Calif. Jury Awards $13 Million in Asbestos-Containing Talc Exposure Case; Parties Later Settle

LOS ANGELES –– Plaintiffs alleging asbestos-related talc claims have reached a settlement agreement with Colgate-Palmolive shortly before a jury began deliberations on whether punitive damages should be added to an earlier award of $13 million.

The California Superior Court for Los Angeles County jury awarded the plaintiffs $13 million, including $1.4 million for loss of consortium, on April 28. Jurors allocated 95 percent liability to lone remaining defendant Colgate-Palmolive.

The case is believed to be the first trial, and verdict, against Colgate in a case involving claims that exposure to asbestos in the defendant’s Cashmere Bouquet product caused …