Colgate-Palmolive and the company’s Cashmere Bouquet baby powder products are at the center of yet another claim that they caused someone’s mesothelioma. The case involves a 67-year-old man who said that the talc-based powders marketed by Colgate-Palmolive and Mennen (its predecessor company) were contaminated with asbestos and caused his mesothelioma. He claimed that the companies did not give sufficient warning about the use of asbestos in its products, stating that his mesothelioma was caused by exposure to the mineral.
Colgate-Palmolive denied the allegations, arguing that the company’s products never contained asbestos, so there was no reliable evidence to link the exposure to the plaintiff’s cancer. However, just before the lawsuit was set to go to trial in California Superior Court in Los Angeles, Colgate-Palmolive signed an agreement, in the plaintiff’s favor, in a confidential settlement. The same thing happened just last year.
In late 2017, the company agreed to settle another talcum powder-mesothelioma lawsuit for an undisclosed amount. The agreement allowed the company to avoid going to trial in New Jersey Superior Court. In 2015, a Los Angeles Superior Court jury ordered the company to pay a weighty $13 million to another plaintiff who developed mesothelioma after using the company’s talc-based powders.
Colgate-Palmolive isn’t the only company embroiled in multiple lawsuits related to their talc products. Between February 2015 and today, around half a dozen talcum powder-ovarian cancer cases have produced multi-million dollar verdicts against consumer packaged goods giant Johnson & Johnson. Damages in those cases range from $55 million to $417 million.
If you are concerned about the risks of using talc, the American Cancer Society says that until more information is available, you may want to avoid or limit your use of consumer products that contain it.
If you have been exposed to asbestos, please see your doctor right away. Although there is no cure for mesothelioma, studies show that early detection could lead to better treatment options and longer survival. See your doctor today.
Sources
“Asbestos and Cancer Risk.” American Cancer Society. American Cancer Society Inc., 2018. Web. 24 July 2018.
Christensen, Jen “New Jersey couple awarded $117 million in talcum powder case.” CNN. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., 11 Apr. 2018. Web. 23 July 2018.
Liebhard, Sandy. “Colgate-Palmolive Settles Another Talcum Powder Cancer Lawsuit.” Rxinjuryhelp.com. BL, LLP., 17 July 2018. Web. 23 July 2018.
Prance-Miles, Louise. “Colgate-Palmolive Reaches Settlement in Baby Powder Lawsuit.” Global Cosmetics News. Global Cosmetics News, 12 July 2018. Web. 23 July 2018.
