Former talc miner Cyprus Mines Corp may depose two candidates proposed by insurers to represent the interests of people who may bring future talc-related claims in the company’s bankruptcy, a judge overseeing the case ruled yesterday, Reuters reported. During a virtual status conference, U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Laurie Selber Silverstein in Wilmington, Del., signed off on the request by Cyprus, which is being represented by Reed Smith, to conduct brief depositions of the two insurer-backed candidates for the role of future claims representative (FCR) in its chapter 11 case. Her ruling comes a few weeks ahead of a June 2 hearing in which she'll be asked to choose between three people for the role. Cyprus filed for bankruptcy in February as part of a settlement with another bankrupt talc company, Imerys Talc America Inc., that had acquired some of its talc-related assets in 1992. Cyprus is one of the companies that has been sued in recent years by plaintiffs alleging a link between exposure to talc products and certain types of cancer and asbestos-related diseases. While the company already faces hundreds of lawsuits making talc-related personal injury claims, it is seeking the appointment of an FCR to represent those who may have claims but may not be aware of them right now. FCRs are a regular presence in mass tort-related bankruptcies.
