$51M Avon Talc Verdict Upheld in Mesothelioma Case

A California appeals court has upheld a $51 million verdict against Avon Products Inc. in one of the largest talc-mesothelioma rulings to survive appellate review. The decision affirms that asbestos-contaminated cosmetic powders caused the death of Rita-Ann Chapman, who used Avon products from childhood.

The February 11, 2026 ruling by the California Second District Court of Appeals, Division Eight, rejected all of Avon’s challenges to the original 2022 jury verdict, including its attacks on expert testimony about asbestos detection in talc.

What the Jury Found

In 2022, a California jury determined that Avon’s talc-based face and body powders contained asbestos and that the company was liable on three separate grounds: manufacturing defect, failure to warn, and fraud.

The jury awarded:

• $32.8 million in compensatory damages to Rita-Ann Chapman
• $8 million in compensatory damages to her husband, Gary Chapman
• $11.3 million in punitive damages, with Avon responsible for $10.3 million

Chapman had used Avon face and body powders from the age of eight. She was diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma and died in 2025.

Why the Appeals Court Rejected Avon’s Challenges

Avon’s appeal centered on the scientific testimony presented at trial. The company challenged the reliability of expert witnesses, including Dr. William Longo, who identified asbestos in Avon talc products, and Dr. Steven Haber, who testified about the link between exposure and disease.

The appeals court found that both experts used accepted scientific methods and that their testimony was properly admitted. The panel concluded that the jury had sufficient evidence to reach its verdict.

Trial evidence showed that Avon was aware of asbestos contamination in its talc supply as early as the 1970s. Internal documents and industry testing revealed the risk, but the company continued selling its powders without warning consumers.

What This Means for Talc Litigation

The appellate affirmation strengthens the legal foundation for similar cases against cosmetic companies. Avon faced approximately 130 talc-related lawsuits by 2020 and filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in 2024 to address mounting liabilities.

This ruling joins a growing pattern of accountability:

• $24.4 million: Avon talc verdict in a 2024 occupational exposure case
• $1.5 billion: J&J talc-mesothelioma verdict in Maryland (December 2025)
• $966 million: J&J verdict in the Mae Moore California case

Talc litigation remains one of the most active areas of asbestos-related law, with multidistrict proceedings ongoing against several cosmetic manufacturers.

What Happens Next

Avon may seek review by the California Supreme Court, but the full affirmation of the jury verdict and expert testimony makes reversal unlikely.

For families affected by talc exposure, this ruling sends a clear message: courts are willing to hold manufacturers accountable even decades after the exposure occurred. The Chapman case reinforces that cosmetic talc, not just industrial products, can contain enough asbestos to cause fatal disease.

People with a history of regular talc product use who develop chest pain, shortness of breath, or unexplained abdominal symptoms should discuss screening with their physician. Mesothelioma can develop 20 to 50 years after exposure.