Mesothelioma Lawyer Files Talc Lawsuit Against Johnson & Johnson
A man who is 24 years old and has pericardial mesotheliom claims that Johnson & Johnson baby powder is the cause of his cancer. The Oakland mesothelioma case is the first trial to be held since J&J filed for bankruptcy and split off its talc division.
This year, juries awards in New Jersey and California led to massive settlements in talc lawsuits. Plaintiffs linked their cancer to asbestos in J&J's Shower to Shower and Baby Powder products.
What is Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is a lethal form of cancer is a disease of the mesothelium lining around organs and cavities inside the body. It is most common in the lungs but can also be located in the abdomen and chest cavity. Asbestos is the most well-known mesothelioma-related cause, and people who have been exposed to asbestos are at a higher chance of developing the disease.
The first trial since J&J declared bankruptcy over its talcum powder division opened in Oakland, California this week. Jurors were impressed by the story of the plaintiff. The plaintiff, who is just 24 years old was diagnosed with malignant pericardial mesothelioma 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 risks from consumers for decades. The company has a long tradition of hiding asbestos information from regulators, and paying for asbestos tests that did not yield the results they wanted. These lawsuits have identified several of the company's talcum-powder suppliers such as Whittaker Clark & Daniels, Imerys Talc America, and others.
Women who used talcum to provide feminine hygiene on sanitary pads or condoms or in the genital region have been diagnosed with mesothelioma and ovarian cancer. The lawsuits assert that J&J knew for more than 40 years that the powder could cause mesothelioma and ovarian cancer, however, they failed to warn consumers of the risk.
The symptoms of mesothelioma are abdominal pain as well as abdominal swelling, abdominal lumps, and persistent coughing. Doctors can diagnose the disease through a physical exam and imaging scans. These could include CT (computer tomography) scans, MRIs and PET or X-rays.
Once a mesothelioma diagnosis is confirmed, patients may undergo chemotherapy, surgery, or radiation. The surgeons can remove the affected tissue based on the location of the tumors. Some patients with mesothelioma have a life expectancy less than five. However, aggressive treatments such as extracorporeal tissue transplantation and cytoreduction using hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy can prolong the duration of survival.
What causes Mesothelioma?
Like most cancers, mesothelioma develops by DNA mutations. These mutations cause the cells to multiply uncontrollably and form tumors in the tissues of the body. Asbestos is the most frequent mesothelioma-related cause. Asbestos exposure can occur in many different 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 those between the ages 50 and 70. The type of asbestos-related mesothelioma that a person 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. Others are diagnosed as having peritoneal msothelioma. This type of mesothelioma 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.
Shortness of breath, fatigue and abdominal pain are all signs of mesothelioma. In the last stages of mesothelioma, the tumors may spread to other parts, causing severe discomfort and discomfort. Other typical symptoms of mesothelioma are fluid on the lung (pleural effusion) and a loss of appetite, difficulty swallowing, and a blockage of the small intestine referred to as a obstruction in the bowel. Mesothelioma can be fatal.
The trial involving talcum powder in Oakland involved a 24-year-old man who developed pericardial mesothelioma from the use of J&J baby powder. His lawyers argued that J&J knew that talc contained asbestos but did not inform customers. They also cited an 1998 letter sent to an J&J executive, revealing the possibility of asbestos being present in their products.
This is the latest in a string of major verdicts against J&J. In March, a jury handed down $18.8 million to a woman who was diagnosed with mesothelioma ovarian from J&J's talcum powder, and last month the jury in Missouri awarded $55 million in a different case that dealt with the same issue. Seven new cases have been added to the MDL talcum-powder in the last month, bringing it to 37,522 the number of lawsuits in the process. The majority of these lawsuits are brought by women who have used J&J talcum powder to maintain their feminine hygiene.
How Can I tell if I have mesothelioma or not?
A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be devastating. Patients should consult a specialist to get the most accurate information available and avoid misdiagnosis that could result in unneeded treatment or allow cancer to grow.
A physical examination and a blood sample can help identify mesothelioma-related symptoms. These tests can be used to look for asbestos fibers in blood or to assess the health of a patient's internal organs. The most precise method to diagnose mesothelioma is taking a biopsy. Doctors remove tissue or fluids from the affected area, and examine them under a microscope for mesothelioma tumor cells.
The type of mesothelioma that a person has also affects the likelihood of a positive outcome. Pleural mesothelioma, that forms in the thin lining around the lung, is the most common form of mesothelioma and makes up the majority of diagnosed cases. Peritoneal cancer that develops in the lining around the abdomen, is a less common type. Lastly, pericardial msothelioma is a rare kind that is found in the lining of the heart. It's only 1% of all cases.
The first signs include breathlessness which gets worse with time, and then coughing up blood. Asbestos patients can also experience fluid accumulation within the chest cavity. This is known as Pleural effusion. The fluid can be drained from the chest cavity by inserting a needle into the affected region. In more severe cases, doctors might perform pleurodesis. This is which is a procedure that seals the space to prevent fluid from accumulating again in the pleura.
A mesothelioma accurate diagnosis is crucial in determining the rate of survival for a patient and treatment options. Treatment options include chemotherapy, surgery and radiation are all options. Other options include immunotherapy, a kind of treatment that increases the immune system to fight mesothelioma tumors and tumor-removing fields, which employ the power of magnets to kill cancerous cells.
A mesothelioma expert can also assist patients in understanding the different mesothelioma cells that determine the severity of the cancer and the patient's outlook. Patients should discuss with their doctor their experience with asbestos exposure to determine if mesothelioma is possible and what treatment options are available.
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 to receive a no-obligation, free case evaluation. We can assist you with bringing mesothelioma lawsuit against J&J to make them accountable for their negligence.
Mesothelioma is a rare, but fatal disease caused by exposure to asbestos. Asbestos was once widely used in a wide range of industrial and consumer products, including baby powder. In top article , plaintiffs claim that exposure to asbestos from inhaling the powder caused them to develop mesothelioma or other health problems.
J&J believed to have known about the risk of talcum powder and asbestos for a long time, but failed to warn consumers. Plaintiffs have filed mesothelioma lawsuits against J&J seeking damages for punitive and compensatory. These lawsuits have been consolidated in state and federal multidistrict lawsuits, or MDLs.
In 2018, one of the first major talc trials resulted in a $4.7 billion settlement for the plaintiff. The news made headlines across the country and set the stage for the rest of the litigation. Last month, a judge denied a request by J&J to dismiss the lawsuits brought by the state of Mississippi.
J&J however, attempted to stop the litigation. The company established an entity that was a subsidiary to take on its talc liability, and LTL Management filed for bankruptcy. The bankruptcy stopped the filing of thousands of talc lawsuits, but the 3rd Circuit rejected that strategy.
The lawsuits brought by the state of Mississippi are based on the same allegations that were a part of the individual lawsuits filed against J&J which allege that the company's failure to warn of 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 lawsuits to a different bankruptcy court. A hearing is scheduled for June to determine whether the lawsuits against J&J will be allowed to proceed. If you or someone close to you has been diagnosed with mesothelioma or another condition which could be the result of talcum powder. You should seek legal counsel immediately. Our experienced lawyers can assist you in obtaining the compensation you deserve.