Judge Awards $24.6 Million After Gold Bond Talc Company Fails to Defend Mesothelioma Lawsuit

A Los Angeles County Superior Court judge awarded $24.6 million to Stephen Anderson, a man with mesothelioma who alleged that decades of exposure to asbestos-contaminated Gold Bond talc powder caused his cancer. Judge Bruce G. Iwasaki entered the default judgment in February 2026 after the defendant, Martin Himmel Inc., abandoned its defense.

Martin Himmel Inc. owned the Gold Bond brand from 1990 to 1996. The company was served with the lawsuit in November 2024 and initially responded by filing an answer in February 2025. But the company’s legal counsel withdrew in October 2025, and Martin Himmel failed to retain new representation or participate further in the case.

How the Default Happened

A default judgment occurs when a defendant fails to respond to or participate in a lawsuit. In this case, Martin Himmel Inc. did initially engage. The company filed an answer to the complaint, which means it acknowledged the lawsuit and contested the claims.

The turning point came when the company’s attorneys withdrew in October 2025. After counsel was relieved, the court struck Martin Himmel’s answer following a hearing. With no defense on record and no attorney of record, the court entered a default.

Anderson’s legal team then submitted a brief in December 2025 requesting $60 million in non-economic damages and $4.63 million in economic damages. Judge Iwasaki awarded $20 million in non-economic damages (covering pain and suffering) and the full $4.63 million in economic damages (covering medical costs and lost income), for a total of $24.6 million.

The Plaintiff’s Exposure History

Anderson alleged that he was exposed to asbestos-contaminated Gold Bond talc powder both as a child (when the product was applied to him) and through personal use from 1984 to 2007. The case was part of a multi-defendant lawsuit, with Martin Himmel Inc. being one of the companies named.

Gold Bond is a well-known consumer brand that has included talcum powder among its products. Martin Himmel Inc. owned the brand during the 1990s before selling it to Chattem Inc. for $40 million in 1996. Chattem was later acquired by Sanofi.

Asbestos contamination in talc products has been a subject of litigation for years. Talc and asbestos are minerals that can occur in geological proximity, and talc mined from contaminated deposits may contain asbestos fibers if not rigorously tested and purified.

Context: Rising Talc Verdicts

The $24.6 million award exceeds the 2024 average asbestos verdict of $21.4 million, which itself was up from $20.7 million in 2023.

Recent talc-related mesothelioma verdicts include:

• $1.56 billion against Johnson and Johnson in Baltimore (December 2025)
• $966 million against Johnson and Johnson in California (October 2025)
• $51 million against Avon, affirmed on appeal (March 2026)
• $20 million against Johnson and Johnson in Florida (October 2025)

The trend reflects growing judicial and jury willingness to hold talc manufacturers accountable for asbestos contamination in consumer products. Many talc brands reformulated or discontinued talc-based products in recent years, though legacy exposure claims continue to generate litigation.

What a Default Judgment Means

Default judgments are unusual in asbestos litigation, where defendants typically mount aggressive defenses. A company losing its counsel and failing to retain new attorneys suggests financial or operational difficulties that prevented continued participation.

For people with mesothelioma pursuing legal claims, the case illustrates that not all defendants have the resources or willingness to fight through trial. Some companies that manufactured, distributed, or sold asbestos-containing products no longer operate or have limited ability to defend claims.

The judgment is enforceable against Martin Himmel Inc.’s assets, though collecting on a judgment from a company that has effectively stopped participating in litigation can present practical challenges.