Mesothelioma Lawyer Files Talc Lawsuit Against Johnson & Johnson
A man aged 24 with pericardial msothelioma claims that Johnson & Johnson baby powder is responsible for his cancer. The Oakland mesothelioma trial is the first to proceed since J&J separated its talc business and filed for bankruptcy.
This year, juries awards in New Jersey and California led to large settlements in talc-related lawsuits. Plaintiffs have linked cancer to asbestos that was found in J&J products Shower to Shower and baby powder.
What is Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is a lethal form of cancer is a disease of the mesothelium the lining that surrounds organs and cavities within the body. It is most common in the lungs, but it can be located in the abdomen and chest cavity. Asbestos, the only known cause of this illness, is asbestos. People who have been exposed are at an increased chance of developing it.
The first trial since J&J declared its Talcum Powder division bankrupt was opened this week, and jurors in Oakland, California were emotional as they listened to the testimony of the plaintiff. In 2022, the plaintiff, who was only 24 years old at the time was diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma in the pericardium. The plaintiff attributed his condition to childhood use of Johnson & Johnson baby powder. The jury awarded him $25 million.
J&J is accused of obfuscating asbestos risks from consumers since several decades. J&J has a history of withholding asbestos findings from regulators, and even supplying asbestos tests to generate the results it wanted. The lawsuits have identified a number of the talcum-powder suppliers for the company, including 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 developed an ovarian cancer and some have been diagnosed with mesothelioma. The lawsuits allege that J&J knew for more than 40 years that using the powder could cause mesothelioma and ovarian cancer, but did not warn consumers of this danger.
Mesothelioma symptoms can include breathing difficulties, constant coughing, abdominal pain, fatigue, and lumps or masses on the abdomen or chest. Doctors can identify the disease by a physical examination and imaging scans. These may include CT (computer tomography) scans, MRIs and PET or X-rays.
Once 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. Patients with mesothelioma can be given a life expectancy less than five years, however aggressive treatments such as extracorporeal membrane transplantation and cytoreduction using hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy can extend the life expectancy.
What causes Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma, like most cancers is caused by DNA mutations within a cell. youtube.com lead to uncontrolled cell growth that forms tumors in tissues. Asbestos is the most common cause of mesothelioma. The exposure to asbestos can occur at work in many different industries which include mining, manufacturing, construction and transportation. Asbestos can be exposed for between 20 and 40 years before symptoms developing. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than women. It is also most often diagnosed in people between the ages of 50 and 70. The kind of mesothelioma caused by asbestos that someone develops is often determined by where on their body they were exposed. Most mesothelioma patients are diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma which affects the lung. Some are diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma. This kind of mesothelioma is affecting the abdomen. Certain people are diagnosed with pericardial mesothelioma. This is an extremely rare type of disease that affects both the lining (pericardium) and the organ itself.
Mesothelioma symptoms include fatigue, shortness of breath and abdominal pain, as well as weight loss. In the later stages of mesothelioma the tumors can grow to other areas which can cause extreme discomfort and discomfort. Other signs of mesothelioma can include fluid in the lungs, loss of appetite difficulties eating and swallowing. Mesothelioma is a debilitating illness, and it is often fatal.
The talcum-powder trial in Oakland involved an individual of 24 years old who developed pericardial mesothelioma as a result of using J&J baby powder. His lawyers argued that the company knew that talc contained asbestos, but didn't inform consumers. They also cited a letter from 1998 to an J&J executive that revealed asbestos could be present in their products.
This is the latest in a string of large verdicts against J&J. In March, a jury awarded $18.8 million to a woman who was diagnosed with ovarian mesothelioma from J&J's talcum powder. Last month the jury in Missouri awarded $55 million in a different case that involved the same issue. Seven new cases have been added to the MDL talcum-powder over the past month, bringing it to 37,522 the total number of pending suits. The majority of these lawsuits are brought by women who have used J&J talcum powder to maintain their feminine hygiene.
How can I tell whether I have mesothelioma or not?
A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be devastating. Patients must always consult a doctor to get the most precise diagnosis and to avoid misdiagnosis, which could result in unnecessary treatment and spread of cancer.
A physical examination and blood test is an excellent way to determine 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 a biopsy. Doctors extract tissue or fluids from the affected area, and examine them under a microscope to look for mesothelioma cancer cells.
The type of mesothelioma that sufferers have can influence the prognosis of a patient. Pleural mesothelioma, that forms in the thin lining around the lung, is the most frequent form of the disease and accounts for the majority of cases diagnosed. Peritoneal cancer, which develops in the lining around the abdomen is a less prevalent type. The pericardial msothelioma, in turn, is a rare form of cancer that occurs in the lining the heart. It is only 1% of all cases.
A shortness of breath that gets worse with time, and bloody coughing are among the first symptoms. Asbestos patients might also experience fluid buildup in the chest cavity, a condition known as pleural effusion. The fluid can be eliminated from the chest cavity by inserting a needle into the affected area. In more severe cases, doctors may opt to perform pleurodesis, a procedure that seals the space in order to prevent the accumulation of fluid within the pleura.
Getting an accurate mesothelioma diagnosis is the best way to determine a patient's treatment options and the survival rate. Treatment options include chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation are all options. Other options include immunotherapy, which is a type of treatment that boosts the immune system to fight mesothelioma cancer cells and tumor-targeting fields, which employ the power of magnets to destroy cancerous cells.
A mesothelioma specialist can assist patients in understanding the different mesothelioma cells which determine the extent of the cancer as well as the patient's outlook. Patients should discuss their history of asbestos exposure with their doctor to determine if they're a mesothelioma candidate and discover what kinds of treatment are available to them.
How Can I get help?
If you have used Johnson & Johnson talcum and developed ovarian or other illnesses such as mesothelioma following the use of the powder, you may be eligible for a significant amount of compensation. Contact us today for an absolutely free assessment of your case. We can help you bring a mesothelioma suit against J&J to ensure that they are held accountable for their negligence.
Mesothelioma, an uncommon and fatal illness caused by asbestos exposure, is a rare condition. Asbestos was once widely used in a wide range of consumer and industrial products including baby powder. In talcum-powder cases plaintiffs assert that exposure to asbestos from inhaling the powder caused them to develop mesothelioma, or other health issues.
J&J believed to have known about the dangers of talcum powder and asbestos for decades, but did not warn consumers. Plaintiffs have filed mesothelioma lawsuits against J&J seeking compensatory and punitive damages. These lawsuits have been consolidated in federal and state multidistrict lawsuits, also known as MDLs.
In 2018, one of the largest Talc cases resulted in a $4.7 billion verdict in the favor of the plaintiff. The news made headlines across the country and set the stage for the rest of the litigation. In the last month, a judge denied J&J's motion to dismiss the lawsuits filed by the state.
However, in an effort to stop the lawsuit, J&J tried again. The company established a new subsidiary entity to take over its talc liabilities, and LTL Management filed for bankruptcy. The bankruptcy stopped thousands of talc lawsuits, however, the 3rd Circuit rejected this strategy.
The lawsuits brought by Mississippi are based upon the same allegations of the individual lawsuits brought against J&J. They assert that the company was negligent in not warning of the risk of ovarian carcinoma due to talcum-powder, and that this resulted in an infraction to the law of the state.
J&J has submitted its motion to dismiss lawsuits before a different bankruptcy court. A hearing is scheduled for June in order to determine if the lawsuits against J&J will be allowed to continue. If you or someone around you has been diagnosed with mesothelioma or another condition that could be the result of talcum powder. You must seek legal advice immediately. Our experienced lawyers can assist you in obtaining the compensation you deserve.