Daily Management Review

Court rejects Johnson & Johnson's plan to settle talcum-related disputes for $9 billion


04/02/2025


Texas bankruptcy judge Christopher Lopez has dismissed a proposal from US health products manufacturer Johnson & Johnson (J&J) aimed at resolving current and future lawsuits concerning the use of talcum powder in its products, according to Barron's.



Mike Mozart
Mike Mozart
The firm aimed to settle the conflicts via the bankruptcy of a subsidiary; however, Lopez stated it did not qualify under Section 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code, which would have shielded it from potential claims.

J&J announced it will not challenge the judge's decision but will persist in defending its interests throughout the case proceedings. The firm was ready to allocate roughly $9 billion for the settlement, but will now reactivate a bankruptcy clause established for approximately $7 billion.

In 2020, J&J ceased the sale of talcum powder products in the U.S. and Canada following lawsuits from consumers alleging that traces of asbestos, a recognized carcinogen, were present in the talcum powder. The Financial Times estimated that there are tens of thousands of lawsuits.

J&J stocks have decreased by 3.1 percent in pre-market trading on Tuesday.

source: ft.com