Calif. Court Affirms Defense Verdict in Asbestos-Containing Talc Case, Finds No Error With Exclusion of Vintage Samples

LOS ANGELES –– A California appellate court has affirmed a defense verdict in an asbestos-containing talcum powder case, finding that the trial court did not err when it found that vintage samples of the defendant’s Cashmere Bouquet were not sufficiently reliable to support a plaintiff expert’s opinion.

In the Aug. 25 opinion, the California Second District Court of Appeal, Division Four, found no error with the trial court’s assessment that the expert could not “bridge the gap to supply a sufficient basis for his opinion” on the plaintiff’s exposure without the vintage sample testing.

Elizabeth Alfaro asserted the claims, contending …