Executives Testify Clubman Never Tested For Talc Asbestos

Also, a plaintiff expert witness claims to have found asbestos in Clubman talcum powder

Monday, March 23, 2020 - The second multi-plaintiff trial is underway where plaintiffs claim that asbestos-contaminated talc inhaled regularly over their entire adult lifetime caused mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer of the lining of the lungs and disease linked to asbestos, a known and deadly carcinogen. American International Industries (AII), the parent company of Clubman, and many other popular cosmetics brands is being sued by Dwayne Johnson of Florida and Margaret Lashley of North Carolina. The lawsuit claims that talc found in the iconic barbershop brand Clubman Talcum Powder was contaminated with asbestos that led to the plaintiffs developing mesothelioma. Before the case in progress, the first multi-plaintiff trial represented four people with mesothelioma claiming that their lifelong exposure to Johnson's Baby Powder talc contaminated with asbestos, caused their mesothelioma. On February 6, 2020, a New Jersey jury awarded the four plaintiffs $750 million in punitive damages an amount the judge then reduced to $186.5 million. The jury was impaneled after the first jury found in favor of the plaintiffs and was seated to assess a dollar amount of punitive damages the plaintiffs were entitled to. The massive dollar jury award seemed to send a signal to the entire cosmetics industry that they have not taken the asbestos talc matter serious enough after the jury heard direct testimony from the CEO of Johnson & Johnson appearing under subpoena, who told them he did not have the time nor the inclination to read talc asbestos contamination memos sent to him. The two plaintiffs in the current trial are suing Clubman Inc., and their parent company American International Industries (AII), for "failing to warn consumers about the alleged dangers of talc products despite knowing the potential presence of asbestos posed a serious health risk," according to Courtroom View News (CVN). Both plaintiffs in the current trial claim that they were exposed to asbestos regularly over 40 years, one in her occupation as a hairdresser, and the other by regularly visiting his local barbershop. Talcum powder cancer lawyers have vast experience with medical litigations against big pharmaceutical companies and offer a free consultation with no obligation to file a claim.

Interesting to note is that an upper-level executive of Clubman testified that his company never actually tested their talc supply for asbestos. Covering the trial, Law 360.com wrote: " A top executive for the company that sold Clubman talcum powder admitted during questioning in a New Jersey jury trial Thursday that the company had never conducted its own testing of the talc until after it had been sued by people alleging asbestos in the product gave them mesothelioma cancer." Also of note is that Clubman brands voluntarily switched their flagship barbershop powder from talc to cornstarch in 2017 corresponding to the start of talc asbestos cancer lawsuits against industry leader Johnson & Johnson. Plaintiffs also brought forward testimony from an expert witness that has claimed to have found asbestos in bottles of Clubman Talcum Powder that were tested. "a microscopy expert took the stand to testify that the mines in Italy and Montana from which Clubman talcum powder is sourced contain asbestos fibers. Steven Compton, an electron microscopy expert, testified that eight out of the ten samples of talc from the Italian mines contained asbestos as did 6 out of the 53 samples from the Montana mine. All four samples were taken from one of the plaintiffs' bottles of Clubman talc and brush also contained asbestos," according to For Law Firms Only.com.