Jury to Hear Case Linking Vanderbilt Minerals’ Talc Mine to Mesothelioma

For purposes of this article, the deceased mesothelioma victim in this case will be referred to as A.B., and her sister will be referred to as L.W.

In a recent case, a New York court allowed jury selection to move forward in a case linking Vanderbilt Minerals’ talc mining operations to a mesothelioma diagnosis. The case involves A.B., a woman who died of mesothelioma over two years ago. Her sister, L.W., filed the lawsuit on her behalf. The court’s decision to allow the jury selection process to begin means that the case will proceed to a full trial instead of being dismissed at an early stage.

Court documents revealed that A.B. suffered prolonged environmental asbestos exposure. The deceased lived near RTV’s mines in the Gouverneur District in northern New York all her life. Though the company petitioned the court to have the case against it dismissed, the court rejected the request after finding that the plaintiffs had submitted sufficient evidence that RTV talc was asbestos-contaminated, that significant quantities of different types of dangerous asbestos fibers were regularly released into the air during operations and transported into neighboring areas, and that A.B. had been disabled for most of her life, always staying in her home area.

In response to the defendant’s attempts to have the case dismissed, A.B.’s family presented reports measuring dust and particles in the area. They also presented medical evidence confirming the presence of talc and asbestos fibers in A.B.’s lung tissue. Additionally, other data presented showed that both company employees and residents within the region experienced significantly high mesothelioma rates, which can be directly attributed to the asbestos in the talc mines.

According to one expert, A.B.’s estimated asbestos exposure was more than 50 times higher than the threshold level of lifetime asbestos exposure required to cause pleural mesothelioma. While Vanderbilt Minerals has maintained that its talc never contained asbestos and its employees were never at risk of fatal asbestos-related illnesses, the plaintiffs’ attorney countered this defense by noting that New York courts had consistently rejected similar claims since the 1980s.

Talc and Asbestos Exposure

The above case is just one of the many cases involving asbestos-contaminated talc across the nation. Talc is a mineral commonly used in cosmetics, personal care products, and industrial applications. This mineral can contain asbestos if it is mined near asbestos deposits. When inhaled or ingested, asbestos fibers can get stuck in the body, leading to serious health conditions, such as mesothelioma, asbestosis, and lung cancer.

Environmental exposure, which occurs when a person comes into contact with asbestos in their surroundings, rather than through their job or direct use of a product, can be particularly dangerous for those residing near talc mining and milling operations. During these operations, asbestos fibers can be released into the air and may end up settling in surrounding areas, posing a significant risk to residents. Over time, repeated exposure can increase the risk of developing fatal asbestos-related diseases.

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If you or a loved one were diagnosed with mesothelioma, contact our office to speak to one of our experienced nationwide mesothelioma attorneys about your situation. Our office can help investigate your case and determine if compensation can be sought from negligent parties to help you and your family live a more comfortable life.