Mesothelioma Lawyer Files Talc Lawsuit Against Johnson & Johnson
A man who is 24 years old and has mesothelioma of the pericardium has claimed that Johnson & Johnson's baby powder caused his cancer. The Oakland mesothelioma trial is the first trial to take place since J&J spun off its talc business and filed for bankruptcy.
This year, juries awards in New Jersey and California led to big settlements in talc-related lawsuits. Plaintiffs have linked cancer to asbestos in J&J products Shower to Shower and baby powder.
What is Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma can be a deadly form of cancer that affects the mesothelium or lining that surrounds organs and body cavities. It is most prevalent in the lungs, but it can also be found in the chest and abdomen cavity. Asbestos, the sole known cause of this disease is asbestos. People who have been exposed to asbestos are at an increased risk of developing it.
The first trial since J&J declared its Talcum Powder division bankrupt began this week and jurors in Oakland, California were emotional as they heard the testimony 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 of pericardium. He blamed the reason for his illness to his childhood use Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder. The jury awarded him $25 million.
J&J has been accused of obfuscating asbestos risks from the public for decades. The company has a long history of concealing asbestos-related information from regulators, and even paying for asbestos tests that gave the results they desired. These lawsuits have named several of the company's suppliers of talcum powder which include Whittaker Clark & Daniels, Imerys Talc America, and others.
Many women who used talcum powder for feminine hygiene in the genital areas or on sanitary napkins, or condoms have been diagnosed with cancer of the ovary, and a few have been diagnosed with mesothelioma. The lawsuits assert that J&J knew for more than 40 years that the powder caused mesothelioma and ovarian cancer, but failed to warn customers of this danger.
Symptoms of mesothelioma include abdominal pain as well as abdominal lumps, abdominal swelling, and persistent coughing. Doctors can diagnose the disease by a physical examination and imaging scans. These include CT scans (computer tomography), MRIs, PET or X-rays.
When mesothelioma is discovered patients can undergo surgery, chemotherapy, or radiotherapy. The surgeons are able to remove the affected tissue based on the location of the tumors. Certain patients with mesothelioma have a life expectancy lower than five. However, aggressive treatments such as extracorporeal tissue transplantation or the cytoreduction process using hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy can prolong the duration of survival.
What causes Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma, as with most cancers, is caused by DNA changes in a cell. These mutations cause uncontrolled cell growth that causes tumors to form in tissues. Asbestos is a common cause of mesothelioma. Asbestos exposure can occur in a variety of fields such as mining, manufacturing, construction and transportation. Asbestos exposure typically occurs 20 to 40 years before symptoms develop. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than females. It is also most often diagnosed in those between the ages of 50 and 70. The type of mesothelioma that a person gets is often determined by the part of their body in which they were exposed to asbestos. Most mesothelioma patients are diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma which affects the lung. Some are diagnosed with peritoneal melanoma, one type of mesothelioma which affects the abdomen. Some people are diagnosed with pericardial msothelioma. This is a rare form of disease that affects both the inner lining (pericardium), and the organ itself.
The symptoms of mesothelioma are fatigue, shortness of breath abdominal pain and weight loss. In the final stages of mesothelioma tumors may spread to other areas of the body, which can cause 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 bowel obstruction. Mesothelioma can be fatal.
The trial involving talcum powder in Oakland involved a man of 24 who was diagnosed with pericardial cancer due to the use of J&J baby powder. His lawyers argued that J&J knew that talc contained asbestos and didn't warn consumers. They also cited a 1998 letter to a J&J executive that highlighted asbestos could be present in their products.
This is the latest in a series of major verdicts against J&J. In March the jury handed down $18.8 million to a woman who contracted mesothelioma ovarian from J&J's talcum powder. Last month, a jury in Missouri awarded $55 million in a separate case that dealt with the same issue. Seven new cases have been added to the MDL talcum-powder over the past month, bringing it to 37,522 the total number of lawsuits pending. The majority of these lawsuits concern women who have used J&J's talcum powder for feminine hygiene reasons.
How Can I tell if I have mesothelioma or not?
A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be devastating. Patients should always consult a specialist for the most precise diagnosis and to avoid mistakes that could lead to unneeded treatment and spread of cancer.
A physical exam and blood sample can aid in identifying mesothelioma symptoms. These tests can be used to test for asbestos fibers in blood, or the health of the patient's internal organs. The most precise method to determine if mesothelioma has been detected is through 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 sufferers have can affect his or her prognosis. Pleural mesothelioma, the most commonly encountered type of disease and accounts for the majority of cases that are diagnosed. Peritoneal cancer, which develops in the lining of the abdomen, is a less common type. In addition, pericardial mesothelioma which is an uncommon type that develops in the lining of the heart, is much rarer and only makes up around 1percent of cases.
Shortness of breath, which becomes worse over time, and bloody coughing are a few of the initial symptoms. Asbestos sufferers can also experience fluid accumulation in the chest cavity, a condition called pleural effusion. The fluid can be removed from the chest cavity by inserting a needle into the area affected. In more severe cases, doctors might undergo a procedure called pleurodesis to close the space to stop the reaccumulation of fluid in the pleura.
A precise diagnosis of mesothelioma is crucial in determining a patient's survival rate and treatment options. Surgery, chemotherapy and radiation are all options. Other options include immunotherapy. It is a form of treatment that enhances the immune system to fight mesothelioma cells and tumor-removing fields, which uses the power of magnets to destroy cancerous cells.
A mesothelioma specialist can assist patients in understanding different mesothelioma types, which determine the extent of the cancer as well as the patient's outlook. Patients should discuss their experience of asbestos exposure with their physician to determine if they are mesothelioma-related and learn about the various types of treatment might be available to them.
How Can I Get Help?
If you've used Johnson & Johnson talcum and developed ovarian or other illnesses like mesothelioma as a result of using the talcum powder, you could be entitled to a substantial amount of compensation. Contact us today to receive a no-cost, no obligation case evaluation. We can assist you in bringing mesothelioma suits against J&J to ensure that they are held accountable for their negligence.
Mesothelioma, an uncommon and fatal illness caused by asbestos exposure, is a rare condition. Asbestos was used in many industrial and consumer products like baby powder. In talcum powder cases, plaintiffs claim that exposure to asbestos from inhaling the powder caused them to develop mesothelioma, or other health issues.
J&J did not warn the public about the dangers of talcum and asbestos, despite knowing them for decades. Plaintiffs have filed mesothelioma lawsuits against J&J seeking compensatory and punitive damages. These lawsuits have been consolidated in federal and state multidistrict lawsuits, also known as MDLs.
In suffolk mesothelioma lawsuit , one of the first large Talc trials ended in an $4.7 billion settlement for the plaintiff. This was a national news story that set the tone for the rest. Last month, a court denied J&J's request to dismiss the lawsuits brought by the state.
However, in an attempt to halt the lawsuit, J&J tried again. The company created an entity that was a subsidiary to assume its talc liabilities and LTL Management filed for bankruptcy. The bankruptcy stopped thousands of talc lawsuits, however, the 3rd Circuit rejected this strategy.
The lawsuits brought by the state of Mississippi are built on the same allegations as the individual lawsuits brought against J&J: that the company's failure to warn consumers about the dangers of ovarian cancer caused by the talcum powder was negligent and violated the law of the state.
J&J has filed a motion to dismiss lawsuits to another bankruptcy court. A hearing is scheduled for June in order to determine if the lawsuits against J&J can be pursued. If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with mesothelioma or other disease that could have been caused by talcum powder, you should seek legal representation immediately. Our experienced lawyers can assist you in obtaining the compensation you're entitled to.