Mesothelioma Lawyer Files Talc Lawsuit Against Johnson & Johnson
A 24-year-old man with pericardial mesothelioma has alleged Johnson & Johnson's baby powder caused his cancer. The Oakland mesothelioma trial is the first trial that has been held since J&J filed for bankruptcy and split off its talc division.
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 common in the lungs but can also be found in the abdomen and chest cavity. Asbestos, which is the only known cause of this disease, is asbestos. People who have been exposed to asbestos are at chance of developing it.
The first trial after J&J declared bankruptcy over its talcum powder division began in Oakland, California this week. Jurors were inspired by the story of the plaintiff. The plaintiff, who is only 24 years old, was diagnosed with malignant pericardial cancer in 2022. The plaintiff attributed his condition to the use of Johnson & Johnson baby powder. The jury awarded him $26 million.
J&J is accused of hiding asbestos risks from consumers for several decades. The company has a long track record of keeping asbestos information from regulators, and paying for asbestos tests that did not yield the results they desired. Several of the company's talcum powder suppliers have been named in these lawsuits and include Whittaker, Clark & Daniels and Imerys Talc America.
Some women who used talcum for feminine hygiene on pads or condoms as well as in the genital area have been diagnosed with mesothelioma and ovarian cancer. The lawsuits allege that J&J knew for more than 40 years that the powder led to mesothelioma and ovarian cancer, but failed to warn customers of this risk.
Mesothelioma symptoms can include breathing problems, chronic coughing and abdominal pain, fatigue and lumps or masses on the chest or abdomen. Doctors can diagnose mesothelioma by a physical exam and imaging scans. These include CT scans (computer tomography), MRIs, PET or X rays.
If mesothelioma has been diagnosed patients can undergo chemotherapy, surgery, and/or radiotherapy. Depending on the site of their tumors, surgeons might be able to remove the affected tissue. Some patients with mesothelioma have a life expectancy less than five. However aggressive treatments like extracorporeal tissue transplantation and the cytoreduction process using hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy can prolong the duration of survival.
What causes Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that is caused by DNA mutations within a cell. These mutations can cause uncontrolled cell growth that causes tumors to form in tissues. Asbestos is the most frequent mesothelioma cause. Asbestos exposure can occur in a variety of industries such as manufacturing, mining, and transportation. Asbestos can be exposed for between 20 and 40 years prior to the onset of symptoms appearing. Mesothelioma is more prevalent in men than women, and it is usually diagnosed in those in their 50s to 70s. The kind of mesothelioma involving asbestos that someone develops is often determined by the location they were exposed. The majority of patients diagnosed with pleural msothelioma, which affects the lung. Other patients are diagnosed with peritoneal melanoma, one type of mesothelioma which affects the abdomen. In addition, some individuals are diagnosed with pericardial melanoma, an extremely rare type of the disease that affects the heart's lining (pericardium) and the organ itself.
A lack of breath as well as abdominal pain and fatigue are all symptoms of mesothelioma. In the last stages of mesothelioma, the tumors can spread to other parts which can cause extreme discomfort and pain. Other common symptoms of mesothelioma include fluid on the lung (pleural effusion) and a loss of appetite, difficulties swallowing and a blockage in the small intestine called a obstruction in the bowel. Mesothelioma can be fatal.
The talcum powder trial in Oakland involved a man aged 24 who was diagnosed with pericardial mesothelioma due to the use of J&J baby powder. His lawyers argued that J&J knew that talc was contaminated with asbestos, but did not inform customers. They also cited an 1998 letter to a J&J executive that revealed the possibility of asbestos being in their products.
This is the latest in a series of large verdicts against J&J. In March, a jury handed down $18.8 million to a woman who contracted mesothelioma ovarian from J&J's talcum powder. Then, last month the jury in Missouri awarded $55 million in another case that involved the same issue. asbestos cancer lawsuit mesothelioma settlement have been added to the MDL talcum-powder in the last month, bringing it to 37,522 the total number of lawsuits pending. The majority of these lawsuits are brought by women who have used J&J talcum powder to maintain feminine hygiene.
How Can I Tell If I Have Mesothelioma?
A diagnosis of mesothelioma may be devastating. Patients should always consult a specialist to get the most accurate information possible and avoid misdiagnosis that could result in unneeded treatment and let cancer grow.
A physical examination and blood test could be an excellent way to determine whether mesothelioma may be causing symptoms. These tests can be used to look for asbestos fibers in blood or the health of a patient's internal organs. The most reliable method to diagnose mesothelioma is by a biopsy, where doctors remove fluid or tissue from the affected area, and then examine it under a microscope in order to look for mesothelioma cells.
The type of mesothelioma that a person is suffering from also affects the prognosis of their patient. Pleural mesothelioma is by far the most prevalent type of disease and is responsible for the majority of cases that are diagnosed. Peritoneal cancer, which forms in the lining surrounding the abdomen, is a less common type. The pericardial msothelioma, in turn, is a rare form of cancer that develops in the lining of the heart. It is only 1% of all cases.
Shortness of breath, which gets worse with time, and bloody coughing are among the first symptoms. Asbestos patients may also experience fluid accumulation in the chest cavity. This is known as Pleural effusion. The fluid can be drained from the chest cavity by inserting a needle into the affected region. In more serious cases, doctors may opt to perform pleurodesis, which is a procedure that seals the cavity to prevent the fluid from accumulating in the pleura.
A reliable diagnosis of mesothelioma is crucial to determine the rate of survival for a patient and treatment options. There are many options for treatment which include chemotherapy, surgery and radiation. Other options include immunotherapy which boosts the immune systems to fight mesothelioma and tumor treating fields that use a magnetic field in order to kill cancerous cells.
A mesothelioma specialist who is specialized can also help patients understand the different mesothelioma cell types that determine how aggressive the cancer is and what the prognosis of the patient is. Patients should discuss their history of asbestos exposure with their doctor to determine if they're mesothelioma candidates and find out what types of treatment options are available to them.
How Can I get help?
If you used Johnson & Johnson talcum and developed ovarian or other illnesses such as mesothelioma following the use of the powder, you could be eligible for a significant amount of compensation. Contact us now for a free, no obligation case assessment. We can help you bring mesothelioma suits against J&J to ensure that they are held accountable for their negligence.
Mesothelioma is a rare, but fatal disease that is caused by asbestos exposure. Asbestos was once used extensively in a range of industrial and consumer products including baby powder. Plaintiffs in talcum powder cases claim that inhaling talcum powder caused to asbestos exposure and subsequently mesothelioma and various other health issues.
J&J failed to warn the public about the dangers of talcum and asbestos, despite knowing them for many years. Plaintiffs have filed lawsuits seeking punitive damages as well as compensatory damages against the company. These lawsuits have been combined 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. It was a national news story that set the tone for the rest. Last month, a judge rejected a request by J&J to dismiss the lawsuits filed by the state of Mississippi.
However, in an effort to derail the lawsuit, J&J tried again. LTL Management, a subsidiary of J&J, filed for bankruptcy after the company incorporated an entity that would take on its obligations. The bankruptcy was able to halt thousands of talc lawsuits but the 3rd Circuit rejected this strategy.
The lawsuits filed by the state of Mississippi are based on the same allegations that were a part of the individual lawsuits against J&J: that the company's inability to warn of the dangers of ovarian cancer resulting from talcum powder was negligent and was a violation of the law of the state.
J&J has submitted its motion to dismiss lawsuits to another bankruptcy court. A hearing is scheduled for June in order to determine if the lawsuits against J&J are able to continue. If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with a mesothelioma, or any other condition that could have been caused by talcum powder you should seek legal representation immediately. Our experienced lawyers can help you receive the compensation you deserve.