Mesothelioma Lawyer Files Talc Lawsuit Against Johnson & Johnson
A 24-year-old with pericardial msothelioma claims that Johnson & Johnson baby powder is to blame for his cancer. The Oakland mesothelioma case is the first trial to be held since J&J filed for bankruptcy and spun off its Talc division.
In the spring of this year, jury awards in New Jersey and California led to large settlements in talc-related lawsuits. Plaintiffs linked their cancer to asbestos found in J&J's Shower Baby and Shower Powder products.
What is Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma, which is a fatal form of cancer, affects the mesothelium or the lining surrounding organs and cavities within the body. It is most common in the lungs but can be located in the abdomen and chest cavity. Asbestos is the sole known cause of mesothelioma and those who have been exposed to asbestos are at a higher risk of developing this disease.
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 in the pericardium. He blamed his condition on childhood use of Johnson & Johnson baby powder. The jury awarded him $25 million.
J&J has been accused of obfuscating asbestos-related risks from consumers for a long time. The company has a long tradition of hiding asbestos information from regulators, as well as paying for asbestos tests that did not yield the results they desired. The lawsuits have identified a number of the talcum-powder suppliers for the company such as Whittaker Clark & Daniels, Imerys Talc America, and others.
Women who used talcum for feminine hygiene on sanitary pads or condoms or in the genital area have been diagnosed with mesothelioma and ovarian cancer. The lawsuits assert that J&J knew for more than 40 years that the powder caused ovarian cancer and mesothelioma, but failed to warn customers of the risk.
Mesothelioma symptoms include breathing difficulties, constant coughing fatigue, abdominal pain and lumps or masses on the chest or abdomen. Doctors can diagnose the disease through a physical exam and imaging scans. These may include CT (computer tomography) scans, MRIs and PET or X-rays.
Once a mesothelioma diagnosis is confirmed, patients can undergo chemotherapy, surgery and/or radiation. Depending on the location of their tumors, surgeons may be able to remove the affected tissue. Patients with mesothelioma can be given a life expectancy less than five years, however aggressive treatments like extracorporeal membrane transplant and cytoreduction by hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy may prolong the duration of their survival.
What is the cause of Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma, as with most cancers, is caused by DNA mutations in a cell. These mutations lead to uncontrolled cell growth, which forms tumors in tissues. Lawrence mesothelioma lawyer is a frequent cause mesothelioma. Asbestos exposure is common in a variety of industries, including 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 compared to women. It is also found most often in those between the ages 50 and 70. The type of mesothelioma that a sufferer is usually determined by the part of their body that were exposed to asbestos. The majority of mesothelioma patients are diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma that affects the lung. Others are diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma, a type of mesothelioma that affects the abdomen. In addition, some individuals are diagnosed with pericardial mesothelioma, an extremely 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 last stages of mesothelioma, the tumors can expand to other parts of the body which can cause extreme discomfort and discomfort. Other typical symptoms of mesothelioma are fluid on the lungs (pleural effusion) loss of appetite, difficulty swallowing and a blockage within the small intestine, referred to as a bowel obstruction. Mesothelioma can be fatal.
The talcum-powder trial in Oakland involved a person who was 24 who developed pericardial msothelioma following the use of J&J baby powder. His lawyers argued the company knew that talc contained asbestos but didn't warn customers. They also cited a 1998 letter to an J&J executive that revealed asbestos could be present in their products.
This is the latest in a string 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 the same case. Seven new cases have been added to the MDL talcum-powder over the past month, which brings the total to 37,522 the total number of lawsuits pending. 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 could be devastating. Patients should always seek out a specialist to ensure the most accurate diagnosis and to prevent mistakes that could lead to unneeded treatment and cancer spreading.
A physical exam and a blood test could be an effective way to determine whether mesothelioma has caused symptoms. These tests can check for the presence of asbestos fibers in blood or to assess the way in which the organs of a patient are functioning. The most reliable method to determine if mesothelioma has been detected is through biopsy, which is when doctors remove tissue or fluid from the affected area and then examine it under a microscope in order to look for mesothelioma cells.
The type of mesothelioma that a person is suffering from also affects the likelihood of a positive outcome. Pleural mesothelioma is by far the most common type of the disease and accounts for the majority of cases diagnosed. Peritoneal cancer that develops in the lining surrounding the abdomen is a less well-known form. The pericardial mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer that occurs in the lining of the heart, is much less common and makes up around one percent of cases.
Shortness of breath, which gets worse with time, and a bloody cough are a few of the initial symptoms. Asbestos sufferers may also experience fluid accumulation in 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 perform pleurodesis. This is a procedure which seals the area to stop fluid from accumulating again within the pleura.
A reliable diagnosis of mesothelioma is crucial to determine the patient's survival rate as well as treatment options. Chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation are all options. Other options include immunotherapy, a kind of treatment that increases the immune system to fight mesothelioma cancer cells and tumor-removing fields, which employ the power of magnets to destroy cancerous cells.
A mesothelioma specialist may also help patients understand different mesothelioma cells that determine the extent of the cancer as well as the outlook of the patient. Patients should discuss their history of exposure to asbestos with their physician to determine if they are mesothelioma candidates and learn about the various types of treatment are available to them.
How Can I get help?
If you have used Johnson & Johnson talcum and you developed an ovarian disease or another like mesothelioma as a result of using the talcum powder, you may be entitled to a substantial amount of compensation. Contact us today for an absolutely free consultation. We can help you file mesothelioma claims against J&J and make J&J accountable for their negligence.
Mesothelioma is an extremely rare and fatal condition caused by asbestos exposure, is a rare disease. Asbestos was once used extensively in a range of consumer and industrial products, including baby powder. Plaintiffs in talcum powder lawsuits claim that inhaling talcum powder caused to their asbestos exposure which led to mesothelioma and various other health issues.
J&J believed to have known about the risk of talcum powder and asbestos for decades, but did not warn consumers. Plaintiffs have filed lawsuits seeking punitive damages as well as compensatory damages against J&J. These lawsuits have been consolidated in federal and state multidistrict litigations, or MDLs.
In 2018, one of the largest talc cases led to a $4.7 billion verdict in the favor of the plaintiff. This was a major news story and set the tone for the remainder of the litigation. In the last month, a judge denied J&J's request to dismiss the lawsuits brought by the state.
However, in an attempt to derail the litigation, J&J tried again. LTL Management, a subsidiary of J&J has filed for bankruptcy after the company created a new entity to assume its liabilities. The bankruptcy was able to halt thousands of talc lawsuits but the 3rd Circuit rejected this strategy.
The lawsuits brought by Mississippi are based on the same allegations of the individual lawsuits brought against J&J. They allege that the company was negligent in not warning of the risk of ovarian carcinoma from talcum powder and that this was an infraction of the law of the state.
J&J has submitted its motion to dismiss lawsuits before a different bankruptcy court. A hearing is scheduled for June in order to determine if the lawsuits against J&J are able to be pursued. If you or someone around you has been diagnosed with mesothelioma or another condition which could have been caused talcum powder. You should seek legal advice as soon as possible. Our lawyers are experienced and can help you receive the compensation you deserve.