Johnson & Johnson to pay Oklahoma millions in talc lawsuit settlement

Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond was one of 42 state attorneys general to reach a settlement agreement on Tuesday with Johnson & Johnson to resolve a lawsuit over the company's talcum powder products. (Photo by Janelle Stecklein/Oklahoma Voice)

OKLAHOMA CITY — A lawsuit settlement with Johnson & Johnson will net Oklahoma $9.8 million as well as a pledge from the company to stop producing talc-based products.

The amount the pharmaceutical corporation will pay to Oklahoma is part of a $700 million multi-state agreement reached Tuesday to resolve a lawsuit over Johnson & Johnson’s products containing talcum powder, such as baby powder, body powder and cosmetics.

The company has faced thousands of lawsuits throughout the country, including in Oklahoma County, from states and individual plaintiffs who allege the talcum powder was contaminated with cancer-causing asbestos.

Attorneys general from Texas, Florida and North Carolina led the lawsuit that included Oklahoma, along with 41 other states and the District of Columbia.

Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond will use the $9.8 million to further his duties and activities under the consumer protection act, his office said.

“This landmark settlement signifies a tremendous step forward in consumer protection for Oklahomans and all Americans,” Drummond said in a statement. “With research underscoring the connection between these products and ovarian cancer, this settlement is a responsible course of action.”

The suing states contend Johnson & Johnson knew at least by the 1950s of the potential presence of asbestos in the company’s talc products.

Despite knowing of the contamination risk, Johnson & Johnson continued promoting these powders as safe for consumers to use, the lawsuit alleges.

The company has stood by the safety of its talc products and said any talc-related claims are meritless.

But it agreed in the multi-state settlement to stop manufacturing, selling and promoting any products containing talcum powder.

Johnson & Johnson will pay Oklahoma’s share of the agreement in four annual installments of about $2.45 million through 2027.

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