Johnson & Johnson is about to end what can be described as one of the most controversial lawsuits in the pharmaceutical industry. The pharma giant has agreed to pay $5.5 billion to settle tens of thousands of cases alleging that its baby powder and other talc products can cause ovarian cancer. The settlement covers around 76,000 lawsuits pending across U.S. federal and state courts. It will be final after it gets approved by 95% of eligible claimants. If finalized, a few payments are expected to begin in 2027, with additional payouts extending into 2028. Johnson & Johnson To Settle Talc-Cancer Lawsuit According to Reuters, the settlement covers 99.75% of the remaining ovarian cancer claims against Johnson & Johnson. The company has previously resolved most lawsuits involving mesothelioma, another cancer linked to alleged asbestos in its talc products. The agreement comes after years of courtroom battles, manipulative bankruptcy strategies, and mixed trial verdicts. It also follows a recent ruling by a U.S. federal judge questioning whether plaintiffs' expert witnesses had provided the court with sufficient scientific evidence that links talc use directly to ovarian cancer, a development that strengthened J&J's legal position ahead of negotiations.Also read: US Man Says ChatGPT's Medical Advice Nearly Killed Him: How Safe Is AI for Health Questions? Johnson & Johnson Continues To Plead 'Not Guilty'Despite agreeing to the massive settlement, Johnson & Johnson continues to deny that its talc products caused cancer. Erik Haas, the pharma company's Vice President of Litigation, said the claims were "meritless" and that the company chose to settle to obtain closure after years of litigation. The company has consistently maintained that its talc products are safe, asbestos-free, and that the settlement does not constitute admission of any wrongdoing. The law firms representing thousands of women reportedly welcomed the agreement, describing it as a long-awaited resolution after nearly a decade of tedious litigation. According to Reuters, attorneys representing the claimants said the settlement delivers meaningful compensation to affected women and their families after years of legal ambiguity.Also read: Novo Nordisk Sues Eli Lilly Over Weight-Loss Drug Ads: Should GLP-1 Users Be Concerned? J&J Talc-Cancer Lawsuit: About The Controversial Case The lawsuits became one of the largest mass tort cases. The case combined complex scientific questions with allegations that the company knew of possible health risks but failed to warn the consumers and continued to sell the products. The case dates back more than a decade, when women who had regularly used Johnson's Baby Powder for feminine hygiene began filing lawsuits alleging that it had increased their risk of ovarian cancer. Another group of lawsuits alleged that certain talc products contained asbestos, a known carcinogen that could cause mesothelioma. Johnson & Johnson has repeatedly denied that its talc products contain asbestos or caused cancer. The first major jury verdict awarded $72 million to the family of Jacqueline Fox, who died from ovarian cancer after decades of talc use. Although the verdict was later overturned, it sparked thousands of similar lawsuits. A California jury awarded $417 million to Eva Echeverria, who claimed long-term use of Baby Powder caused her ovarian cancer. One of the largest verdicts came when 22 women were awarded $4.69 billion (later reduced on appeal to $2.1 billion) after a Missouri jury found J&J liable for failing to warn consumers about asbestos in their talc products. Some studies found a link between genital talc use and ovarian cancer, whereas others found insufficient evidence. This disagreement remains the highlight of the courtroom battles even today with no definite discovery.