Mesothelioma Lawyer Files Talc Lawsuit Against Johnson & Johnson
A man aged 24 with mesothelioma of the pericardium has claimed that Johnson and Johnson's baby powder was responsible for his cancer. The Oakland mesothelioma case is the first trial to take place since J&J spun off its Talc business and filed for bankruptcy.
In the spring of this year, jury awards in New Jersey and California led to large settlements in talc lawsuits. Plaintiffs attributed cancer to asbestos found in J&J products Shower to Shower and baby powder.
What is Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is a deadly type 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 abdomen and chest cavity. Asbestos is the most well-known mesothelioma-related cause and those 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 inspired by the story of the plaintiff. In 2022, the plaintiff who was only 24 years old at the time was diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma of pericardium. He attributed the reason for his illness to his use of Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder. The jury awarded him $25 million.
J&J has been accused of concealing asbestos risks from consumers for many years. J&J has a history of hiding asbestos-related findings from regulators, and even supplying asbestos tests to achieve the results it wanted. A number of the company's talcum powder suppliers have been named in these lawsuits and include Whittaker, Clark & Daniels and Imerys Talc America.
Many women who used talcum powder to maintain feminine hygiene in the genital areas or on sanitary napkins or condoms have been diagnosed with an ovarian cancer and some have been diagnosed with 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 did not take the time to warn consumers.
Mesothelioma symptoms can include difficulty breathing, persistent coughing, fatigue, abdominal pain and lumps or masses on the chest or abdomen. Doctors can diagnose the disease through a physical examination and imaging scans. These include CT scans (computer tomography), MRIs, PET or X rays.
Once a mesothelioma diagnosis is confirmed, patients may undergo chemotherapy, surgery, or radiation. Depending on the location of their tumors surgeons may be able remove the affected tissue. Certain patients with mesothelioma have a life expectancy 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 all cancers, mesothelioma occurs when a cell's DNA experiences mutations. These mutations cause the cells to multiply in uncontrolled ways, forming tumors in the tissues of the body. Asbestos is the most common cause mesothelioma. The exposure to asbestos can occur in many different industries, including manufacturing, mining construction, transportation and construction. Asbestos exposure is typically seen 20 to 40 years before symptoms appear. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than females. It is also diagnosed most often in people between the ages 50 and 70. The type of asbestos-related mesothelioma that a person develops is usually determined by the location on their body they were exposed. Most mesothelioma patients are diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma, which affects the lung. Some are diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma. Plymouth mesothelioma attorney of mesothelioma is affecting the abdomen. Some people are diagnosed with pericardial msothelioma. This is an extremely rare type of the disease which affects both the lining (pericardium) and the organ itself.
Symptoms of mesothelioma include fatigue, breathlessness and abdominal pain, as well as weight loss. In the last stages of mesothelioma, tumors may expand to other parts of the body which can cause extreme discomfort and discomfort. Other signs of mesothelioma can include fluid in the lung, a loss of appetite, difficulty eating and swallowing. Mesothelioma can be fatal.
The talcum-powder case in Oakland involved a man of 24 years old who developed pericardial msothelioma after using J&J baby powder. His lawyers argued the company knew that talc contained asbestos but didn't warn customers. They also cited a letter from 1998 to a J&J executive that revealed asbestos could be present in their products.
This is the latest in a series of high-dollar verdicts against J&J. In March the jury handed down $18.8 million to a woman who contracted ovarian mesothelioma from J&J's talcum powder. Last month a jury in Missouri awarded $55 million in another case that dealt with the same issue. Seven new cases have been added to the MDL talcum-powder in the last month, bringing it to 37,522 the number of pending suits. Most of these lawsuits are filed by women who have 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 a specialist to ensure the most precise diagnosis and to avoid misdiagnosis, which could result in unnecessary treatment and spread of cancer.
A physical examination and blood test is an effective way to determine whether mesothelioma is causing symptoms. These tests can be used to determine asbestos fibers in blood or to look at how well a patient's organs are functioning. The most precise method to determine if mesothelioma has been detected is through a biopsy, in which doctors remove fluid or tissue from the affected area and then examine the area under a microscope to search for mesothelioma cancer cells.
The type of mesothelioma that a person is suffering from also affects his or her prognosis. Pleural mesothelioma, the most common type of the disease and is responsible for the majority of cases diagnosed. Peritoneal mesothelioma, which is a cancer that develops in the lining of the abdomen is less prevalent. In addition, pericardial mesothelioma is a rare type that occurs in the lining the heart. It only accounts for 1% of all cases.
Shortness of breath, which gets worse with time, and bloody coughing are among the first symptoms. Asbestos sufferers may also experience fluid accumulation in the chest cavity. This condition is called pleural effusion. This can be drained by inserting a needle into the affected area of the chest cavity. In more severe cases doctors may perform pleurodesis, which is a procedure which seals the area in order to prevent fluid from accumulating again in the pleura.
A reliable diagnosis of mesothelioma is crucial to determine the patient's survival rate as well as treatment options. There are many options for treatment which include chemotherapy, surgery and radiation. Other options include immunotherapy, which increases the immune system to fight mesothelioma and treatment fields for tumors that utilize a magnetic field in order to kill cancerous cells.
A specialized mesothelioma specialist can also help patients understand the different mesothelioma cell types that determine how aggressive the cancer is and what the prognosis of the patient is. Patients should discuss with their doctor their experience with asbestos exposure to determine if mesothelioma is an option and what treatment options are available.
How Can I Get Help?
If you used Johnson & Johnson talcum and you developed an ovarian disease or another like mesothelioma after using the talcum powder, you may be entitled to a substantial amount of compensation. Contact us today for an absolutely free assessment of your case. We can assist you with filing a mesothelioma lawsuit against J&J and hold J&J accountable for their negligence.
Mesothelioma is an uncommon and fatal illness caused by asbestos exposure is a rare condition. Asbestos used to be widely used in many consumer and industrial products including baby powder. In talcum-powder lawsuits plaintiffs claim that exposure to asbestos through inhalation of the powder led to the development of mesothelioma, or other health issues.
J&J allegedly knew about the risk of asbestos and talcum powder for a long time, but failed to warn consumers. Plaintiffs have filed lawsuits seeking punitive damages and compensatory damages against J&J. These claims have been consolidated in federal and state multidistrict lawsuits, also known as MDLs.
In 2018, one of the largest Talc trials ended in an $4.7 billion verdict for the plaintiff. The news made headlines across the country and set the tone for the rest of the litigation. Last month, a judge ruled against the motion of J&J to dismiss the lawsuits filed by the state of Mississippi.
However, in an effort to halt the lawsuit, J&J tried again. LTL Management, a subsidiary of J&J, filed for bankruptcy after the company incorporated an entity to take over 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 upon the same allegations as those of the individual lawsuits filed against J&J. They claim that the company acted negligently in failing to warn consumers of the risk of ovarian carcinoma due to talcum-powder, and that this constituted an infraction to 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 to determine if the lawsuits against J&J will be allowed to proceed. If you or someone near you has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, or any other condition that could have been caused talcum powder. You should seek legal advice as soon as possible. Our experienced lawyers can help you receive the compensation you deserve.