Mesothelioma Lawyer Files Talc Lawsuit Against Johnson & Johnson
A man who is 24 years old and has pericardial mesothelioma has alleged Johnson & Johnson's baby powder caused his cancer. The Oakland mesothelioma case marks the first trial to be held since J&J filed for bankruptcy and spun off its Talc division.
In the first quarter of the year, substantial settlements were reached in talc cases in New Jersey and California. Plaintiffs have linked cancer to asbestos found in J&J products Shower to Shower and baby powder.
What is Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is a lethal form of cancer that affects the mesothelium, or the lining that surrounds organs and cavities inside the body. It is most commonly found in the lungs, but it can also be found in the abdomen, heart and chest cavity as well as testicles. Asbestos, the only known cause of this disease is asbestos. People who have been exposed to asbestos are at a higher risk of developing it.
The first trial since J&J declared its Talcum Powder division bankrupt began this week and jurors in Oakland, California were emotional as they listened to the plaintiff's story. 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. He blamed his condition on childhood use of Johnson & Johnson baby powder. The jury awarded him $25 million.
J&J is accused of obfuscating asbestos risks from consumers for several decades. The company has a long track record of concealing asbestos-related information from regulators, and even paying for asbestos tests that did not yield the results they desired. 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 areas or on sanitary napkins, or condoms have been diagnosed with ovarian cancer, and some have been diagnosed with mesothelioma. The lawsuits claim that J&J knew for more than 40 years that using the powder caused mesothelioma and ovarian cancer, however, they failed to warn consumers of this risk.
The symptoms of mesothelioma are abdominal pain, abdominal swelling, abdominal lumps and persistent coughing. Doctors can diagnose mesothelioma through physical examination and imaging scans. These may include CT (computer tomography) scans, MRIs and PET or X-rays.
If a mesothelioma diagnosis has been confirmed, patients can undergo surgery, chemotherapy and/or radiation. Depending on the location of their tumors, surgeons may be able remove the affected tissue. Patients with mesothelioma may 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?
Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that is caused by DNA changes in a cell. These mutations cause the cells to multiply rapidly, forming tumors in the tissues of the body. Asbestos is the leading mesothelioma cause. Asbestos exposure can be found in a variety of industries, including manufacturing, mining, and transportation. Asbestos exposure is typically seen in the 20 to 40 years preceding symptoms appear. 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 type of mesothelioma a person gets is often determined by the region of their body that were exposed to asbestos. Most people with mesothelioma are diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma which affects the lung. Some are diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma, a type of mesothelioma that affects the abdomen. In addition, some individuals are diagnosed with pericardial mesothelioma, the most rare form of the disease that affects the lining of the heart (pericardium) and the organ itself.
A lack of breath, fatigue and abdominal pain are all symptoms of mesothelioma. In the later stages of mesothelioma, tumors may expand to other parts of the body, causing severe discomfort and discomfort. Other symptoms that are common to mesothelioma include fluid on the lungs (pleural effusion), loss of appetite, difficulties swallowing and a blockage in the small intestine referred to as a obstruction in the bowel. Mesothelioma is a terminal illness, and it is usually fatal.
The talcum-powder trial in Oakland involved an individual of 24 years old who developed pericardial msothelioma after using J&J baby powder. His lawyers claimed that J&J knew that talc contained asbestos but did not inform customers. They also cited a letter from 1998 to an J&J executive that revealed asbestos could be present in their products.
This is just the latest in a long line of high-dollar 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. Seven new cases have been added to the MDL talcum-powder in the last month, bringing it to 37,522 the number of pending suits. The majority of these lawsuits involve women who have used J&J's talcum powder for feminine hygiene purposes.
How Can I Tell if I Have Mesothelioma?
A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be devastating. Patients should consult a specialist to get the most accurate information possible and avoid misdiagnosis which could lead to unnecessary treatment and let cancer expand further.
A physical examination and blood test can be an effective way to determine whether mesothelioma is causing symptoms. These tests can detect asbestos fibers in blood or to determine how well a patient's organs are functioning. The most reliable method of diagnosing mesothelioma involves taking a biopsy. Doctors extract tissues or fluids from an affected area, and then look at them under a microscope for mesothelioma cancer cells.
The type of mesothelioma that sufferers have can affect his or her prognosis. Pleural mesothelioma, the most common type of the disease and accounts for the majority of cases diagnosed. Peritoneal cancer, which develops in the lining surrounding the abdomen, is a less common type. The pericardial mesothelioma, an uncommon type that develops in the heart's lining is much rarer and only makes up about one percent of cases.
The first signs include shortness of breath which gets worse with time and coughing up blood. Asbestos patients can also experience fluid accumulation within the chest cavity. This is known as Pleural effusion. This can be drained by inserting a needle into the affected region of the chest cavity. In more severe cases, doctors might undergo a procedure called pleurodesis to seal the space to stop the reaccumulation of fluid in the pleura.
A precise mesothelioma diagnosis is the best method to determine the patient's treatment options and survival rate. There are a myriad of treatments available, including surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. There are also immunotherapy treatments that increases the immune system to fight mesothelioma as well as tumor treating fields that use the power of magnets to kill cancerous cells.
A mesothelioma specialist who is specialized can also help patients understand the different mesothelioma cells that determine how aggressive the cancer is and what the prognosis for the patient is. Patients should discuss with their doctor their history of asbestos exposure to determine whether mesothelioma could be an option and what treatment options are available.
How Can I Get Help?
If you've used Johnson & Johnson talcum powder and then developed ovarian cancer, or a different illness such as mesothelioma, you could 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 make J&J accountable for their actions.
Mesothelioma is a rare, but fatal illness that is caused by exposure to asbestos. Asbestos was used in many industrial and consumer products like baby powder. In talcum powder cases, plaintiffs claim that asbestos exposure from inhaling the powder led to the development of mesothelioma and other health issues.
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. These lawsuits have been consolidated in state and federal multidistrict lawsuits, also known as MDLs.
In 2018 one of the first major Talc trials ended in an $4.7 billion verdict for the plaintiff. It was a national news story and set the tone for the rest. In the last month, a judge denied J&J's motion to dismiss the lawsuits brought by the state.
However, in an attempt to halt the lawsuit, J&J tried again. The company created an entity that was a subsidiary to take on its talc liability, and LTL Management filed for bankruptcy. The bankruptcy stayed thousands of talc lawsuits, but the 3rd Circuit rejected this strategy.
sioux falls mesothelioma lawyer brought by the state of Mississippi are built on the same allegations as the individual lawsuits against J&J which allege that the company's inability to warn consumers about the dangers of ovarian cancer 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 to determine if the lawsuits against J&J are able to proceed. If you or someone you know is diagnosed with mesothelioma or another condition that could be caused by talcum powder, you should seek legal advice immediately. Our skilled lawyers will assist you in getting the compensation you deserve.