Estate Failed to Show Artist Used Asbestos-Containing Clay

The estate of an artist who died from mesothelioma failed to show that he worked with clay containing asbestos, the Western District of Wisconsin ruled June 23 (Miller v. American Art Clay Co., 2014 BL 173747, W.D. Wis., 12-CV-516).

The U.S. District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin dismissed claims against clay maker American Art Clay Co. (AMACO) and talc producer R.T. Vanderbilt Co.

The plaintiffs alleged that some of AMACO’s clay contained Vanderbilt’s talc, and that the talc contained asbestos.

The testimony of Don Peter Miller’s daughter and widow was sufficient to show that Miller ...