Mesothelioma Lawyer Files Talc Lawsuit Against Johnson & Johnson
A man who is 24 years old and has pericardial mesotheliom claims that Johnson & Johnson baby powder is the cause of his cancer. The Oakland mesothelioma trial is one of the first to proceed since J&J spun off its talc business and filed for bankruptcy.
Earlier this year, jury awards in New Jersey and California led to large settlements in talc-related lawsuits. Plaintiffs attributed cancer to asbestos found in J&J products Shower to Shower and baby powder.
What is Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma can be a deadly form of cancer that affects the mesothelium, the lining around organs and body cavities. It is most often found in the lungs but it can also be found in the abdomen, the heart, chest cavity and testicles. Asbestos is the most well-known mesothelioma-related cause, and people who have been exposed to asbestos are at a higher chance of developing the disease.
The first trial since J&J declared its Talcum Powder division bankrupt began this week, and jurors in Oakland, California were emotional when they heard the story of the plaintiff. In 2022, the plaintiff, who was only 24 years old at the time was diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma of pericardium. He blamed the reason for his illness to his childhood use Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder. The jury awarded him $26 million.
J&J has been accused of hiding asbestos-related risks from consumers for a long time. The company has a long history of concealing asbestos-related information from regulators, and even paying for asbestos tests that did not yield the results they wanted. The lawsuits have identified a number of the company's talcum-powder suppliers which include Whittaker Clark & Daniels, Imerys Talc America, and others.
Many women who used talcum powder for feminine hygiene in the genital areas or on sanitary napkins, or condoms have been diagnosed with cancer of the ovary, and a few have been diagnosed with mesothelioma. The lawsuits assert that J&J knew for more than 40 years that the powder caused ovarian cancer and mesothelioma, however, they failed to warn consumers of the risk.
Mesothelioma symptoms may include breathing problems, chronic coughing abdominal pain, fatigue, and lumps or masses on the abdomen or chest. Doctors can diagnose mesothelioma through an examination and imaging scans. These may include CT (computer tomography) scans, MRIs and PET or X-rays.
After a mesothelioma is diagnosed patients may undergo surgery, chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy. Depending on the location of their tumors surgeons may be able remove the affected tissue. Patients with mesothelioma may have a life expectancy less than five. However aggressive treatments like extracorporeal tissue transplantation and the cytoreduction process using hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy can prolong survival.
What is the cause of Mesothelioma?
Like many cancers, mesothelioma is caused by DNA mutations. These mutations can cause uncontrolled growth of cells, which causes tumors to form in tissues. Asbestos is the leading mesothelioma-related cause. Asbestos exposure is common in many different industries including manufacturing, mining, and transportation. Asbestos can be exposed for 20 to 40 years prior to the onset of symptoms becoming apparent. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than women. It is also diagnosed most often in those between the ages of 50 and 70. The type of mesothelioma a person is usually determined by the part of their body that were exposed to asbestos. The majority of people diagnosed with mesothelioma are diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma, which affects the lungs. Other patients are diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma. which is a mesothelioma type that affects the abdomen. Certain people are diagnosed with pericardial mesothelioma. This is an extremely rare type of cancer that affects both the inner lining (pericardium) and the organ itself.
Mesothelioma symptoms include fatigue, shortness of breath, abdominal pain and weight loss. In the later stages of mesothelioma the tumors may grow to other areas that cause severe discomfort and pain. Other typical symptoms of mesothelioma include swelling of the lungs (pleural effusion) and a loss of appetite, difficulties swallowing, and a blockage of the small intestine called a bowel obstruction. Mesothelioma can be fatal.
The trial involving talcum powder in Oakland involved a man aged 24 who was diagnosed with pericardial cancer due to the use of J&J baby powder. His lawyers argued that the company knew talc could contain asbestos, but did not warn consumers about it. They also cited a 1998 letter to an J&J executive revealing the possibility of asbestos being present in their products.
This is only the latest in a series of large verdicts against J&J. In March, J&J's Talcum Powder caused ovarian mesothelioma in one woman. In March, a jury in Missouri awarded $55 Million in a similar case. In addition, seven new cases were added to the talcum powder MDL in the last month and brought the number of lawsuits pending to 37,522. The majority of these lawsuits are filed by women who have used J&J talcum powder to maintain their feminine hygiene.
How can I tell whether I have mesothelioma not?
A diagnosis of mesothelioma may be devastating. Patients should always consult an expert for the most accurate information possible and avoid misdiagnosis which could lead to unneeded treatment and let cancer expand further.
A physical examination and a blood test could be a good start to identify whether mesothelioma is causing symptoms. These tests can be used to check for asbestos fibers in blood or the health of the patient's internal organs. The most precise method to diagnose mesothelioma is the procedure of a biopsy. Doctors extract tissues or fluids from the affected area, and then look at them under a microscope for mesothelioma cancerous cells.
The type of mesothelioma sufferers have can influence the prognosis of a patient. Pleural mesothelioma that develops in the thin lining of the lung, is the most common form of the disease and makes up the majority of diagnosed cases. Peritoneal mesothelioma, which is a cancer that is found in the lining of the abdomen, is less common. The pericardial msothelioma, in turn, is a rare kind that occurs in the lining the heart. It only accounts for 1% of all cases.
Some of the first symptoms include a shortness of breath that gets worse over time and a coughing up of blood. Asbestos patients might also experience fluid buildup in the chest cavity, a condition known as pleural effusion. lawsuit for mesothelioma can be removed from the chest cavity by inserting an needle into the affected area. In more serious cases, doctors can perform a procedure called pleurodesis to close the space to prevent reaccumulation of fluid in the pleura.
A precise diagnosis of mesothelioma is crucial in determining the patient's survival rate as well as treatment options. There are many treatments available that include surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. Other options include immunotherapy. It is a type of treatment that boosts the immune system to fight mesothelioma cells and tumor-targeting fields, which employ a magnetic field to kill cancerous cells.
A mesothelioma specialist who is specialized can help patients understand the various mesothelioma types which determine how invasive the cancer is and what the prognosis for the patient is. Patients should discuss their history of asbestos exposure with their doctor to determine if they're mesothelioma-related and learn about the various types of treatment are available to them.
How Can I get help?
If you've used Johnson & Johnson talcum powder and have been diagnosed with ovarian cancer or another disease such as mesothelioma or other cancers, you could be eligible for significant compensation. Contact us now for a no-cost, non- obligation case assessment. We can assist you with filing a mesothelioma lawsuit against J&J and hold J&J accountable for their negligence.
Mesothelioma is an uncommon and fatal illness caused by asbestos exposure, is a rare disease. Asbestos was used in many industrial and consumer products like baby powder. In talcum-powder lawsuits, plaintiffs claim that exposure to asbestos through inhalation of the powder caused them to develop mesothelioma and other health issues.
J&J allegedly knew about the risk of talcum powder and asbestos for decades, but did not warn consumers. Plaintiffs have filed mesothelioma lawsuits against the firm seeking damages for punitive and compensatory. These claims have been consolidated in federal and state multidistrict litigations, or MDLs.
In 2018 one of the biggest talc cases resulted in an $4.7 billion verdict in the favor of the plaintiff. It was a national news story that set the tone for the rest. Last month, a court denied J&J's request to dismiss the lawsuits filed by the state.
J&J however, attempted to stop the litigation. The company created an additional subsidiary entity to assume its talc liabilities and LTL Management filed for bankruptcy. The bankruptcy ended the filing of thousands of talc lawsuits, however, the 3rd Circuit rejected that strategy.
The lawsuits filed by Mississippi are based upon the same allegations as those of the individual lawsuits filed against J&J. They claim that the company acted negligently in not warning of the possibility of ovarian carcinoma from talcum-powder and that this constituted a violation of state law.
J&J has submitted its motion to dismiss the lawsuits to an alternative bankruptcy court. A hearing is scheduled for June to determine whether the lawsuits against J&J can proceed. If you or someone around you has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, or any other condition that could have been caused talcum powder. You should seek legal counsel immediately. Our skilled lawyers can help you receive the compensation you deserve.