Johnson & Johnson adds $1.1 billion to proposed talc settlement

(Reuters) -Johnson & Johnson plans to pay an additional $1.1 billion to resolve thousands of legal actions alleging its baby powder and other talc products caused cancer, according to two people familiar with the matter.

J&J (NYSE:JNJ) said on Wednesday that it has secured 12,000 more votes in favor of its talc settlement plan after winning over a longtime opponent of the company’s proposed settlement.

J&J previously announced a plan to pay $8 billion over 25 years to settle the lawsuits. The company declined to comment on the increase.

The new settlement terms have recently won support from Allen Smith, a tort lawyer who, along with another firm, jointly represents roughly 12,000 claimants.