Avon Products Hit With $50 Million Cosmetics Talc Verdict

A California jury recently awarded a woman an enormous sum of money for the mesothelioma she suffered allegedly from inhaling Avon cosmetics talc

Sunday, December 18, 2022 - Johnson & Johnson is not the only cosmetics company that is in hot water over selling talcum powder that contains asbestos. Several other companies face lawsuits also from individuals that have developed ovarian cancer or mesothelioma from inhaling talc dust regularly and over time. The latest talcum powder cancer lawsuit to make headlines is the one where a California jury awarded 76-year-old Rita Chapman a total of $50 million for the injuries that allegedly were caused by using Avon products. The 50 million dollars was comprised of $40 million in compensatory damages and $10 million in punitive damages. Punitive damages are generally five to ten-times the amount of compensatory amounts and serve to draw attention to an important health issue and also to punish the company for their bad behavior. One judge called Johnson & Johnson's corporate behavior reprehensible when denying the company's appeal of a multi-billion dollar jury award. Avon, Johnson & Johnson, and other cosmetic companies are accused of ignoring the evidence that talc, a naturally occurring ornate mineral found in the ground was contaminated with asbestos, a nearly identical type of rock mineral. Talc is a naturally occurring mineral that is often used in cosmetics and personal care products for its ability to absorb moisture and reduce friction. It is often used in products such as baby powder, face powder, and body powder to help absorb excess moisture and keep skin feeling soft and smooth, according to Open Ai.com. Avon faces about 150 other talcum powder cancer lawsuits and will have to resolve them in the months and years to come. About 38,000 talcum powder lawsuits are currently on hold awaiting an appeal of the company's Texas Two Step bankruptcy plan that shield the their $400 billion in assets from legal liabilities.

Avon is a multi-level marketing company much like Amway where people are paid to sell cosmetics and other beauty care products to their friends and neighbors door-to-door. Avon salespersons recruit others to sell their products that are aimed at women's beauty and are paid a percentage of sales from everyone their network recruits. According to Spokesman.com, "The $40 million award was intended to cover Chapman's pain and medical costs tied to her battle with mesothelioma, cancer specifically tied to asbestos exposure. Chapman alleged Avon's powders contained asbestos-tainted talc that made her sick. The company -- famous for its door-to-door saleswomen known as "Avon Ladies" -- was acquired by Natura Cosmeticos SA in 2020." Avon products known to be made from talc include Avon True Color Translucent Loose Powder, Avon True Color Flawless Loose Powder, and Avon True Color Ideal Oil-Control Pressed Powder. Consumers may wish to avoid these and other products that contain talc due to scientific studies that indicate a link between talc, asbestos, and cancer. Talc is also believed to be contaminated with asbestos, a known carcinogen.

Information provided by TalcumPowderCancerLawsuit.com, a website devoted to providing news about talcum powder ovarian cancer lawsuits, as well as medical research and findings.