Mesothelioma Lawyer Files Talc Lawsuit Against Johnson & Johnson
A man who is 24 years old and has mesothelioma of the pericardium has claimed that Johnson and Johnson's baby powder was responsible for his cancer. The Oakland mesothelioma case is the first trial that has been held since J&J filed for bankruptcy and split off its talc division.
In the early part of the year, huge settlements were reached in talc lawsuits in New Jersey and California. Plaintiffs attributed cancer to asbestos that was found in J&J products Shower to Shower and baby powder.
What is Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is a lethal type of cancer, affects the mesothelium or the lining surrounding organs and cavities in the body. It is most prevalent in the lungs but can be located in the chest and abdomen cavity. Asbestos, the sole known cause of this disease, is asbestos. People who have been exposed to asbestos are at chance of developing it.
The first trial following J&J declared bankruptcy on its talcum powder division opened in Oakland, California this week. Jurors were moved by the story of the plaintiff. In 2022, the plaintiff, who was only 24 years old at the time, old at the time was diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma of the pericardium. The plaintiff attributed his condition to childhood exposure to Johnson & Johnson baby powder. The jury awarded him $26 million.
J&J is accused of obfuscating asbestos risks from consumers for many years. The company has a long tradition of keeping asbestos information from regulators, and even paying for asbestos tests that gave the results they wanted. Some of the company's Talcum powder suppliers have been named in these lawsuits, including Whittaker, Clark & Daniels and Imerys Talc America.
Many women who used talcum powder to maintain feminine hygiene in the genital region or on sanitary napkins or condoms have gotten ovarian cancer, and some have been diagnosed with mesothelioma. The lawsuits assert that J&J was aware for more than forty years that the powder could trigger ovarian cancer and other illnesses, but did not take the time to warn consumers.
Mesothelioma symptoms include abdominal pain, abdominal lumps, abdominal swelling and a persistent cough. Doctors can diagnose the condition by a physical examination and imaging scans. These include CT scans (computer tomography), MRIs, PET or X rays.
When a mesothelioma diagnosis is confirmed, patients may undergo surgery, chemotherapy and/or radiation. The surgeons can remove the affected tissue depending on the location of the tumors. Some patients with mesothelioma have a life expectancy lower than five. However, aggressive treatments such as extracorporeal tissue transplantation and the cytoreduction process using hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy can prolong the life of patients.
What is the cause of Mesothelioma?
Like many cancers, mesothelioma develops by DNA mutations. These mutations cause the cells to multiply rapidly and develop tumors in tissues of the body. Asbestos is the most frequent cause of mesothelioma. Asbestos exposure can be found in a variety of fields which include manufacturing, mining construction, transportation and construction. Asbestos exposure usually occurs between 20 to 40 years prior to the time symptoms begin to manifest. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma compared to women. It is also most often diagnosed among those between the ages 50 and 70. The type of mesothelioma that a person gets is often determined by the part of their body that were exposed to asbestos. The majority of mesothelioma patients are diagnosed with pleural msothelioma, which affects the lung. Other patients are diagnosed with peritoneal msothelioma. This type of mesothelioma affects the abdomen. Certain people are diagnosed with pericardial msothelioma. This is a rare type of disease that affects both the lining (pericardium) as well as the organ itself.
Shortness of breath, fatigue and abdominal pain are all symptoms of mesothelioma. In the later stages of mesothelioma tumors may spread to other parts of the body, which can cause extreme pain and discomfort. Other signs of mesothelioma can include fluid in the lungs, loss of appetite, difficulty eating and swallowing. Mesothelioma can be fatal.
The talcum powder trial in Oakland involved a person who was 24 years old who was diagnosed with pericardial msothelioma following the use of J&J baby powder. His lawyers claimed that J&J knew that talc contained asbestos, but did not inform customers. They also cited a 1998 letter to a J&J executive that revealed the possibility of asbestos in their products.
This is the latest in a series of large verdicts against J&J. In March, J&J's Talcum powder caused ovarian mesothelioma in one woman. Last month, another jury in Missouri awarded $55 million in a similar case. In addition, seven cases were added to the talcum powder MDL over the course of the month, bringing the total number of lawsuits pending to 37,522. Most of these lawsuits were brought by women who have used J&J talcum powder to maintain their feminine hygiene.
How do I know whether I have mesothelioma not?
A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be devastating. Patients should always consult a specialist to get the most accurate diagnosis possible and avoid misdiagnosis which could lead to unnecessary treatment and let cancer expand further.
A physical exam and a blood test is a good start to identify whether mesothelioma has caused symptoms. These tests can be used to determine asbestos fibers in the blood or to look at the way in which the organs of a patient are functioning. The most accurate way to determine if mesothelioma has been detected is through biopsy, which is when doctors remove fluid or tissue from the affected area and examine it under a microscope to search for mesothelioma cancer cells.
The type of mesothelioma a sufferer has also impacts the prognosis of their patient. Pleural mesothelioma, that forms in the thin lining around the lungs, is the frequent form of the disease and makes up the majority of diagnosed cases. Peritoneal cancer, which forms in the lining of the abdomen, is a less common form. In addition, pericardial mesothelioma is a rare type that develops in the lining of the heart. It is only one percent of all cases.
Some of the earliest symptoms include a shortness of breath that becomes worse over time, and then coughing up blood. Asbestos patients may also experience fluid accumulation within the chest cavity. This is known as Pleural effusion. It can be removed by inserting a needle into the affected area of the chest cavity. In more serious cases, doctors can perform a procedure called pleurodesis to close the space to prevent the reaccumulation in the pleura.
A precise mesothelioma diagnosis is the best method to determine the patient's treatment options and the survival rate. Surgery, chemotherapy and radiation are all options. Other options include immunotherapy, a kind of treatment that increases the immune system to fight mesothelioma cancer cells and tumor-targeting fields, which uses a magnetic field to destroy cancerous cells.
A mesothelioma specialist who is specialized can also assist patients in understanding the different mesothelioma cells that determine how aggressive the cancer is and what the prognosis of the patient is. Patients should discuss with their physician their experience with asbestos exposure to determine whether mesothelioma could be possible and what treatment options are available.
How Can I Get Help?
If you used Johnson & Johnson talcum and you developed an ovarian disease or another like mesothelioma after using the talcum powder, you may be eligible for significant compensation. Contact us today to receive a no-cost, no obligation case evaluation. We can help you file mesothelioma lawsuits against J&J and hold them accountable for their actions.
Mesothelioma is an uncommon and fatal illness caused by asbestos exposure, is a rare condition. lawsuits for mesothelioma was once widely used in a variety of industrial and consumer products, including baby powder. The plaintiffs in talcum powder cases claim that inhaling talcum powder caused to their asbestos exposure, which contributed to mesothelioma and various other health issues.
J&J allegedly knew about the risk of asbestos and talcum powder for decades but failed to warn consumers. Plaintiffs have filed mesothelioma lawsuits against the company seeking damages for punitive and compensatory. These lawsuits have been amalgamated into federal and state multidistrict litigations, or MDLs.
In 2018, one of the largest Talc cases resulted in a $4.7 billion verdict in favor of the plaintiff. The news made headlines across the country and set the stage for the rest of the litigation. Last month, a court denied J&J's request to dismiss the lawsuits brought by the state.
J&J however, tried again to halt the litigation. LTL Management, a subsidiary of J&J has filed for bankruptcy after the company established an entity to take over its liabilities. The bankruptcy stayed thousands of talc lawsuits but the 3rd Circuit rejected this strategy.
The lawsuits brought by Mississippi are based on the same allegations that are in the background of the individual lawsuits filed against J&J. They assert that the company was negligent in not warning of the possibility of ovarian cancer due to talcum-powder, and that this was an infraction of the law of the state.
J&J has resubmitted its motion to dismiss the lawsuits to a different bankruptcy court. A hearing is scheduled for June in order to determine whether the lawsuits against J&J will be allowed to proceed. If you or someone around you has been diagnosed with mesothelioma or another condition which could be the result of talcum powder. You should seek legal counsel immediately. Our skilled lawyers can help you receive compensation that you deserve.