Johnson & Johnson agrees to $5.5 billion settlement over baby powder claims

American consumer goods giant Johnson & Johnson has agreed to pay 5.5 billion dollars to resolve tens of thousands of lawsuits linked to its talcum-based baby powder products.

Plaintiffs in the extensive legal dispute have alleged that the company's talc products were contaminated with asbestos and caused ovarian cancer. Johnson & Johnson has continuously rejected all allegations regarding product safety and maintained that its baby powder was safe for consumer use. The multi-billion-dollar payout is designed to settle the vast majority of pending claims and end years of complex litigation.

Sources: FAZ