A couple in Minnesota won a mesothelioma lawsuit against a manufacturer responsible for several popular brands of talc products.
A jury awarded $10.2 million to Daniel H. and his wife in a claim against St. Louis-based Vi-Jon LLC and other companies. For years, Vi-Jon manufactured store-brand baby powders, body powders, and foot powders with talc.
Daniel used several of these, including ones sold at stores like Walmart and Walgreens, for years. He was diagnosed with mesothelioma in 2024 at the age of 43. Mesothelioma is a rare and fast-spreading cancer only caused by exposure to asbestos. People who use talc products and develop mesothelioma blame the products because they were contaminated with sharp asbestos fibers.
Asbestos Risks for Talcum Powders
Talc and asbestos are natural minerals found in the earth’s soil. Asbestos was used for decades in construction and insulation, but companies stopped manufacturing products with talc in the 1980s due to the discovery that it was linked to cancer. Manufacturers also were put at the center of the cases as defendants in multi-million-dollar lawsuits.
Talc was mined for use in cosmetics and powders to make skin healthier. The mineral’s ability to absorb moisture led to it being a main ingredient in Johnson & Johnson’s Baby Powder and other popular brands.
However, asbestos and talc are found near one another in the earth’s soil. Mining for talc can lead to sharp fibers getting mixed in during the manufacturing process. This contamination can expose consumers to sharp fibers that get inhaled or swallowed and stuck in cell linings.
Lawsuits led to Johnson & Johnson ending the manufacturing and sale of the company’s popular talc baby powder. Other companies followed, ending their use of talc in cosmetics and skincare products.
More About Lawsuit in Minnesota
The victim, Daniel, was exposed for years to asbestos from using store-brand talc products sold at Target, Walmart, and Walgreens. These powders were Walmart’s “Equate”, Target’s “Up & Up”, and Walgreens’ store-brand powders.
The jury found that Vi-Jon’s manufacturing practices of talc powders years ago exposed him to asbestos and led to his mesothelioma. According to reports, Vi-Jon allegedly did not investigate or test its products even after warnings of the risks of using talc. The company even assured customers such as Walmart and Walgreens to continue selling the products even after Vi-Jon stopped manufacturing.
Other companies named in the lawsuit were Gold Bond, Merck, Johnson & Johnson, and Perrigo Co. The jury found that they all manufactured talcum powder products in a dangerous manner and failed to warn consumers of the risks.
The victim was diagnosed in 2024 and given a prognosis of 1 year to live. While he managed to testify in the trial, he is on oxygen and confined to a wheelchair, evident of declining health.
The $10.2 million ruling is the second largest mesothelioma lawsuit verdict in Minnesota history.
What to Do if You Have Mesothelioma From Using Talc
The use of talc in baby powders, body powders, foot powders, cosmetics, and other skincare products may have exposed millions of people to asbestos. Asbestos contamination in store-brand products sold at Walgreens, Walmart, and Target likely affected many consumers like Daniel.
Fortunately, help is available. People diagnosed with mesothelioma after years of using talc products do not need to suffer in silence. They can take the manufacturing companies to court with lawsuits – and receive verdicts capable of helping their family overcome lost wages, medical bills, and more.
If you have mesothelioma, please contact our team to learn your options. Email Carl Jewett at cjewett@mesotheliomaguide.com for a quick reply.
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