Rhode Island attorney general reaches massive settlement with Johnson & Johnson

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — Attorney General Peter Neronha has reached a nearly $7 million settlement with Johnson & Johnson to aid Rhode Island’s recovery from the manufacturing of harmful baby powder products.

The settlement is the result of a $700 million nationwide lawsuit resolving allegations related to the marketing of the company’s baby powder and body powder products containing talc.

Talc is alleged in numerous lawsuits to cause serious health issues including mesothelioma and ovarian cancer, according to officials.

The Attorney General’s Office for Rhode Island said the state is expected to receive approximately $6.9 million, pending judicial approval.

“The nearly $7 million Rhode Island will receive in settlement proceeds is a direct consequence of Johnson & Johnson’s alleged misrepresentations of the safety of their product,” Neronha said.

According to the attorney general’s office, under the agreement, Johnson & Johnson will:

• Cease and not resume the manufacturing, marketing, promotion, sale, and distribution of all baby and body powder products and cosmetic powder products that contain talcum powder in the United States.
• Permanently stop the manufacture of any Covered Products in the United States either directly, or indirectly through any third party.
• Permanently stop the marketing and promotion of any Covered Products in the United States either directly, or indirectly through any third party.
• Permanently stop the sale or distribution of any Covered Products in the United States either directly, or indirectly through any third party.