Mesothelioma Lawyer Files Talc Lawsuit Against Johnson & Johnson
A 24-year-old man with mesothelioma of the pericardium has claimed that Johnson & Johnson's baby powder caused his cancer. The Oakland mesothelioma case is the first trial that has been held since J&J filed for bankruptcy and split off its talc division.
In the early part of this year, large settlements were made in talc suits in New Jersey and California. Plaintiffs attributed their cancer to asbestos in J&J's Shower Shower and Baby Powder products.
What is Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is a deadly type of cancer that affects mesothelium or lining that surrounds organs and body cavities. It is usually found in the lungs but it can also be found in the abdomen, the heart and chest cavity as well as testicles. Asbestos is the most well-known mesothelioma causing agent, and people who have been exposed to asbestos are at greater risk of developing this disease.
The first trial since J&J declared its Talcum Powder division bankrupt was opened this week and jurors in Oakland, California were emotional when they heard the plaintiff's story. The plaintiff, who is only 24 years old was diagnosed with malignant pericardial mesothelioma in 2022. The plaintiff attributed his condition to the use of Johnson & Johnson baby powder. The jury awarded him $25 million.
J&J has been accused of hiding asbestos risks from the public for a number of years. The company has a long track record of keeping asbestos information from regulators, and paying for asbestos tests that did not yield the results they wanted. Several of the company's talcum powder suppliers have been named in these lawsuits which include Whittaker, Clark & Daniels and Imerys Talc America.
Women who used talcum to provide feminine hygiene on pads or condoms, or in the genital region have been diagnosed with mesothelioma and ovarian cancer. The lawsuits claim that J&J was aware for more than 40 years that the powder could cause ovarian cancer and other illnesses, but failed to warn consumers.
Mesothelioma symptoms include breathing difficulties, constant coughing abdominal pain, fatigue and lumps or masses on the abdomen or chest. Doctors can diagnose the condition by a physical examination and imaging scans. These include CT scans (computer tomography), MRIs, PET or X rays.
If a mesothelioma diagnosis has been confirmed, patients may undergo surgery, chemotherapy and/or radiation. The surgeons are able to remove the affected tissue, based on the location of the tumors. Patients with mesothelioma may be given a life expectancy less than five years. However, aggressive treatments such as extracorporeal membrane transplant and cytoreduction with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy may prolong the duration of their survival.
What Causes Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that is caused by DNA mutations within a cell. The mutations cause the cells to multiply uncontrollably and develop tumors in tissues of the body. Asbestos is a common cause mesothelioma. Asbestos exposure can occur in a variety of industries, including mining, manufacturing and transportation. Asbestos exposure usually occurs between 20 to 40 years before symptoms appear. Mesothelioma affects men more than women, and is usually diagnosed in people in their 50s to 70s. The type of mesothelioma that a sufferer is usually determined by the part of their body that were exposed to asbestos. Most people with mesothelioma are diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma which affects the lungs. Some are diagnosed with peritoneal msothelioma. This kind of mesothelioma affects the abdomen. Additionally, some patients are diagnosed with pericardial mesothelioma, the most rare form of the disease that affects the heart's lining (pericardium) and the organ itself.
Insomnia as well as abdominal pain and fatigue are all symptoms of mesothelioma. In the later stages of mesothelioma, the tumors may grow to other areas, causing severe discomfort and pain. Other typical symptoms of mesothelioma include fluid on the lung (pleural effusion) loss of appetite, difficulties swallowing, and a blockage of the small intestine referred to as a obstruction in the bowel. Mesothelioma can be fatal.
The talcum powder trial in Oakland involved a man of 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 letter from 1998 to a J&J executive which revealed asbestos could be present in their products.
This is 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 March, a jury in Missouri awarded $55 million in the same case. Seven new cases have been added to the MDL talcum-powder over the past month, bringing to 37,522 the number of lawsuits pending. Most of these lawsuits are filed 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 may be devastating. Patients must always consult a doctor for the most precise diagnosis and to avoid mistakes that could lead to unnecessary treatment and spread of cancer.
A physical exam and blood sample can help identify mesothelioma signs. These tests can be used to test for asbestos fibers in blood or to assess the health of the patient's internal organs. The most reliable 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 search for mesothelioma cancer cells.
The type of mesothelioma that 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 diagnosed cases. Peritoneal mesothelioma, which is a cancer that is found in the lining of the abdomen is less prevalent. The pericardial msothelioma, in turn, is a rare kind that is found in the lining of the heart. It's only 1percent of all cases.
Some of the first symptoms include a shortness of breath which gets worse with time and a coughing up of blood. Asbestos patients can also experience fluid accumulation within the chest cavity. This is known as pleural effusion. It can be removed by inserting a needle in the affected area of the chest cavity. In more severe cases, doctors might use a procedure known as pleurodesis to close the space to stop the reaccumulation of fluid in the pleura.
A mesothelioma accurate diagnosis is crucial in determining a patient's survival rate and treatment options. Treatment options include chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation are all options. Other options include immunotherapy which increases the immune system to fight mesothelioma and cancer treating fields that employ magnetic fields to kill cancerous cells.
A mesothelioma expert can also assist patients in understanding the various mesothelioma cell types, which determine the extent of the cancer and the outlook for patients. Patients should discuss their experience of exposure to asbestos with their doctor to determine if they are mesothelioma-related and discover what kinds of treatment options 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 or other cancers, you could be eligible for substantial compensation. Contact us today to receive an obligation-free, no-cost case evaluation. We can help you bring a mesothelioma suit against J&J to make them accountable for their negligence.
Mesothelioma, an extremely rare and fatal condition caused by asbestos exposure, is a rare disease. Asbestos was once used extensively in a wide range of consumer and industrial products including baby powder. The plaintiffs in talcum powder cases claim that inhaling talcum powder contributed to their exposure to asbestos, which contributed to mesothelioma as well as other health issues.
J&J allegedly knew about the risk of asbestos and talcum powder for decades, but did not warn consumers. Plaintiffs have filed mesothelioma lawsuits against the firm seeking punitive and compensatory damages. These lawsuits have been consolidated in federal and state multidistrict lawsuits, also known as MDLs.
In 2018, one of the largest Talc trials ended in a $4.7 billion verdict for the plaintiff. This was a major news story and set the stage for the rest of the year. Longview mesothelioma lawsuits , a court denied J&J's motion to dismiss the lawsuits filed by the state.
J&J however, attempted to stop the litigation. LTL Management, a subsidiary of J&J was forced to file for bankruptcy after the company created an entity to take over its obligations. The bankruptcy stayed the talc lawsuits of thousands, however, the 3rd Circuit rejected this strategy.
The lawsuits filed by Mississippi are based upon the same allegations that are in the background of the individual lawsuits filed against J&J. They allege that the company acted negligently in failing to warn consumers of the possibility of ovarian carcinoma due to talcum-powder, and that this constituted an infraction of the law of the state.
J&J has submitted its motion to dismiss lawsuits to a different bankruptcy court. A hearing is scheduled for June in order to determine whether the lawsuits against J&J will be allowed to move forward. If you or someone near you has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, or another condition that could have been caused talcum powder. You should seek legal advice as soon as possible. Our experienced attorneys will assist you in getting the compensation you deserve.