How Much Each State Will Get From J&J Talc Settlement
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California, Texas and Florida will receive the lion’s share of the nearly $700 million court settlement with Johnson & Johnson to resolve ovarian cancer claims associated with its marketing of talcum powder. The settlement was announced in early June 2024.
Attorneys general from 42 states and the District of Columbia filed a lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson regarding the marketing of talc-based products. The settlement, pending court approval, requires the company to stop producing and selling talc-based products like Johnson’s Baby Powder and Shower to Shower.
The settlement will be paid out in four annual installments of $175 million each starting July 30, 2024. The total payout will range from $3 million to $78 million, depending on the state.
State-by-State Talc Settlement Payments (In Millions of Dollars)
- Alabama: $13.4
- Alaska: $3.1
- Arizona: $15.4
- Arkansas: $12.7
- California: $78
- Colorado: $14.3
- Connecticut: $9.2
- Delaware: $4.9
- District of Columbia: $3
- Florida: $48
- Georgia: $24.1
- Hawaii: $5.3
- Idaho: $5.7
- Illinois: $29
- Indiana: $18
- Iowa: $9.4
- Kansas: $11.4
- Kentucky: $9
- Maine: $4.8
- Maryland: $14.9
- Massachusetts: $14.5
- Michigan: $20.6
- Minnesota: $10.5
- Montana: $3.5
- Nebraska: $5.2
- Nevada: $6.1
- New Hampshire: $5.9
- New Jersey: $30.2
- New York: $44
- North Carolina: $27.3
- North Dakota: $3.2
- Ohio: $27.7
- Oklahoma: $9.8
- Oregon: $15
- Rhode Island: $6.9
- South Dakota: $3.6
- Texas: $61.5
- Utah: $7.5
- Vermont: $3.1
- Virginia: $21.1
- Washington state: $13.9
- West Virginia: $5.9
- Wisconsin: $15.8
Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee and Wyoming were not part of the lawsuit.
Attorneys General Praise J&J Talc Settlement
California Attorney General Rob Bonta emphasized the significance of holding Johnson & Johnson accountable for prioritizing profit over consumer safety.
“For the people who were harmed, it’s devastating,” Bonta said.
California will use its share of the settlement to investigate and remedy harm caused by unlawful business practices, according to the attorney general.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton highlighted the settlement’s importance in ensuring consumer protection. Texas, along with Florida and North Carolina, led the effort.
“We have reached a landmark settlement with Johnson & Johnson, ensuring that the company will abide by the law and take effective steps to protect consumers,” Paxton said.
“This is a major advancement for consumer product safety, as Johnson & Johnson has stopped the manufacturing and marketing of products containing talc powder — which may be linked to serious health issues, including cancer,” Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody said.
Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum announced that $4.7 million of the state’s $15 million payout is earmarked to “directly support women’s health,” including breast and ovarian cancer screenings.
“With research underscoring the connection between these products and ovarian cancer, this settlement is a responsible course of action,” Oklahoma Attorney General Genter Drummond said.
Thousands of Talcum Powder Lawsuits Are Still Pending
The settlement does not affect the tens of thousands of personal injury talcum powder lawsuits pending in federal and state courts around the U.S. There were 57,365 lawsuits pending against Johnson & Johnson in a federal multidistrict litigation in New Jersey as of June 3, 2024.
These lawsuits claim that talcum powder caused ovarian cancer, mesothelioma or other cancers. Some claim talc was contaminated with asbestos.
An Oregon state court jury awarded a $260 million verdict to a woman who claimed long-term use of Johnson & Johnson’s talc was responsible for her mesothelioma.
Johnson & Johnson has consistently said that its talcum powder products are safe. In May 2024, the company offered $6.48 billion to settle all of the ovarian cancer lawsuits it currently faces. Experts say the offer may be approved by the end of next month.
