Johnson & Johnson offers $5.5bn to settle talc lawsuits

Johnson & Johnson (J&J) has proposed paying up to $5.5bn to resolve about 69,000 US lawsuits alleging its talc-based baby powder caused ovarian cancer. The settlement, which requires acceptance by 95% of claimants, would end a decade-long legal battle. J&J denies the claims and has discontinued talc products. The deal does not cover UK cases where a separate lawsuit is pending.