Jurisdiction: California

Plaintiff Stephen Anderson filed a talc-related asbestos suit in the Los Angeles County Superior Court, claiming he contracted mesothelioma.

Anderson allegedly experienced exposure from, among other potential sources, asbestos in the talc that was used on him as a child and that he personally used between 1984 and 2007.

Defendant was served in November 2024 and answered the complaint in February 2025. Defendant’s counsel was relieved of its duties in October 2025, leaving the company without representation in the case. Later that month, the court struck the answer and found defendant in default.

Anderson filed a statement of damages against defendant’s agent, and the following month the court directed Anderson to file a default judgment prove-up against defendant.

In a Dec. 12, 2025 brief in support, Anderson asked for $60 million in noneconomic damages and $4,630,165 in economic damages. After a hearing, Judge Bruce G. Iwasaki awarded Anderson $4,630,165 in economic damages and $20 million in noneconomic damages.

Read the full decision here.