Sharp, Ameele Win Defense Verdict in Los Angeles Product Liability Case

Gary D. Sharp and Keith M. Ameele of Foley & Mansfield’s Los Angeles office teamed with Meredith Shaw of the San Francisco office of Quinn Emanuel to represent Colgate-Palmolive Company in a case filed in the Los Angeles Superior Court.

Plaintiff Anna Blount filed her case claiming that she suffers from a terminal illness (peritoneal mesothelioma) and that a product manufactured by Colgate was the cause of her disease.  

The case was tried over a 2 ½ week period in the Chatsworth Division of the Los Angeles Superior Court. During closing arguments, plaintiffs requested $19 million dollars in damages and a finding of punitive damages.

The jury deliberated for less than 3 ½ hours before returning a verdict in favor of Colgate and rejecting all of plaintiffs’ claims. This is the third defense verdict for Colgate in 2016 by Mr. Sharp and the second for Mr. Ameele.