Mesothelioma Lawyer Files Talc Lawsuit Against Johnson & Johnson
A 24-year-old man with pericardial mesothelioma has alleged Johnson and Johnson's baby powder caused his cancer. The Oakland mesothelioma trial is the first one to be held since J&J has dissolved its talc business and filed for bankruptcy.
Earlier this year, jury awards in New Jersey and California led to big settlements in talc lawsuits. Plaintiffs blamed their cancer on asbestos found in J&J's Shower Shower and Baby Powder products.
What is Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is a deadly type of cancer that affects mesothelium the lining that surrounds organs and body cavities. It is most common in the lungs, but it can be found in the chest and abdomen cavity. Asbestos, the sole known cause of this illness, is asbestos. People who have been exposed to asbestos are at a higher chance of developing it.
The first trial following J&J declared bankruptcy over its talcum powder division began in Oakland, California this week. Jurors were moved by the story of the plaintiff. In 2022, the plaintiff who was only 24 years old at the time, old at the time was diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma in the pericardium. He blamed his condition on childhood use of Johnson & Johnson baby powder. The jury awarded him $26 million.
J&J has been accused of obfuscating asbestos-related risks from consumers for a long time. The company has a long track record of keeping asbestos information from regulators, and even paying for asbestos tests that gave the results they wanted. These lawsuits have identified several of the talcum-powder suppliers for the company, including 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 region have developed ovarian and mesothelioma. The lawsuits claim that J&J knew for more than 40 years that using the powder led to ovarian cancer and mesothelioma, but failed to warn customers of the risk.
Symptoms of mesothelioma include abdominal pain, abdominal swelling, abdominal lumps and a persistent cough. Doctors can diagnose the condition through a physical examination and imaging scans. They can include CT (computer tomography) scans, MRIs and PET or X-rays.
Once a mesothelioma diagnosis is confirmed, patients can undergo chemotherapy, surgery and/or radiation. Depending on the site of their tumors, surgeons might be able to remove the affected tissue. Certain patients with mesothelioma have a life expectancy less than five. However aggressive treatments like extracorporeal transplantation of tissue and cytoreduction using hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy can prolong survival.
What causes Mesothelioma?
Like most cancers, mesothelioma occurs by DNA mutations. These mutations cause cells to multiply uncontrollably and form tumors in the tissues of the body. Asbestos is the most common cause mesothelioma. Exposure to asbestos can be found in a variety of industries such as manufacturing, mining construction, and transportation. Asbestos exposure usually occurs between 20 to 40 years prior to the time symptoms develop. Mesothelioma is more prevalent in men than women, and it is most often diagnosed in people who are in their 50s and 70s. The kind of mesothelioma caused by asbestos that a person develops is often determined by the place they were exposed. The majority of mesothelioma patients are diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma that affects the lung. Other patients are diagnosed with peritoneal msothelioma. This kind of mesothelioma affects the abdomen. Some people are diagnosed with pericardial mesothelioma. This is a rare type of cancer that affects both the inner lining (pericardium), and the organ itself.
A lack of breath as well as abdominal pain and fatigue are all signs of mesothelioma. In the late stages of mesothelioma, the tumors may spread to other parts of the body, causing severe discomfort and pain. Other typical symptoms of mesothelioma include swelling of 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 is a debilitating illness that is usually fatal.
The trial involving talcum powder in Oakland involved a 24-year-old man who was diagnosed with pericardial cancer due to the use of J&J baby powder. His lawyers argued that J&J knew talc could contain asbestos, but did not warn consumers about it. They also cited a letter from 1998 to an J&J executive which revealed the possibility of asbestos in their products.
This is the latest in a string of major verdicts against J&J. In March, a jury awarded $18.8 million to a woman who was diagnosed with mesothelioma of the ovarian tract from J&J's powder. Last month, a jury in Missouri awarded $55 million in another case that dealt with the same issue. In addition, seven cases were added to the talcum powder MDL over the last month, bringing the total number of pending lawsuits to 37,522. Most of these lawsuits were brought by women who have 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 should always seek out a specialist for the most precise diagnosis and to avoid false diagnosis, which could result in unnecessary treatment and spread of cancer.
A physical examination and a blood test could be a good start to identify whether mesothelioma is causing symptoms. These tests can be used to determine the presence of asbestos fibers in the blood or to assess how well a patient's organs are functioning. The most precise method to identify mesothelioma is with a biopsy, where 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 a sufferer has also impacts his or her prognosis. Pleural mesothelioma, that forms in the thin lining that surrounds the lungs, is the most common form of the disease and accounts for the majority of cases diagnosed. Peritoneal mesothelioma, a cancer that is found in the abdomen's lining is not as common. Lastly, pericardial msothelioma is a rare form of cancer that develops in the lining of the heart. It's only 1percent of all cases.
The first signs include shortness of breath that gets worse over time and a coughing up of blood. Asbestos victims can also experience fluid accumulation in the chest cavity, a condition called pleural effusion. It can be removed by inserting a needle in the affected area of the chest cavity. In more severe cases doctors might perform pleurodesis. This is an operation which seals the area in order to prevent the fluid from accumulating in the pleura.
A reliable diagnosis of mesothelioma is essential to determining a patient's survival rate and treatment options. There are a myriad of options for treatment, including surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. Other options include immunotherapy which increases the immune system to fight mesothelioma as well as tumor treating fields that use a magnetic field in order to kill cancerous cell.
A mesothelioma specialist who is specialized can help patients understand the different mesothelioma cells that determine how aggressive the cancer is and what the patient's prognosis is. Patients should discuss their history of exposure to asbestos with their doctor to determine if they're mesothelioma-related and learn about the various types of treatment are available to them.
How Can I Get Help?
If you have used Johnson & Johnson talcum powder and developed ovarian cancer or a different illness such as mesothelioma, you could be eligible for substantial compensation. Contact us today for a no-cost, non- obligation case evaluation. We can assist you with bringing mesothelioma lawsuit against J&J to ensure that they are held accountable for their negligence.
Mesothelioma is a rare, but fatal disease caused by asbestos exposure. Asbestos was used 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 and subsequently mesothelioma and other health problems.
J&J was allegedly aware of the dangers of asbestos and talcum powder for a long time, but failed to warn consumers. Plaintiffs have filed lawsuits seeking punitive damages and compensatory damages against the company. Check This Out have been amalgamated into federal and state multidistrict litigations, 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. This made national headlines and set a tone for the rest of the litigation. Last month, a judge denied the motion of J&J to dismiss the lawsuits filed by the state of Mississippi.
J&J however, attempted again to stall the litigation. LTL Management, a subsidiary of J&J was forced to file for bankruptcy after the company established an entity to take over its liabilities. The bankruptcy was able to halt the talc lawsuits of thousands, however, the 3rd Circuit rejected this strategy.
The lawsuits filed by the state of Mississippi are built on the same allegations that were a part of the individual lawsuits brought against J&J: that the company's inability to warn consumers about the dangers of ovarian cancer caused by the talcum powder was negligent and constituted violations of state law.
J&J has submitted its motion to dismiss the lawsuits to another bankruptcy court. A hearing has been scheduled for June to determine whether the lawsuits against J&J will be allowed to proceed. If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with a mesothelioma, or any other condition that could have been caused by talcum powder you should seek legal assistance immediately. Our skilled attorneys can assist you in obtaining the justice you deserve.
