The trials with talc and mesothelioma issues are getting tougher, with more and better experts for the defense. The result of a 3 week California trial was a defense verdict for the manufacturers/sellers of a talcum powder product. The jury issued a 9-3 verdict for defendants Colgate-Palmolive Co. and Imerys Talc America Inc. The trial is said to have lasted three weeks, and the Lanier firm took the loss. Deliberations were nominally three days, but apparently were prolonged by juror issues, according to a June 27, 2016 article by HarrisMartin (paywall).
According to HarrisMartin:
“Plaintiffs claimed that Ms. Alfaro developed peritoneal and pleural mesothelioma due to allegedly asbestos-containing talc product Cashmere Bouquet, manufactured by Colgate-Palmolive with talc supplied by Imerys Talc America.Alfaro specifically said that her mother used talcum powder on her daughter from birth, and she continued to use the product until she became a teenager.
“Colgate-Palmolive and Imerys Talc America both argued at trial that its product was not contaminated with asbestos; the defendants further said that Alfaro’s mesothelioma was spontaneous and not caused by exposure to asbestos.
Sources told HarrisMartin that when answering the first question on the verdict sheet –– was Alfaro exposed to asbestos from Cashmere Bouquet –– jurors found that, in fact, she had not been.”
Testifying on behalf of the defendant were Matthew Sanchez, Ph.D., Jennifer Sahmel, CIH, Brook Mossman, Ph.D., and Suresh Moolgavkar, Ph.D.
Testifying on behalf of the plaintiff were Arnold Brody, Ph.D., Jerrold Abraham, M.D., Barry Castleman, Ph.D., David Fractor, Ph.D., and Sean Fitzgerald.
Alfaro v. Colgate-Palmolive Co., et al., No. BC583520 (Calif. Super. Ct., Los Angeles Ct.).”