Mesothelioma Lawyer Files Talc Lawsuit Against Johnson & Johnson
A man who is 24 years old and has pericardial mesothelioma has alleged Johnson and Johnson's baby powder was responsible for his cancer. The Oakland mesothelioma case marks the first trial to be held since J&J filed for bankruptcy and split off its Talc division.
In the beginning of this year, large settlements were reached in talc suits in New Jersey and California. Plaintiffs attributed their cancer to asbestos in J&J's Shower Baby and Shower Powder products.
What is Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma can be a deadly form of cancer that affects mesothelium or lining that surrounds organs and body cavities. It is most often found in the lungs, but it can also occur in the abdomen, heart and chest cavity as well as testicles. Asbestos, the sole 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 over its talcum powder division opened in Oakland, California this week. Jurors were moved by the story of the plaintiff. The plaintiff, who is only 24 years old was diagnosed with malignant pericardial mesothelioma in 2022. He blamed the reason for his illness to his early use of Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder. The jury awarded him $26 million.
J&J has been accused of concealing asbestos-related risks from consumers for decades. J&J has a history of obstructing asbestos research from regulators, and even supplying asbestos tests to get the results it desired. A number 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 gotten an ovarian cancer and some have been diagnosed with mesothelioma. The lawsuits claim 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 may include breathing problems, chronic coughing abdominal pain, fatigue and lumps or masses on the abdomen or chest. Doctors can diagnose the condition through a physical exam and imaging scans. These may include CT (computer tomography) scans, MRIs and PET or X-rays.
After a mesothelioma is diagnosed patients can undergo chemotherapy, surgery, or radiotherapy. The surgeons can remove affected tissue, based on the location of the tumors. Patients with mesothelioma can be given a life expectancy of less than five years, however aggressive treatments like extracorporeal membrane transplant and cytoreduction by hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy can extend the duration of their survival.
What is the cause of Mesothelioma?
Like all cancers, mesothelioma is caused when a cell's DNA experiences mutations. These mutations can cause uncontrolled cell growth, which creates tumors in the tissues. Asbestos is the most frequent cause of mesothelioma. Asbestos exposure can occur in many different industries including manufacturing, mining, and transportation. Asbestos exposure typically occurs 20 to 40 years prior to the time symptoms appear. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than women. It is also most often diagnosed among those between the ages 50 and 70. The type of mesothelioma a sufferer is usually determined by the region of their body where they were exposed to asbestos. The majority of patients diagnosed with pleural msothelioma which affects the lung. Others are diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma. one type of mesothelioma which affects the abdomen. Finally, some people are diagnosed with pericardial mesothelioma, the most rare form of the disease that affects the lining of the heart (pericardium) and the organ itself.
Symptoms of mesothelioma include shortness of breath, fatigue abdominal pain and weight loss. In the later stages of mesothelioma, the tumors may expand to other parts of the body which can cause extreme discomfort and discomfort. Other common symptoms of mesothelioma include fluid on the lung (pleural effusion) and a loss of appetite, difficulty swallowing, and a blockage of the small intestine referred to as a bowel obstruction. Mesothelioma can be fatal.
The talcum powder trial in Oakland involved a man of 24 years old who was diagnosed with pericardial mesothelioma as a result of using J&J baby powder. His lawyers argued that the company knew talc could contain asbestos and didn't warn consumers. They also cited an 1998 letter to a J&J executive, revealing the possibility of asbestos being present in their products.
This is just the latest in a series of high-dollar verdicts against J&J. In March, J&J's Talcum Powder caused ovarian mesothelioma in a woman. In the same month, a jury in Missouri awarded $55 Million in the same case. In addition, seven new cases were added to the talcum powder MDL in the last month and brought the total number of lawsuits pending to 37,522. Most of these lawsuits are filed by women who used J&J talcum powder to maintain their feminine hygiene.
How do I know If I Have Mesothelioma?
The diagnosis of mesothelioma could be devastating. Patients must always consult a doctor for the most accurate diagnosis and to avoid misdiagnosis, which could lead to unnecessary treatment and the spread of cancer.
A physical exam and a blood sample can help to identify mesothelioma signs. Minneapolis mesothelioma attorneys can be used to determine the presence of asbestos fibers in blood or to determine the extent to which a patient's organs are functioning. The most precise method to diagnose mesothelioma is by biopsy, which is when doctors remove fluid or tissue from the affected area, and then examine it under a microscope to search for mesothelioma cancer cells.
The type of mesothelioma a sufferer has also impacts his or her prognosis. Pleural mesothelioma, that forms in the thin lining of the lungs, is the common form of mesothelioma and accounts for the majority of cases diagnosed. Peritoneal mesothelioma is a type of cancer that is found in the abdomen's lining, is less common. In addition, pericardial mesothelioma is a rare kind 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 some of the first symptoms. Asbestos sufferers 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 an needle into the area affected. In more serious cases, doctors can perform a procedure called pleurodesis to seal the space to prevent the reaccumulation in the pleura.
Getting an accurate mesothelioma diagnosis is the best way to determine the patient's treatment options and the survival rate. There are a variety of treatments available, including surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. Other options include immunotherapy which boosts the immune systems to fight mesothelioma as well as tumor treating fields that use a magnetic field in order to kill cancerous cells.
A mesothelioma expert can also assist patients in understanding different mesothelioma cells that determine the severity of the cancer and the patient's outlook. Patients should discuss with their physician their experience with asbestos exposure to determine whether mesothelioma could be a possibility 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 another illness like mesothelioma or other cancers, you could be eligible for substantial compensation. Contact us now for a free, no obligation case assessment. We can help you bring a mesothelioma suit against J&J to make them accountable for their negligence.
Mesothelioma is a rare, but fatal illness that is caused by exposure to asbestos. Asbestos was widely used in many industrial and consumer products, including baby powder. In talcum-powder lawsuits, plaintiffs claim that exposure to asbestos from inhaling the powder led to the development of mesothelioma or other health problems.
J&J did not inform the public about the dangers of talcum and asbestos even though they had been aware of their dangers for decades. Plaintiffs have filed lawsuits seeking punitive damages and compensatory damages against J&J. These claims have been amalgamated into federal and state multidistrict litigations or MDLs.
In 2018, one of the first large Talc trials ended in an $4.7 billion settlement for the plaintiff. It was a national news story and set the tone for the rest. In the last month, a judge rejected a motion by J&J to dismiss the lawsuits filed by the state of Mississippi.
However, in an attempt to halt the litigation, J&J tried again. The company created a new subsidiary entity to take over its talc liabilities and LTL Management filed for bankruptcy. The bankruptcy stopped thousands of talc suits, but the 3rd Circuit rejected that strategy.
The lawsuits brought by the state of Mississippi are founded on the same allegations that were a part of the individual lawsuits against J&J that claim that the company's failure to warn about the risks of ovarian cancer caused by talcum powder was negligent and violated 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 to determine if the lawsuits against J&J can continue. If you or someone you know is diagnosed with mesothelioma, or any other condition that could have been caused by talcum powder, you should seek legal representation immediately. Our lawyers are experienced and can assist you in obtaining the compensation you're entitled to.