For purposes of this article, the mesothelioma victim in this case will be referred to as Mr. C.R.
In a recent court decision, a Chicago jury ordered Avon Products to pay $24.4 million to the family of Mr. C.R., a mesothelioma victim. Mr. C.R. is a former janitor who was diagnosed with mesothelioma in 2023. After his diagnosis, C.R. linked his illness to asbestos exposure during the 1980s when he was working at Avon in Morton Grove, Illinois. The lawsuit, which accused the company of negligently exposing C.R. to asbestos-containing talcum powder, was filed by C.R. and his family.
Mr. C.R. and his wife filed the lawsuit against Avon in April 2023, just a few months after receiving his mesothelioma diagnosis. C.R. was diagnosed with malignant pleural mesothelioma. Malignant pleural mesothelioma is a rare and aggressive form of cancer that affects the thin layer surrounding the lungs, known as the pleura. This illness is primarily caused by asbestos exposure. When asbestos is disturbed, it releases tiny fibers into the air. When inhaled or ingested, these fibers can get stuck in the pleura. Over time, they can cause inflammation and scarring. These processes can eventually lead to the development of mesothelioma tumors. Malignant pleural mesothelioma is the most common type, accounting for up to 90% of all mesothelioma diagnoses.
Because of his diminished life expectancy, the couple requested that the trial date be expedited, and the request was granted. In the lawsuit, Mr. C.R. and his wife included claims for personal injury and loss of consortium, alleging that C.R. was exposed to asbestos-contaminated talc both during his time working at Avon and from his use of the company’s products.
The trial was originally set for March 19, 2024. However, delays arose when Avon sought to introduce third-party claims against Mr. C.R.’s other employers. While Avon’s request to add third-party claims was approved, the court severed and stayed the additional claims to allow the original trial to continue. Avon appealed the decision, but the court ruled in favor of the claimants. The jury decided that Avon was liable for Mr. C.R.’s mesothelioma.
After more than one month of listening to evidence and testimony from both sides, a Chicago jury ruled in favor of Mr. C.R. and his family. The jury found that Avon was responsible for Mr. C.R.’s cancer. The jury found that Avon could have prevented C.R. from suffering the asbestos exposure that resulted in his diagnosis but negligently failed to do so. Avon knowingly put Mr. C.R. and other workers at risk of asbestos exposure. The jury ordered Avon to pay the family $24.4 million in damages. This substantial financial award reflects the recognition of the pain and suffering Mr. C.R. and his family endured due to Avon’s negligent actions.
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