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 is the first to proceed since J&J has dissolved its Talc business and filed for bankruptcy.
In the first quarter of this year, large settlements were made in talc suits in New Jersey and California. Plaintiffs 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 in the body. It is usually found in the lungs, however it can also occur in the abdomen, the heart and chest cavity, as well as the testicles. Asbestos is the most well-known mesothelioma-related cause, and people who have been exposed to asbestos are at greater chance of developing the disease.
The first trial following J&J declared bankruptcy over its talcum powder division opened in Oakland, California this week. Jurors were moved by the story of the plaintiff. In 2022, the plaintiff who was just 24 years old at the time, old at the time, was diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma in the pericardium. He attributed the cause of his illness to his 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 history of withholding asbestos findings from regulators and even funding asbestos tests to get the results it wanted. Several of the company's talcum powder suppliers have been named in these lawsuits which include Whittaker, Clark & Daniels and Imerys Talc America.
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 the powder led to mesothelioma and ovarian cancer, but failed to warn customers of this danger.
Mesothelioma symptoms include difficulty breathing, persistent coughing and abdominal pain, fatigue and lumps or masses on the chest or abdomen. Doctors can detect mesothelioma with a physical exam and imaging scans. These include CT scans (computer tomography), MRIs, PET or X-rays.
Once a mesothelioma diagnosis is confirmed, patients can undergo chemotherapy, surgery, or radiation. Depending on the site of their tumors, surgeons might be able to remove the affected tissue. Patients with mesothelioma may have a life expectancy less than five. However aggressive treatments like extracorporeal tissue transplantation and cytoreduction using hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy can prolong the life of patients.
What causes Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma, like most cancers 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 common mesothelioma cause. Exposure to asbestos can occur in a variety of industries which include mining, manufacturing construction, transportation and construction. Asbestos is usually exposed for 20 to 40 years prior to the onset of symptoms appearing. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than women. It is also diagnosed most often in people between the ages of 50 and 70. The type of mesothelioma a person is usually determined by the part of their body where they were exposed to asbestos. The majority of people diagnosed with mesothelioma are diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma, which affects the lungs. Other patients are diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma, a type of mesothelioma that affects the abdomen. Finally, some people are diagnosed with pericardial melanoma, an extremely rare form of the disease that affects the heart's lining (pericardium) and the organ itself.
Shortness of breath as well as abdominal pain and fatigue are all symptoms of mesothelioma. In the later stages of mesothelioma, the tumors may spread to other areas of the body causing severe pain and discomfort. Other signs of mesothelioma can include fluid in the lungs, nausea difficulties eating and swallowing. Mesothelioma can be fatal.
The talcum-powder trial in Oakland involved a man of 24 years old who was diagnosed with pericardial msothelioma after using J&J baby powder. His lawyers claimed that J&J knew that talc contained asbestos but didn't warn customers. They also cited an 1998 letter to a J&J executive, revealing the possibility of asbestos in their products.
This is the latest in a series of high-dollar 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, a jury in Missouri awarded $55 million in a separate case that involved the same issue. In Plano mesothelioma lawyers , seven cases were added to the powder talcum MDL in the last month which brought the number of lawsuits pending to 37,522. The majority of these lawsuits concern women who used J&J's Talcum powder for feminine hygiene purposes.
How do I know 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 that could lead to unnecessary treatment and let cancer expand further.
A physical examination and a blood test is an effective way to determine whether mesothelioma has caused symptoms. These tests can be used to determine asbestos fibers in blood or to assess the way in which the organs of a patient are functioning. The most reliable method to diagnose mesothelioma is by biopsy, which is when doctors remove tissue or fluid from the affected area, and then examine it under a microscope in order to search for mesothelioma cancer cells.
The type of mesothelioma that a sufferer has also impacts the likelihood of a positive outcome. Pleural mesothelioma, the most prevalent type of disease and accounts for the majority of cases that are diagnosed. Peritoneal mesothelioma is a type of cancer that develops in the abdomen's lining, is less common. Finally, pericardial mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer that occurs in the lining of the heart, is much rarer and only makes up approximately 1percent of cases.
The first signs include breathlessness which gets worse with time and coughing up blood. Asbestos patients can also experience fluid accumulation in the chest cavity. This condition is called the pleural effusion. It can be eliminated by inserting a needle in the affected region of the chest cavity. In more serious cases, doctors may opt to perform pleurodesis, an operation that seals the space to prevent the accumulation of fluid in the pleura.
A precise diagnosis of mesothelioma is crucial to determine the rate of survival for a patient and treatment options. There are a myriad of treatments available, including surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. Other options include immunotherapy, which is a kind of treatment that increases the immune system to fight mesothelioma cancer cells and tumor-removing fields, which use a magnetic field to kill cancerous cells.
A mesothelioma specialist who is specialized can also assist patients in understanding the various mesothelioma types, which determine how aggressive the cancer is and what the patient's prognosis is. Patients should discuss their history of asbestos exposure with their physician to determine if they're mesothelioma-related and learn about the various types of treatment options are available to them.
How Can I Get Help?
If you have used Johnson & Johnson talcum powder and have been diagnosed with ovarian cancer or another illness like mesothelioma or other cancers, you could be eligible for substantial compensation. Contact us today for an absolutely free assessment of your case. We can assist you with bringing mesothelioma suits against J&J to hold them accountable for negligence.
Mesothelioma is a rare and fatal disease caused by asbestos exposure is a rare disease. Asbestos was utilized in a variety of consumer and industrial products including baby powder. Plaintiffs in talcum powder lawsuits claim that inhaling talcum powder caused to their asbestos exposure which led to mesothelioma as well as other health issues.
J&J allegedly knew about the dangers of talcum powder and asbestos for a long time, but failed to warn consumers. Plaintiffs have filed mesothelioma lawsuits against J&J seeking punitive and compensatory damages. These claims have been amalgamated into federal and state multidistrict litigations, also known as MDLs.
In 2018 one of the biggest talc cases resulted in an $4.7 billion verdict in favor of the plaintiff. This was a major news story and set a tone for the rest of the litigation. Last month, a court denied J&J's motion to dismiss the lawsuits filed by the state.
J&J, however, tried to stop the litigation. LTL Management, a subsidiary of J&J has filed for bankruptcy after the company incorporated an entity to take over its liabilities. The bankruptcy ended thousands of talc suits, however, the 3rd Circuit rejected that 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 of the possibility of ovarian cancer from talcum powder and that this was an infraction to the law of the state.
J&J has submitted its motion to dismiss the lawsuits to a different bankruptcy court. A hearing is scheduled for June to determine if the lawsuits against J&J will be allowed to proceed. If you or someone near you has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, or another condition which could have been caused talcum powder. You must seek legal advice immediately. Our skilled lawyers can help you receive compensation you deserve.