Court Affirms Verdict Involving Exposure to Asbestos in Talc Products

FRANKFORT, Ky. -- A Kentucky appellate court has affirmed a $5.6 million verdict in a talc case, rejecting defense efforts to have the verdict thrown out on several grounds, including that the case was untimely and that discovery sanctions were improper. R.T. Vanderbilt Co. Inc. v. Franklin, et al., No. 2007-CA-002103-MR (Ky. Ct. App.).

In the Feb. 6 opinion, the Kentucky Court of Appeals noted in part that, while severe, the sanctions imposed against the defendant for its failure to comply with discovery orders were not an abuse of discretion.

The claims were asserted on behalf of Flora Franklin, who …