Mesothelioma Lawyer Files Talc Lawsuit Against Johnson & Johnson
A man aged 24 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 split off its talc division.
In the early part of the year, substantial settlements were made in talc suits in New Jersey and California. Plaintiffs have linked cancer to asbestos found in J&J products Shower to Shower and baby powder.
What is Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma can be a deadly form of cancer that affects the mesothelium or lining that surrounds organs and body cavities. It is most common in the lungs, but can also be found in the chest and abdomen cavity. Asbestos, which is the only known cause of this illness, is asbestos. People who have been exposed are at risk of developing it.
The first trial since J&J declared its Talcum Powder division bankrupt began this week and jurors in Oakland, California were emotional when they heard the story of the plaintiff. The plaintiff, who is just 24 years old, was diagnosed with malignant pericardial cancer in 2022. The plaintiff attributed his condition to childhood use of Johnson & Johnson baby powder. The jury awarded him $25 million.
J&J has been accused of hiding asbestos risks from consumers for a long time. The company has a history of withholding asbestos findings from regulators and even funding asbestos tests to generate the results it wanted. Some 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 as well as in the genital region have developed ovarian and mesothelioma. The lawsuits claim that J&J was aware for more than forty years that the powder could trigger ovarian cancer and other illnesses, but failed to warn consumers.
Mesothelioma symptoms may include breathing difficulties, constant coughing, fatigue, abdominal pain and lumps or masses on the chest or abdomen. Doctors can diagnose mesothelioma through a physical exam and imaging scans. They can include CT (computer tomography) scans, MRIs and PET or X-rays.
After a mesothelioma is diagnosed patients may undergo chemotherapy, surgery, and/or radiotherapy. Depending on the site of their tumors, surgeons may be able remove the affected tissue. Patients with mesothelioma can be given a life expectancy of less than five years, however aggressive treatments such as extracorporeal membrane transplant and cytoreduction with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy can prolong survival.
What Causes Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma, as with most cancers, is caused by DNA mutations within a cell. These mutations cause uncontrolled cell growth, which creates tumors in the tissues. Asbestos is a frequent cause of mesothelioma. Exposure to asbestos can occur in a variety of industries, including manufacturing, mining construction, transportation and construction. Asbestos exposure usually occurs between in the 20 to 40 years preceding symptoms begin to manifest. Mesothelioma affects men more than women, and is most commonly diagnosed in people who are in their 50s to 70s. The kind of mesothelioma involving asbestos that someone develops is usually determined by the location they were exposed. The majority of mesothelioma patients are diagnosed with pleural msothelioma which affects the lung. Some are diagnosed with peritoneal msothelioma. This type of mesothelioma is affecting the abdomen. Some people are diagnosed with pericardial msothelioma. This is an extremely rare form of disease that affects both the lining (pericardium) as well as the organ itself.
The symptoms of mesothelioma are shortness of breath, fatigue, abdominal pain and weight loss. In the later mesothelioma stages, the tumors can spread to other areas of the body, creating severe pain and discomfort. Other symptoms of mesothelioma include fluid in the lungs, loss of appetite difficulties eating and swallowing. Mesothelioma is a terminal disease, and is often fatal.
The talcum powder trial in Oakland involved a 24-year-old man who was diagnosed with pericardial mesothelioma due to the use of J&J baby powder. His lawyers argued that J&J knew that talc was contaminated with asbestos, but did not warn consumers. They also cited a letter from 1998 to a J&J executive that revealed asbestos could be present in their products.
This is only the latest in a series of major verdicts against J&J. In March, J&J's Talcum Powder caused ovarian mesothelioma in one 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 in the last month, which brings the total to 37,522 the total number of lawsuits in the process. The majority of these lawsuits involve women who have used J&J's talcum powder for feminine hygiene purposes.
How do I know If I Have Mesothelioma?
A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be devastating. Patients should always consult a specialist for the most accurate diagnosis and to avoid misdiagnosis, which could lead to unnecessary treatment and cancer spreading.
A physical exam and a blood sample can help identify mesothelioma symptoms. These tests can detect the presence of asbestos fibers in the blood or to look at how well a patient's organs are functioning. The most reliable method of diagnosing mesothelioma is the procedure of a biopsy. Doctors take tissues or fluids from an affected area, and then look at them under a microscope for mesothelioma tumor cells.
The type of mesothelioma a person has can also affect his or her prognosis. Pleural mesothelioma, that forms in the thin lining of the lungs, is the most common form of the disease and accounts for the majority of diagnosed cases. Peritoneal mesothelioma, which is a cancer that is found in the lining of the abdomen is not as common. In addition, pericardial mesothelioma which is a rare form of cancer that occurs in the heart's lining is much less common and accounts for about 1% of cases.
Some of the first symptoms include a shortness of breath which gets worse with time and coughing up blood. Asbestos sufferers might also experience fluid buildup in the chest cavity, which is known as pleural effusion. It can be removed by inserting a needle in the affected area of the chest cavity. In everett mesothelioma lawyer , doctors may perform pleurodesis, which is a procedure that seals the space to stop the fluid from accumulating in the pleura.
A precise 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 as well as treatment fields for tumors that utilize the power of magnets to kill cancerous cell.
A mesothelioma specialist may also assist patients in understanding the various mesothelioma cell types which determine the severity of the cancer and the patient's outlook. Patients should discuss with their physician their experiences with asbestos exposure to determine if mesothelioma is possible and what treatment options are available.
How Can I get help?
If you have used Johnson & Johnson talcum powder and have been diagnosed with ovarian cancer or a different illness such as mesothelioma, you could be entitled to significant compensation. Contact us today for a free, no obligation case evaluation. We can assist you with filing mesothelioma lawsuits against J&J and hold J&J accountable for their wrongful conduct.
Mesothelioma is a rare and fatal disease caused by asbestos exposure is a rare condition. Asbestos was a time when it was widely used in a range of consumer and industrial products, including baby powder. In talcum-powder cases, plaintiffs claim that exposure to asbestos through inhalation of the powder led to the development of mesothelioma and other health issues.
J&J failed to inform the public about the dangers of talcum and asbestos even though they were aware of them for decades. Plaintiffs have filed lawsuits seeking punitive damages and compensatory damages against J&J. These lawsuits have been consolidated into state and federal multidistrict litigations, or MDLs.
In 2018 one of the first large trial involving talc resulted in an $4.7 billion settlement for the plaintiff. This was a national news story that set the stage for the rest. In the last month, a judge ruled against a request by J&J to dismiss the lawsuits brought by the state of Mississippi.
J&J however, attempted again to stall the litigation. LTL Management, a subsidiary of J&J, filed for bankruptcy after the company incorporated an entity that would take on its obligations. The bankruptcy stopped thousands of talc suits, however, the 3rd Circuit rejected that strategy.
The lawsuits brought by Mississippi are based upon the same allegations as those of the individual lawsuits filed against J&J. They assert that the company acted negligently in failing to warn of the possibility of ovarian cancer from talcum-powder and that this was an infraction to the law of the state.
J&J has filed a motion to dismiss lawsuits to a different bankruptcy court. A hearing has been scheduled for June to determine whether the lawsuits against J&J will be allowed to move forward. If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with a mesothelioma, or any other condition that could be caused by talcum powder you should seek legal advice immediately. Our skilled attorneys can assist you in obtaining the compensation that you deserve.