three-month window to vote on the proposal. However, plaintiffs' attorneys have criticized the settlement, alleging it would cheat legitimate victims of talc-related harm. The legal battle surrounding J&J's talc products has been a long and contentious one, with this settlement offer potentially marking a turning point in the company's legal woes.