A California Superior Court judge has ordered former Gold Bond powder owner Martin Himmel, Inc. to pay a $24.6 million default judgment to a mesothelioma victim who blames the company’s talc product for his illness. The judgment came after the company failed to defend itself against the claim.
Mesothelioma Victim’s Talc Exposure Began in Childhood
Stephen Anderson’s mesothelioma lawsuit claimed that he contracted the fatal asbestos-related cancer from exposure to talc. Beginning in his childhood and continuing between1984 and 2007, Mr. Anderson used Gold Bond powder daily to prevent sweating while competing in football and powerlifting.
The mesothelioma lawsuit named numerous defendants, including Martin Himmel, which purchased the Gold Bond line in 1990 and sold the brand in 1996 to Chattem Inc. for $40 million. Martin Himmel was served in November 2024 and answered the mesothelioma complaint in February 2025, but its counsel was relieved of duties in October 2025, leaving the company without legal representation.
Company’s Failure to Defend Itself Leads to Mesothelioma Default Judgment
After Martin Himmel lost legal representation in the mesothelioma case, the court struck the company’s February answer and then found it in default in October 2025. Mr. Anderson filed a statement of damages against Martin Himmel’s agent, and the court directed him to file a default judgment brief against the company, citing his damages. In response, in December 2025, the victim asked for $60 million in non-economic damages and $4,630,165 in economic damages.
After a hearing in February 2026, Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Bruce G. Iwasaki awarded Mr. Anderson the $4,630,165 in economic damages that he had requested, and an additional $20 million in non-economic damages. The $24.6 million default judgment is far more than what is typically awarded in asbestos cases by juries. Tracking 25 asbestos cases in 2024, it was found that plaintiffs were awarded an average of $21,370,446—up slightly from $20.7 million in 2023 and well above the $12,686,171 average in 2022.
Mesothelioma Default Reflects Corporate Abandonment of Legal Defense
The company’s failure to present a legal representative in the mesothelioma case is increasingly common. Rather than fight the claims in court and allow juries to decide, companies are simply allowing courts to decide on an appropriate verdict.
If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease, the Patient Advocates at Mesothelioma.net are here to help. Contact us today at 1-800-692-8608 to learn more.
