Public Justice Files Lawsuit Against CBS Television for Asbestos-Containing Toy

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In April 2008, Public Justice, a public interest law firm network of 3,000 nationwide lawyers filed lawsuits in both state and federal court against the television network CBS and Planet Toys, Inc., a New York City-based toy distributor.

The lawsuit stems from the 2007 sale and distribution of toy fingerprinting kits licensed by CBS based on the CSI television series and sold by Planet Toys. In fall 2007, it was discovered the kits included a fingerprinting powder containing tremolite, a form of asbestos. The toys were subsequently recalled by the manufacturer.

The lawsuit alleges CBS and Planet Toys were negligent in their quality control measures by offering a product aimed for children that contained asbestos. The class action lawsuit asks the defendants to provide refunds to consumers, pay for asbestos testing of toys that have been opened, and pay for appropriate medical treatment for consumers who were exposed to asbestos.

A second suit was filed in California state court under the state’s Proposition 65, which requires businesses to give clear and reasonable warnings to consumers if a product contains a chemical known to cause cancer or birth defects. The lawsuit was filed on behalf of the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO), who commissioned the study which found the toy contained tremolite asbestos.

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