Jury Assesses $12.75 Million in Talc-Related Mesothelioma Wrongful Death Case

A Los Angeles County jury has delivered a significant $12.75 million verdict to the family of a local physician who died from mesothelioma after decades of using talc-based cosmetic products contaminated with asbestos. The decision highlights continuing concerns regarding asbestos in consumer talc products—an issue documented for nearly a century.

A Long-Known Risk Hidden from Consumers

On March 4, 2026, jurors found that Port Jervis Laboratories, Inc. (formerly operating as Kolmar Laboratories) failed to warn users about the asbestos hazards present in cosmetic talc. Evidence presented at trial showed that the company had been aware of contamination risks for decades yet continued manufacturing talc-based products marketed under the “Jafra” brand without disclosing the danger.

Historical records and internal documents demonstrated that worries about asbestos in talc stretch back to at least the 1930s. Despite this, the company and its subsidiaries allegedly withheld critical safety information from those who relied on their products every day.

A Physician’s Tragic Story

The case centered on Dr. Rosalinda Flores Soto, a Los Angeles physician who regularly used Jafra-brand cosmetic powders between 1980 and 1996. She was diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma in December 2017 and tragically passed away in April 2021.

Her family brought the lawsuit on her behalf, arguing that she never had the chance to know the risks she faced. The jury agreed—finding that the company’s failure to warn directly contributed to her preventable exposure.

Mesothelioma: A Preventable Cancer

Mesothelioma is a rare and aggressive cancer caused by exposure to asbestos. While historically associated with industrial settings, growing evidence shows that consumers can face the same deadly danger when common products—such as cosmetic powders—contain contaminated talc.

This verdict serves as another reminder that asbestos exposure does not only occur in shipyards, construction sites, or factories. Everyday use of certain talc-based products has left countless unsuspecting individuals at risk.

Case Information

Case: Abel Eduardo Vasquez Hernandez, individually and as successor-in-interest to Rosalinda Flores Soto, deceased, et al. v. Jafra Cosmetics International et al.

Court: Superior Court of California, Los Angeles County

Diagnosed With Mesothelioma After Using Talc Products?

If you or someone you love developed mesothelioma after using talc-based cosmetic powders, you may have legal options. Companies that knew—or should have known—about asbestos contamination must be held accountable when families suffer preventable harm.

For over 40 years, Brayton Purcell LLP has represented asbestos exposure victims and their families nationwide, using extensive product, exposure, and litigation resources to pursue justice in complex mesothelioma cases.

Call Brayton Purcell LLP today at (800) 361-2417 or contact us online for a free consultation.