Louisiana Court Rejects New Trial in Talcum Powder Cancer Case

A Louisiana appellate court upheld Colgate-Palmolive’s defense against allegations that its Cashmere Bouquet talcum powder contained asbestos, following a three-week trial sparked by a woman’s mesothelioma diagnosis. The case, initiated by Vita C. in 2018 after her cancer diagnosis, continued through her sons following her death in 2019. While the initial jury found no evidence of asbestos contamination in the product, the Chenet family’s request for a new trial based on concerns about expert testimony was first granted but later reversed on appeal. The case joins thousands of similar lawsuits facing talc product manufacturers, including Johnson & Johnson.

5 Key Points

  • Vita C. died from mesothelioma in 2019, one year after her diagnosis and filing of the lawsuit.
  • Colgate-Palmolive’s Cashmere Bouquet talcum powder was the central product in question.
  • A Louisiana jury found no evidence of asbestos contamination after a three-week trial.
  • The appellate court rejected the family’s attempt to secure a new trial based on concerns about expert testimony.
  • The case prompted the FDA to implement new testing requirements in 2022.

Sons Pursue Legal Action After Mother’s 2019 Death

Vita C.’s sons filed suit in Louisiana’s Civil District Court after their mother’s mesothelioma diagnosis in 2018. The lawsuit claimed decades of Cashmere Bouquet use exposed their mother to asbestos fibers, leading to her death in 2019. Mesothelioma, a cancer affecting the lung lining, develops only through asbestos exposure, according to the American Cancer Society. The Chenets maintained that Colgate-Palmolive’s talcum powder, marketed for its oil-absorbing properties in personal care, contained hidden asbestos that caused their mother’s fatal illness.

Complex Legal Battle Unfolds in Louisiana Courts

The three-week trial in New Orleans centered on the Chenet family’s challenge to Colgate-Palmolive’s talc mining and testing protocols. After hearing testimony from mineralogy experts, the jury found no proof of asbestos contamination in Cashmere Bouquet samples. The Chenets contested this verdict, arguing that Colgate’s expert witness presented misleading information about talc processing methods. While the district court initially granted their motion for a new trial, Colgate-Palmolive successfully appealed this decision, securing a final victory in the case.

Talc Safety Scrutiny Extends Beyond Single Case

Colgate-Palmolive sourced talc for Cashmere Bouquet from mines where asbestos deposits naturally occur alongside talc formations. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration requires manufacturers to select mining sites and test talc supplies to prevent asbestos contamination. Johnson & Johnson faced 40,000 lawsuits alleging asbestos contamination in their talc products. The natural co-occurrence of talc and asbestos minerals has pushed manufacturers to defend their nationwide mining and testing practices in courts.

Legal Cases Shape Consumer Safety Standards

The Chenet verdict marks a significant decision in talc litigation across U.S. courts. While Colgate-Palmolive prevailed in this case, other manufacturers have paid settlements to mesothelioma patients. The FDA launched new talc testing protocols in 2022 to detect asbestos contamination in consumer products. These lawsuits have led manufacturers to publicly document their talc sourcing and testing methods to meet FDA standards.