J&J seeks backing for R200 billion deal after baby powder cancer controversy

Johnson & Johnson will ask thousands of people suing over its allegedly tainted baby powder to vote for a settlement that would resolve all litigation for $11 billion (R204 billion) — $2.1 billion (nearly R40 billion) more than the company offered last year.

In a news release Wednesday, J&J urged those who blame the talc-based powder for ovarian cancer to support a third bankruptcy filing aimed at corralling all current and future legal claims. Two earlier attempts to use Chapter 11 to foster such a deal failed as plaintiffs held out for a bigger payout.