Mesothelioma Lawyer Files Talc Lawsuit Against Johnson & Johnson
A man who is 24 years old and has pericardial mesotheliom claims that Johnson & Johnson baby powder is responsible for his cancer. The Oakland mesothelioma case marks the first trial that has been held since J&J filed for bankruptcy and split off its Talc division.
In the beginning of the year, huge settlements were made in talc cases in New Jersey and California. Plaintiffs attributed their cancer to asbestos found in J&J's Shower Baby and Shower Powder products.
What is Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is a fatal form of cancer that affects mesothelium or lining that surrounds organs and body cavities. It is most often found in the lungs, but it can also be found in the abdomen, heart, chest cavity and testicles. Asbestos is the most well-known mesothelioma-related cause, and people who have been exposed to asbestos are at a greater risk of developing this disease.
The first trial after J&J declared bankruptcy on its talcum-powder division opened in Oakland, California this week. Jurors were moved 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 of pericardium. He blamed the reason for his illness to his childhood use Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder. The jury awarded him $26 million.
J&J has been accused of obfuscating asbestos risks from consumers for a long time. The company has a long tradition of keeping asbestos information from regulators, and even paying for asbestos tests that gave the results they desired. These lawsuits have named several of the talcum-powder suppliers for the company which include Whittaker Clark & Daniels, Imerys Talc America, and other companies.
Some women who used talcum for feminine hygiene on pads or condoms or in the genital area have developed ovarian and mesothelioma. The lawsuits claim that J&J was aware for more than 40 years that the powder could trigger ovarian cancer and other illnesses, but failed to warn consumers.
Mesothelioma symptoms include difficulty breathing, persistent coughing and fatigue, abdominal pain and lumps or masses on the chest or abdomen. Doctors can diagnose mesothelioma by a physical exam and imaging scans. These may include CT (computer tomography) scans, MRIs and PET or X-rays.
After a mesothelioma is diagnosed, patients can undergo surgery, chemotherapy, and/or radiotherapy. The surgeons can remove affected tissue based on the location of the tumors. Certain patients with mesothelioma have a lifespan less than five. However aggressive treatments like extracorporeal transplantation of tissue and chemotherapy for cytoreduction that uses hyperthermic intraperitoneal therapy can prolong survival.
What Causes Mesothelioma?
Like most cancers, mesothelioma develops when a cell's DNA experiences mutations. These mutations lead to uncontrolled cell growth, which creates tumors in the tissues. North Las Vegas mesothelioma attorneys is the leading mesothelioma cause. Asbestos exposure can occur in a variety of industries, including manufacturing, mining, and transportation. Asbestos exposure is typically seen 20 to 40 years before symptoms develop. Mesothelioma is more common in males than women, and is usually diagnosed in people who are in their 50s to 70s. The type of asbestos-related mesothelioma that a person develops is usually determined by the location on their body they were exposed. The majority of mesothelioma patients are diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma that affects the lung. Some are diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma. This kind of mesothelioma affects the abdomen. Some people are diagnosed with pericardial msothelioma. This is a rare form of the disease which affects both the inner lining (pericardium), and the organ itself.
Mesothelioma symptoms include fatigue, shortness of breath, abdominal pain and weight loss. In the later stages of mesothelioma, the tumors can spread to other areas of the body causing severe discomfort and pain. Other typical symptoms of mesothelioma are 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 person who was 24 years old who developed pericardial msothelioma following the use of J&J baby powder. His lawyers argued that J&J knew that talc might contain asbestos, but did not warn consumers about it. They also cited a 1998 letter addressed to a J&J executive revealing the possibility of asbestos in their products.
This is only the latest in a series of high-dollar verdicts against J&J. In March the jury awarded $18.8 million to a woman who developed mesothelioma of the ovarian tract from J&J's powder. Last month, a jury in Missouri awarded $55 million in another case involving the same issue. Seven new cases have been added to the MDL talcum-powder over the past month, which brings the total to 37,522 the number of pending suits. Most 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 or not?
A diagnosis of mesothelioma may be devastating. Patients should always seek out a specialist to get the most precise diagnosis and to avoid misdiagnosis, which could lead to unnecessary treatment and the spread of cancer.
A physical examination and a blood sample can help to identify mesothelioma-related symptoms. These tests can detect the presence of asbestos fibers in the blood or to assess the extent to which a patient's organs are functioning. 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 the area under a microscope to detect mesothelioma-related cells.
The type of mesothelioma that sufferers have can influence their prognosis. Pleural mesothelioma, the most prevalent type of disease and accounts for the majority of cases that are diagnosed. Peritoneal cancer that develops in the lining of the abdomen, is a less common form. In addition, pericardial mesothelioma which is an uncommon type that develops in the heart's lining is much rarer and only makes up about one percent of cases.
Shortness of breath, which is more severe with time, and a bloody cough are some of the first symptoms. Asbestos patients can also experience fluid accumulation within the chest cavity. This condition is called pleural effusion. The fluid can be eliminated from the chest cavity by inserting a needle into the affected area. In more severe cases, doctors might perform a procedure called pleurodesis to close the space to stop the reaccumulation of fluid in the pleura.
A precise diagnosis of mesothelioma is crucial to determine the patient's survival rate as well as treatment options. Treatment options include chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation are all options. Other options include immunotherapy, which is a type of treatment that boosts the immune system to fight mesothelioma tumors, and tumor treating fields, which use the power of magnets to destroy cancerous cells.
A mesothelioma specialist may also assist patients in understanding different mesothelioma cells which determine the severity of the cancer and the patient's outlook. Patients should discuss their history of exposure to asbestos with their physician to determine if they're mesothelioma candidates and learn about the various types of treatment options are available to them.
How Can I get help?
If you've used Johnson & Johnson talcum and suffered from ovarian or other diseases like mesothelioma after using the powder, you could be eligible for significant compensation. Contact us now for a no-cost, non- obligation case evaluation. We can assist you with filing mesothelioma claims against J&J and make J&J accountable for their negligence.
Mesothelioma is a rare, but fatal disease that is caused by asbestos exposure. Asbestos was widely used in many industrial and consumer products, including baby powder. The plaintiffs in talcum powder cases claim that inhaling talcum powder caused to asbestos exposure which led to mesothelioma as well as other health issues.
J&J did not inform the public about the dangers of asbestos and talcum even though they had been aware of their dangers for decades. Plaintiffs have filed mesothelioma lawsuits against J&J seeking compensatory and punitive damages. These lawsuits have been consolidated into state and federal multidistrict litigations or MDLs.
In 2018, one of the largest Talc trials ended in a $4.7 billion verdict for the plaintiff. This was a national news story and set the tone for the rest of the year. Last month, a court denied J&J's motion to dismiss the lawsuits filed by the state.
J&J however, attempted again to halt the litigation. The company set up a new subsidiary entity to take on its talc liability, and LTL Management filed for bankruptcy. The bankruptcy stopped hundreds of talc suits however, the 3rd Circuit rejected that strategy.
The lawsuits brought by the state of Mississippi are founded on the same allegations as the individual lawsuits against J&J: that the company's failure to warn about the risks of ovarian cancer resulting from talcum powder was negligent, and constituted violations of state law.
J&J has submitted its motion to dismiss the 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 proceed. If you or someone around you has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, or another condition that could have been caused talcum powder. You should seek legal counsel immediately. Our experienced lawyers can assist you in obtaining the compensation you're entitled to.