Johnson & Johnson has agreed to pay more than $100 million to settle more than 1,000 talc-related lawsuits linked to the company’s baby powder.
The world’s largest maker of health care products still faces more than 19,000 suits involving the product, but Monday’s announcement marks the first set of major settlements after four years of litigation, Bloomberg reported.
Johnson & Johnson to pay more than $100 million to settle over 1,000 talc lawsuits: Bloomberg https://t.co/0SLXc7Zaov pic.twitter.com/EmgyfqeFff
— Reuters (@Reuters) October 5, 2020
Specifically, plaintiffs claim J&J’s talc products caused cancer due to asbestos contamination, while the company has maintained that its talc is safe, Reuters reported.
“In certain circumstances, we do choose to settle lawsuits, which is done without an admission of liability and in no way changes our position regarding the safety of our products,” Kim Montagnino, a J&J spokeswoman, said in an emailed statement to Bloomberg.
“Our talc is safe, does not contain asbestos and does not cause cancer,” she added.