For purposes of this article, the mesothelioma victim in this case will be referred to as V.C.
In a recent court ruling, a Louisiana judge ordered a new trial in a mesothelioma lawsuit against Colgate-Palmolive. This decision came after the witness unexpectedly introduced what the judge termed an entirely improper, unsolicited, new opinion that had not been presented during the trial, influencing the jury’s verdict in favor of the defendant. The attorneys for the victim’s family also argued that the expert witness had sabotaged the case, requesting the company to cover at least $150,000 in costs for the abandoned trial.
The case revolved around V.C., who developed mesothelioma after using Colgate-Palmolive’s Cashmere Bouquet talcum product. Her family sued the company, alleging that the product contained asbestos, which led to her illness. Similar lawsuits have been filed against consumer product manufacturers for failing to warn the public about asbestos contamination in talc-based products. While many of these cases have resulted in significant compensation for victims, in this case, Colgate-Palmolive defended itself by calling Dr. Richard Attanoos, a pathologist from Wales, as an expert witness.
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