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 caused his cancer. The Oakland mesothelioma case is the first one to be held since J&J separated its talc business and filed for bankruptcy.
This year, juries awards in New Jersey and California led to massive settlements in talc lawsuits. Plaintiffs linked cancer to asbestos that was found in J&J products Shower to Shower and baby powder.
What is Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is a deadly type 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 occur in the abdomen, the heart, chest cavity and testicles. Asbestos, the only known cause of this disease is asbestos. People who have been exposed are at risk of developing it.
The first trial since J&J declared bankruptcy on its talcum powder division opened in Oakland, California this week. Jurors were impressed 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 in the pericardium. He blamed the cause of his illness to his childhood use Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder. The jury awarded him $25 million.
J&J has been accused of concealing asbestos-related risks from consumers for a number of years. The company has a history of obstructing asbestos research from regulators and even funding asbestos tests to achieve the results it wanted. The lawsuits have identified a number of the talcum-powder suppliers for the company which include Whittaker Clark & Daniels, Imerys Talc America, and other companies.
Some women who used talcum for feminine hygiene on sanitary pads or condoms, or in the genital area have been diagnosed with mesothelioma and ovarian cancer. The lawsuits claim that J&J knew for more than 40 years that the powder caused ovarian cancer and mesothelioma, but failed to warn customers of this risk.
Mesothelioma symptoms may include breathing difficulties, constant coughing, fatigue, abdominal pain and lumps or masses on the chest or abdomen. Doctors can identify the disease through a physical examination and imaging scans. These include CT scans (computer tomography), MRIs, PET or X rays.
If a mesothelioma diagnosis has been confirmed, patients may undergo chemotherapy, surgery, or radiation. Depending on the location of their tumors surgeons may be able remove the affected tissue. Certain patients with mesothelioma have a lifespan less than five. However, aggressive treatments such as extracorporeal transplantation of tissue and chemotherapy for cytoreduction that uses hyperthermic intraperitoneal therapy can prolong the life of patients.
What causes Mesothelioma?
Like vista mesothelioma lawsuit , mesothelioma develops by DNA mutations. These mutations cause uncontrolled cell growth that causes tumors to form in tissues. Asbestos is the most frequent mesothelioma cause. Asbestos exposure can be found in many different industries, including manufacturing, mining, construction and transportation. Asbestos exposure usually occurs between 20 to 40 years prior to the time symptoms appear. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma compared to women. It is also found most often among those between the ages of 50 and 70. The type of mesothelioma 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. Some are diagnosed with peritoneal msothelioma. This kind of mesothelioma affects the abdomen. Additionally, some patients are diagnosed with pericardial mesothelioma. It is an extremely rare form of the disease that affects the heart's lining (pericardium) and the organ itself.
Mesothelioma symptoms include fatigue, shortness of breath, abdominal pain and weight loss. In the later mesothelioma stages, the tumors can spread to different areas of the body which can cause severe pain and discomfort. Other symptoms that are common to mesothelioma are fluid on the lungs (pleural effusion), loss of appetite, difficulty swallowing and a blockage in the small intestine referred to as a bowel obstruction. Mesothelioma can be fatal.
The trial involving talcum powder in Oakland involved a man of 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 warn consumers. 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 string of major verdicts against J&J. In March, J&J's Talcum Powder caused ovarian mesothelioma in one woman. In the same month, a jury in Missouri handed down $55 million in the same case. Seven new cases have been added to the MDL talcum-powder over the past month, which brings the total to 37,522 the number of lawsuits in the process. The majority of these lawsuits involve women who used J&J's Talcum powder for feminine hygiene purposes.
How Do I Know if I Have Mesothelioma?
A diagnosis of mesothelioma is devastating. Patients should always see an expert to obtain the most accurate diagnosis possible and prevent misdiagnosis that could lead to unnecessary treatment and allow cancer to expand further.
A physical examination and a blood test can be a good start to identify whether mesothelioma has caused symptoms. These tests can be used to determine asbestos fibers in the blood or to determine the way in which the organs of a patient are functioning. The most precise method to determine if mesothelioma has been detected is through a biopsy, in which doctors remove fluid or tissue from the affected area and then examine it under a microscope to detect mesothelioma-related cells.
The type of mesothelioma that is present in a patient can affect his or her prognosis. Pleural mesothelioma, which forms in the thin lining of the lungs, is the most common form of the disease and makes up the majority of diagnosed cases. Peritoneal mesothelioma is a type of cancer that is found in the abdomen's lining is less prevalent. Finally, pericardial mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer that occurs in the heart's lining, is much less common and represents around one percent of cases.
A shortness of breath that becomes worse over time, and a bloody cough are among the first symptoms. Asbestos sufferers may also experience fluid accumulation within the chest cavity. This condition is called pleural effusion. It can be removed by inserting a needle in the affected region of the chest cavity. In more severe cases, doctors might undergo a procedure called pleurodesis, which seals the area to stop the reaccumulation of fluid in the pleura.
Making sure that mesothelioma is diagnosed correctly is the most reliable way to determine a patient's treatment options and the survival rate. Chemotherapy, surgery and radiation are all options. Other options include immunotherapy which enhances the immune system to fight mesothelioma and cancer treating fields that employ the power of magnets to kill cancerous cells.
A specialized mesothelioma specialist can also help patients understand the various mesothelioma types that determine how aggressive the cancer is and what the prognosis for the patient is. Patients should discuss their experience of asbestos exposure with their physician to determine if they're a mesothelioma candidate and learn about the various types of treatment options are available to them.
How Can I get help?
If you've used Johnson & Johnson talcum and suffered from ovarian or other diseases like mesothelioma after using the powder, you may be entitled to a substantial amount of compensation. Contact us now to receive a no-cost, no obligation case evaluation. We can help you bring mesothelioma lawsuit against J&J to ensure that they are held accountable for their negligence.
Mesothelioma is an uncommon and fatal illness caused by asbestos exposure is a rare disease. Asbestos was widely used in many industrial and consumer products like baby powder. In talcum powder cases plaintiffs claim that exposure to asbestos from inhaling the powder caused them to develop mesothelioma or other health problems.
J&J did not inform the public about the dangers of asbestos and talcum even though they had been aware of their dangers for many years. Plaintiffs have filed lawsuits seeking punitive damages as well as compensatory damages against the company. The claims have been combined in state and federal multidistrict lawsuits, also known as MDLs.
In 2018, one of the largest trial involving talc resulted in a $4.7 billion verdict for the plaintiff. This was a national news story and set the precedent for the rest of the year. In the last month, a judge ruled against the motion of J&J to dismiss the lawsuits brought by the state of Mississippi.
In an attempt to stop the lawsuit, J&J tried again. The company set up a new subsidiary entity to take on its talc liability and LTL Management filed for bankruptcy. The bankruptcy stayed thousands of talc lawsuits however, the 3rd Circuit rejected this strategy.
The lawsuits brought by Mississippi are based upon the same allegations as those of the individual lawsuits filed against J&J. They allege that the company was negligent in failing to warn consumers of the possibility of ovarian cancer from talcum-powder and that this constituted an infraction to 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 to determine whether the lawsuits against J&J can be pursued. If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with mesothelioma or other disease that could have been caused by talcum powder, you should seek legal representation immediately. Our skilled lawyers will assist you in getting the compensation you deserve.