Mesothelioma Lawyer Files Talc Lawsuit Against Johnson & Johnson
A 24-year-old with pericardial msothelioma claims that Johnson & Johnson baby powder is responsible for his cancer. The Oakland mesothelioma trial is the first trial to take place since J&J has dissolved its Talc business and filed for bankruptcy.
In the beginning of this year, large settlements were reached in talc cases in New Jersey and California. Plaintiffs blamed their cancer on asbestos in J&J's Shower Shower and Baby Powder products.
What is Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma, a deadly type of cancer is a disease of the mesothelium lining around organs and cavities in the body. It is most often found in the lungs, however it can also be found in the abdomen, the heart, chest cavity and testicles. Asbestos is the most well-known cause of mesothelioma, and people who have been exposed to asbestos are at a higher risk of developing this disease.
The first trial after J&J declared bankruptcy over its talcum powder division opened in Oakland, California this week. Jurors were inspired 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 reason for his illness to his use of Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder. The jury awarded him $26 million.
J&J has been accused of concealing asbestos risks from consumers for a number of years. 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 and include Whittaker, Clark & Daniels and Imerys Talc America.
Many women who used talcum powder to maintain feminine hygiene in the genital region or on sanitary napkins, or condoms have gotten ovarian cancer, and some have been diagnosed with mesothelioma. The lawsuits claim that J&J was aware for more than 40 years that the powder could cause ovarian cancer as well as other illnesses, but failed to warn consumers.
Mesothelioma symptoms include abdominal pain and abdominal swelling, abdominal lumps and a persistent cough. Doctors can diagnose the condition through a physical exam and imaging scans. They can include CT (computer tomography) scans, MRIs and PET or X-rays.
If mesothelioma has been diagnosed patients may undergo chemotherapy, surgery, and/or radiotherapy. Depending on the site of their tumors, surgeons may be able to remove the affected tissue. Patients with mesothelioma are sometimes given a life expectancy less than five years. However, aggressive treatments such as extracorporeal Membrane transplant and cytoreduction by hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy can prolong survival.
What causes Mesothelioma?
Like all cancers, mesothelioma is caused when a cell's DNA experiences mutations. These mutations cause uncontrolled cell growth, which creates tumors in the tissues. Asbestos is the leading mesothelioma-related cause. Asbestos exposure is common in a variety of industries such as mining, manufacturing and transportation. Asbestos exposure usually occurs between in the 20 to 40 years preceding symptoms develop. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than females. It is also found most often in people between the ages of 50 and 70. The kind of mesothelioma involving asbestos that a person develops is often determined by the location on their body they were exposed. Most mesothelioma patients are diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma that affects the lung. Others are diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma, which is a mesothelioma type that affects the abdomen. Additionally, some patients are diagnosed with pericardial melanoma, the most rare form of the disease that affects the heart's lining (pericardium) and the organ itself.
The symptoms of mesothelioma are fatigue, breathlessness and abdominal pain, as well as weight loss. In the latter stages of mesothelioma, the tumors may expand to other parts of the body which can cause extreme discomfort and pain. Other common symptoms of mesothelioma include swelling of the lung (pleural effusion) loss of appetite, difficulty swallowing, and a blockage of the small intestine referred to as a obstruction of the bowel. Mesothelioma can be fatal.
The trial involving talcum powder in Oakland involved a man aged 24 who developed pericardial mesothelioma from the use of J&J baby powder. His lawyers argued that J&J knew that talc contained asbestos, but didn't warn customers. They also cited a 1998 letter to a J&J executive which revealed asbestos could be present in their products.
This is just the latest in a long line of high-dollar verdicts against J&J. In March, J&J's Talcum powder caused ovarian mesothelioma in one woman. Last month, another jury in Missouri awarded $55 Million in an identical case. Seven new cases have been added to the MDL talcum-powder in the last month, which brings the total to 37,522 the total number of pending suits. Most of these lawsuits were brought by women who have used J&J talcum powder to maintain feminine hygiene.
How Do I Know if I Have Mesothelioma?
A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be devastating. Patients should consult an expert to obtain the most accurate information available and prevent misdiagnosis that could lead to unnecessary treatment and let cancer spread more.
A physical exam and a blood test is an excellent way to determine whether mesothelioma has caused symptoms. These tests can be used to test for asbestos fibers in blood or the health of the patient's internal organs. The most accurate way to diagnose mesothelioma is by a biopsy, where doctors remove fluid or tissue from the affected area and examine it under a microscope in order to look for mesothelioma cells.
The type of mesothelioma that a sufferer has also impacts the prognosis of their patient. Pleural mesothelioma is the most prevalent type of disease and is responsible for the majority of cases that are diagnosed. Peritoneal mesothelioma, a cancer that is found 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 more rare and only accounts for about 1percent of cases.
bloomington mesothelioma attorneys is short, and gets worse with time, and a bloody cough 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 removed by inserting a needle into the affected area of the chest cavity. In more serious cases, doctors can perform a procedure called pleurodesis, which seals the area to prevent reaccumulation of fluid in the pleura.
Making sure that mesothelioma is diagnosed correctly is the most reliable way to determine the patient's treatment options and the survival rate. Chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation are all options. There are also immunotherapy treatments that increases the immune system to fight mesothelioma and tumor treating fields that use the power of magnets to kill cancerous cells.
A specialized mesothelioma specialist can also assist patients in understanding the different mesothelioma cells, which determine how aggressive the cancer is and what the prognosis of the patient is. Patients should discuss their history of asbestos exposure with their physician to determine if they are mesothelioma-related and find out what types of treatment might be available to them.
How Can I Get Help?
If you have used Johnson & Johnson talcum powder and have been diagnosed with ovarian cancer or a different illness such as mesothelioma, you could be entitled to significant compensation. Contact us today to receive a no-obligation, free assessment of your case. We can assist you with filing mesothelioma lawsuits against J&J and make J&J accountable for their negligence.
Mesothelioma is a rare but fatal disease that is caused by exposure to asbestos. Asbestos was widely utilized in a variety of industrial and consumer products like 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 issues.
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 mesothelioma lawsuits against the firm seeking compensatory and punitive damages. These lawsuits have been consolidated in federal and state multidistrict lawsuits, or MDLs.
In 2018, one of the first major Talc trials ended in an $4.7 billion settlement for the plaintiff. This was a major news story and set the stage 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, filed for bankruptcy after the company incorporated an entity that would take on its liabilities. The bankruptcy stopped thousands of talc suits, however, the 3rd Circuit rejected that strategy.
The lawsuits filed by the state of Mississippi are founded 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 about the risks of ovarian cancer from the talcum powder was negligent and was a violation of 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 are able to continue. If you or someone around you has been diagnosed with mesothelioma or any other condition that could have been caused by talcum powder. You should seek legal counsel immediately. Our experienced lawyers will assist you in getting the compensation you deserve.