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 case is the first trial that has been held since J&J filed for bankruptcy and spun off its talc division.
In the first quarter of the year, substantial settlements were made in talc lawsuits in New Jersey and California. Plaintiffs attributed cancer to asbestos in J&J products Shower to Shower and baby powder.
What is Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is a fatal form of cancer that affects mesothelium the lining that surrounds organs and body cavities. It is most often found in the lungs but it can also be found in the abdomen, heart and chest cavity as well as testicles. Asbestos is the most well-known mesothelioma causing agent and those who have been exposed to asbestos are at greater chance of developing the disease.
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 heard the story of the plaintiff. The plaintiff, who is only 24 years old, was diagnosed with malignant pericardial mesothelioma in 2022. He blamed the cause of his illness to his early use of Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder. The jury awarded him $25 million.
J&J has been accused of obfuscating asbestos-related risks from consumers for a long time. The company has a long history of hiding asbestos-related findings from regulators, and even supplying asbestos tests to achieve the results it desired. These lawsuits have named several of the company's suppliers of talcum powder such as Whittaker Clark & Daniels, Imerys Talc America, and other companies.
Women who used talcum to provide feminine hygiene, such as sanitary pads or condoms or in the genital area have been diagnosed with mesothelioma and ovarian cancer. The lawsuits assert that J&J knew for more than 40 years that using the powder caused ovarian cancer and mesothelioma, but failed to warn customers of this danger.
Mesothelioma symptoms include breathing difficulties, constant coughing, fatigue, abdominal pain and lumps or masses on the abdomen or chest. Doctors can diagnose mesothelioma by a physical exam and imaging scans. These include CT scans (computer tomography), MRIs, PET or X-rays.
Once a mesothelioma diagnosis is confirmed, patients may undergo chemotherapy, surgery, or radiation. Depending on the site of their tumors, surgeons may be able to remove the affected tissue. Some patients with mesothelioma have a life expectancy lower than five. However aggressive treatments like extracorporeal tissue transplantation or cytoreduction using hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy can prolong the duration of survival.
What is the cause of Mesothelioma?
Like most cancers, mesothelioma develops when a cell's DNA experiences mutations. These mutations cause uncontrolled cell growth that forms tumors in tissues. Asbestos is the most common cause of mesothelioma. Asbestos exposure can occur in a variety of industries such as manufacturing, mining, and transportation. Asbestos can be exposed for 20 to 40 years prior to symptoms appearing. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than females. It is also most often diagnosed among those between the ages of 50 and 70. The type of asbestos-related mesothelioma that someone develops is often determined by where on their body they were exposed. The majority of mesothelioma patients are diagnosed with pleural msothelioma, which affects the lung. Other patients are diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma. This type of mesothelioma affects the abdomen. Finally, some people are diagnosed with pericardial melanoma, the most rare form of the disease that affects the heart's lining (pericardium) and the organ itself.
Mesothelioma symptoms include shortness of breath, fatigue and abdominal pain, as well as 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 typical symptoms of mesothelioma include fluid on the lungs (pleural effusion), loss of appetite, difficulty swallowing and a blockage in the small intestine, referred to as a obstruction in the bowel. Mesothelioma can be fatal.
The talcum-powder trial in Oakland involved a person who was 24 years old who developed pericardial msothelioma after using J&J baby powder. augusta mesothelioma lawyer claimed that J&J knew that talc might contain asbestos and didn't warn consumers. They also cited an 1998 letter to a J&J executive that revealed the possibility of asbestos in their products.
This is only the latest in a string of high-dollar verdicts against J&J. In March, J&J's Talcum powder caused ovarian mesothelioma to a woman. In the same month, a jury in Missouri handed down $55 million in the same case. In addition, seven cases were added to the powder talcum MDL in the last month which brought the total number of lawsuits pending to 37,522. Most of these lawsuits were filed by women who have used J&J talcum powder to maintain feminine hygiene.
How Can I tell whether I have mesothelioma not?
The diagnosis of mesothelioma could be devastating. Patients should always consult an expert to obtain the most accurate information available and avoid misdiagnosis that could lead to unneeded treatment or allow cancer to spread more.
A physical examination and a blood sample can aid in identifying mesothelioma-related symptoms. These tests can detect asbestos fibers in blood or to determine the way in which the organs of a patient are functioning. The most accurate method of diagnosing mesothelioma involves a biopsy. Doctors extract tissue or fluids from the affected area, and then look at them under a microscope for mesothelioma tumor cells.
The type of mesothelioma a sufferer has also impacts the likelihood of a positive outcome. Pleural mesothelioma, the most common type of the disease, and accounts for the majority of cases diagnosed. Peritoneal mesothelioma, a cancer that forms in the abdomen's lining is not as common. The pericardial msothelioma, in turn, is a rare form of cancer that occurs in the lining the heart. It's only one percent of all cases.
A shortness of breath that is more severe with time, and bloody coughing are among the first symptoms. Asbestos patients may also experience fluid accumulation in the chest cavity. This condition is called pleural effusion. It can be eliminated by inserting a needle in the affected region of the chest cavity. In more serious cases, doctors may perform pleurodesis, which is a procedure that seals the space in order to prevent the accumulation of fluid within the pleura.
Making sure that mesothelioma is diagnosed correctly is the best way to determine the patient's treatment options as well as their survival rate. Chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation are all options. Other options include immunotherapy. It is a kind of treatment that increases the immune system to fight mesothelioma cancer cells, and tumor treating fields, which employ an electromagnetic field to destroy cancerous cells.
A specialized mesothelioma specialist can help patients understand the various mesothelioma types which determine how invasive the cancer is and what the prognosis of the patient is. Patients should discuss their history of exposure to asbestos with their physician to determine if they're mesothelioma candidates and find out what types of treatment 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 talcum powder, you could be eligible for a significant amount of compensation. Contact us today to receive a no-cost, no obligation case assessment. We can assist you with bringing 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. The plaintiffs in talcum powder cases claim that inhaling talcum powder caused to their exposure to asbestos which led to mesothelioma as well as other health issues.
J&J failed to warn the public about the dangers of talcum and asbestos even though they had been aware of their dangers for decades. Plaintiffs have filed mesothelioma lawsuits against the company seeking damages for punitive and compensatory. These claims have been consolidated in state and federal multidistrict litigations, or 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 that set the stage for the rest of the year. In the last month, a judge rejected a request by J&J to dismiss the lawsuits filed by the state of Mississippi.
J&J however, tried again to stall the litigation. The company set up an entity that was a subsidiary to take over its talc liabilities, and LTL Management filed for bankruptcy. The bankruptcy was able to halt the talc lawsuits of thousands, but the 3rd Circuit rejected this strategy.
The lawsuits brought by Mississippi are based on the same allegations that are in the background of the individual lawsuits filed against J&J. They assert that the company acted negligently in failing to warn consumers of the possibility of ovarian cancer from talcum-powder and that this resulted in an infraction of the law of the state.
J&J has filed a motion to dismiss lawsuits to another bankruptcy court. A hearing is scheduled for June in order to determine whether the lawsuits against J&J will be allowed to proceed. If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, or any other condition that could be caused by talcum powder you should seek legal assistance immediately. Our skilled lawyers can assist you in obtaining the justice you deserve.