Mesothelioma Lawyer Files Talc Lawsuit Against Johnson & Johnson
A 24-year-old with pericardial msothelioma claims that Johnson & Johnson baby powder is the cause of his cancer. The Oakland mesothelioma trial is the first trial to be held since J&J filed for bankruptcy and spun off its talc division.
This year, juries awards in New Jersey and California led to massive settlements in talc-related lawsuits. Plaintiffs blamed their cancer on asbestos in J&J's Shower Baby and Shower Powder products.
What is Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is a lethal form of cancer, affects the mesothelium or the lining that surrounds organs and cavities within the body. It is most prevalent in the lungs, but it can be located in the chest and abdomen cavity. Asbestos is the sole known mesothelioma-related cause and those who have been exposed to asbestos are at a higher risk of developing this disease.
The first trial after J&J declared bankruptcy on its talcum powder division began in Oakland, California this week. Jurors were inspired 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 of the pericardium. He blamed his condition on the use of Johnson & Johnson baby powder. The jury awarded him $26 million.
J&J has been accused of concealing asbestos-related risks from consumers for decades. The company has a long tradition of concealing asbestos-related information from regulators, as well as paying for asbestos tests that did not yield 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 other companies.
Women who used talcum to provide feminine hygiene, such as sanitary pads or condoms or in the genital area have developed ovarian and mesothelioma. The lawsuits assert that J&J knew for more than 40 years that using the powder could cause ovarian cancer and mesothelioma, but did not warn consumers of the risk.
Mesothelioma symptoms include abdominal pain and abdominal swelling, abdominal lumps, and persistent coughing. Doctors can diagnose mesothelioma through an examination and imaging scans. These may include CT (computer tomography) scans, MRIs and PET or X-rays.
When a mesothelioma diagnosis is confirmed, patients may undergo chemotherapy, surgery and/or radiation. Depending on the location of their tumors, surgeons may be able remove the affected tissue. Some patients with mesothelioma have a lifespan less than five. However aggressive treatments like extracorporeal tissue transplantation and the cytoreduction process using hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy can prolong the duration of survival.
What is the cause of Mesothelioma?
Like most cancers, mesothelioma occurs by DNA mutations. The mutations cause the cells to multiply rapidly, forming tumors in the tissues of the body. Clovis mesothelioma attorneys is the most frequent mesothelioma-related cause. Asbestos exposure can occur in many different industries, including manufacturing, mining construction, and transportation. Asbestos is typically exposed between 20 and 40 years prior to symptoms appearing. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma compared to women. It is also found most often among those between the ages 50 and 70. The type of mesothelioma that a sufferer is usually determined by the part of their body where they were exposed to asbestos. Most people with mesothelioma are diagnosed with pleural melanoma, which affects the lungs. Other patients are diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma. This kind of mesothelioma is affecting the abdomen. In addition, some individuals are diagnosed with pericardial mesothelioma. It is an extremely rare type of the disease that affects the heart's lining (pericardium) and the organ itself.
Symptoms of mesothelioma include fatigue, breathlessness, abdominal pain and weight loss. In the latter stages of mesothelioma, tumors can grow to other areas that cause severe discomfort and pain. Other signs of mesothelioma can include fluid in the lungs, nausea, difficulty eating and swallowing. Mesothelioma is a debilitating illness, and it is often fatal.
The talcum powder trial in Oakland involved a man aged 24 who was diagnosed with pericardial cancer due to the use of J&J baby powder. His lawyers claimed that J&J knew talc could contain asbestos, but did not warn consumers about it. They also cited a 1998 letter to an J&J executive which revealed asbestos could be present in their products.
This is the latest in a series of large verdicts against J&J. In March, J&J's Talcum Powder caused ovarian mesothelioma in a woman. In the same month, a jury in Missouri awarded $55 Million in an identical case. In addition, seven cases were added to the powder's MDL over the last month which brought the number of lawsuits pending to 37,522. The majority of these lawsuits are filed by women who 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 always consult an expert to obtain the most accurate information possible and avoid misdiagnosis that could result in unneeded treatment and allow cancer to expand further.
A physical exam and a blood test could be an excellent way to determine whether mesothelioma may be causing symptoms. These tests can be used to look for asbestos fibers in blood, or the health of a patient's internal organs. The most accurate way to diagnose mesothelioma is by biopsy, which is when doctors remove tissue or fluid from the affected area and examine the area under a microscope to look for mesothelioma cells.
The type of mesothelioma a person is suffering from also affects the likelihood of a positive outcome. Pleural mesothelioma is the most commonly encountered type of disease and accounts for the majority of cases that are diagnosed. Peritoneal cancer, which forms in the lining of the abdomen is a less well-known type. Lastly, pericardial msothelioma is a rare form of cancer that occurs in the lining the heart. It's only 1percent of all cases.
The first signs include breathlessness that gets worse over time, and then coughing up blood. Asbestos sufferers may also experience fluid accumulation within 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 severe cases, doctors may perform a procedure called pleurodesis to seal the space to stop the reaccumulation of fluid in the pleura.
Getting an accurate mesothelioma diagnosis is the most reliable way to determine a patient's treatment options and survival rate. There are a variety of treatments available which include chemotherapy, surgery and radiation. Other options include immunotherapy, a form of treatment that enhances the immune system to fight mesothelioma cancer cells and tumor-targeting fields, which employ the power of magnets to destroy cancerous cells.
A mesothelioma specialist can help patients understand different mesothelioma cells, which determine the extent of the cancer and the patient's outlook. Patients should discuss with their physician their experiences with asbestos exposure to determine whether mesothelioma is a possibility and what treatment options are available.
How Can I get help?
If you've used Johnson & Johnson talcum and you developed an ovarian disease or another like mesothelioma after using the powder, you may be eligible for significant compensation. Contact us today to receive an obligation-free, no-cost consultation. We can help you file a mesothelioma lawsuit against J&J and hold them accountable for their actions.
Mesothelioma, a rare and fatal disease caused by asbestos exposure, is a rare disease. Asbestos was a time when it was widely used in a range of industrial and consumer products including baby powder. Plaintiffs in talcum powder cases claim that inhaling talcum powder caused to their exposure to asbestos and subsequently mesothelioma and other health problems.
J&J allegedly knew about the risk of asbestos and talcum powder for decades, but did not warn consumers. Plaintiffs have filed lawsuits seeking punitive damages and compensatory damages against the company. These claims have been amalgamated into federal and state multidistrict litigations, or MDLs.
In 2018, one of the largest Talc trials ended in an $4.7 billion settlement for the plaintiff. This made national headlines and set a tone for the remainder of the litigation. In the last month, a judge denied J&J's motion to dismiss the lawsuits filed by the state.
However, in an effort to halt the litigation, J&J tried again. The company set up an additional subsidiary entity to assume its talc liabilities, and LTL Management filed for bankruptcy. The bankruptcy ended hundreds of talc suits but the 3rd Circuit rejected that strategy.
The lawsuits filed by the state of Mississippi are based on the same allegations as the individual lawsuits against J&J which allege that the company's inability to warn consumers about the dangers of ovarian cancer from talcum powder was negligent and constituted violations of the law of the state.
J&J has submitted its motion to dismiss the lawsuits to a different bankruptcy court. A hearing has been scheduled for June in order to determine whether the lawsuits against J&J will be allowed to move forward. If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with a mesothelioma or other disease which could be caused by talcum powder you should seek legal advice immediately. Our skilled lawyers can assist you in obtaining the compensation you're entitled to.