Chicago, Illinois — A Chicago-area family has been granted a $24.4 million verdict after a jury found Avon Products Inc. liable in connection with a mesothelioma diagnosis. The jury concluded that Avon’s talc-containing products, allegedly tainted with asbestos, led to Cipriano Ramirez’s illness.
Ramirez, who previously worked as a janitor at an Avon manufacturing site in Morton Grove during the 1980s, was diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma, a cancer linked to asbestos exposure, in early 2023. His attorney, Jennifer Alesio, expressed pride in the jury’s diligent pursuit of justice, denouncing Avon’s defense tactics and underscoring the irreversible impact on Ramirez’s health.
Legal representatives highlighted the personal toll on Ramirez, emphasizing that his years of service to his family have culminated in a battle against a preventable disease rather than enjoying retirement. According to attorney James Kramer, this verdict represents less about monetary compensation and more about accountability.
Avon, a company long recognized for its range of cosmetic products, has faced multiple lawsuits alleging asbestos contamination in their talc products. In 2022, the cosmetics giant was ordered to pay $52.1 million to an Arizona woman, Rita-Ann Chapman, who claimed that lifelong use of Avon’s talc products contributed to her mesothelioma diagnosis.
Further compounding the controversy, internal documents brought forward during litigation suggest Avon had previous knowledge about possible asbestos contamination in their talc supplies but failed to inform the public or halt talc usage in products. In 2020, amidst ongoing legal challenges and growing safety concerns, Avon announced a cessation in the use of talc in its products.
In addition to Avon, the 2022 case also implicated Hyster Company, where Chapman’s husband was employed. Allegedly, he unintentionally brought home asbestos fibers on his work clothing, which contributed to secondary exposure for Chapman.
The legal pressure on Avon is mounting, with nearly 200 asbestos-related cases filed against the company in 2021 alone, reflecting a broader accountability crisis in industries using talc. These lawsuits draw attention to the need for stringent regulations and transparency in product manufacturing to safeguard public health.
Legal and health experts argue that these cases serve as poignant reminders of the often overlooked occupational and secondary exposure risks associated with asbestos, urging industries to adopt more rigorous safety standards to prevent such health hazards.
This case, alongside others, paints a stark picture of corporate responsibility and the ongoing plight of individuals and families grappling with asbestos-related diseases.
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