Mesothelioma Lawyer Files Talc Lawsuit Against Johnson & Johnson
A man aged 24 with pericardial msothelioma claims that Johnson & Johnson baby powder is the cause of 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 spring of this year, jury awards in New Jersey and California led to large settlements in talc-related lawsuits. Plaintiffs have linked cancer to asbestos in J&J products Shower to Shower and baby powder.
What is Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is a lethal type of cancer that affects the mesothelium, or the lining surrounding organs and cavities inside the body. It is most commonly found in the lungs, but it can also be found in the abdomen, the heart and chest cavity as well as testicles. Asbestos, which is the only known cause of this disease, is asbestos. People who have been exposed to asbestos are at a higher 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 as they listened to the testimony of the plaintiff. In 2022, the plaintiff who was only 24 years old at the time was diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma in the pericardium. He attributed his illness to childhood use of Johnson & Johnson baby powder. The jury awarded him $26 million.
J&J is accused of obfuscating asbestos-related risks from consumers for decades. The company has a long history of keeping 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 company's talcum-powder suppliers such as Whittaker Clark & Daniels, Imerys Talc America, and others.
Some women who used talcum for feminine hygiene on sanitary pads or condoms or in the genital area have developed ovarian and mesothelioma. The lawsuits assert that J&J was aware for more than forty years that the powder could cause ovarian cancer as well as other illnesses, but did not take the time to warn consumers.
Mesothelioma symptoms can include breathing problems, chronic coughing, fatigue, abdominal pain and lumps or masses on the chest or abdomen. Doctors can identify the disease by a physical examination and imaging scans. These may include CT (computer tomography) scans, MRIs and PET or X-rays.
When a mesothelioma diagnosis is confirmed, patients can undergo chemotherapy, surgery and/or radiation. The surgeons are able to remove the affected tissue based on the location of the tumors. Some 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 all cancers, mesothelioma occurs when a cell's DNA experiences mutations. These mutations can cause uncontrolled cell growth, which causes tumors to form in tissues. Asbestos is a frequent cause of mesothelioma. Asbestos exposure can be found in a variety of industries, including manufacturing, mining, and transportation. Asbestos can be exposed for between 20 and 40 years before symptoms appearing. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma compared to women. It is also found most often among those between the ages of 50 and 70. The kind of mesothelioma caused by asbestos that someone develops is usually determined by the location they were exposed. The majority of patients diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma that affects the lung. Others are diagnosed as having peritoneal mesothelioma. This type of mesothelioma affects the abdomen. In addition, some individuals are diagnosed with pericardial mesothelioma. It is the most rare form of the disease that affects the lining of the heart (pericardium) and the organ itself.
The symptoms of mesothelioma are fatigue, shortness of breath abdominal pain and weight loss. In the late stages of mesothelioma tumors can spread to other areas of the body, causing extreme pain and discomfort. Other symptoms of mesothelioma include fluid in the lungs, loss of appetite and difficulty swallowing and eating. Mesothelioma can be fatal.
The talcum-powder trial in Oakland involved a man of 24 who developed pericardial msothelioma after using J&J baby powder. His lawyers argued that J&J knew that talc contained asbestos, but didn't warn customers. They also cited a 1998 letter sent to an J&J executive revealing the possibility of asbestos being 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. In henderson mesothelioma lawyer , a jury in Missouri awarded $55 million in a similar case. Seven new cases have been added to the MDL talcum powder over the last month, bringing to 37,522 the number of lawsuits in the process. Most of these lawsuits were brought 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 see a specialist to get the most accurate information possible and avoid misdiagnosis that could lead to unneeded treatment and allow cancer to spread more.
A physical exam and blood sample can help identify mesothelioma-related symptoms. These tests can detect the presence of asbestos fibers in blood or to assess the way in which the organs of a patient are functioning. The most precise method to identify mesothelioma is with biopsy, which is when doctors remove fluid or tissue from the affected area and then examine it under a microscope to search for mesothelioma cancer cells.
The type of mesothelioma sufferers have can influence the prognosis of a patient. Pleural mesothelioma is the most common type of the disease and accounts for the majority of cases diagnosed. Peritoneal mesothelioma is a type of cancer that develops in the lining of the abdomen is less prevalent. In addition, pericardial mesothelioma which is a rare form of cancer that occurs in the heart's lining, is much rarer and only accounts for approximately 1percent of cases.
A shortness of breath that gets worse with time, and bloody coughing are some of the first symptoms. Asbestos victims can also experience fluid accumulation in the chest cavity, a condition known as pleural effusion. It can be eliminated by inserting a needle in the affected region of the chest cavity. In more severe cases, doctors might undergo a procedure called pleurodesis to seal the space to stop the reaccumulation of fluid in the pleura.
A reliable diagnosis of mesothelioma is essential to determining 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 enhances the immune system to fight mesothelioma and cancer treating fields that employ a magnetic field in order to kill cancerous cells.
A mesothelioma expert can also help patients understand different mesothelioma cells, which determine the extent of the cancer and the patient's outlook. Patients should discuss their history of asbestos exposure with their physician to determine if they are a mesothelioma candidate and discover what kinds of treatment might be available to them.
How Can I get help?
If you used Johnson & Johnson talcum and developed ovarian or other illnesses like mesothelioma after using the powder, you could be eligible for a significant amount of compensation. Contact us now for a free, no obligation case evaluation. We can help you bring mesothelioma suits against J&J to ensure that they are held accountable for their negligence.
Mesothelioma is a rare but fatal disease caused by exposure to asbestos. Asbestos was once used extensively in a variety of industrial and consumer products including baby powder. Plaintiffs in talcum powder lawsuits claim that inhaling talcum powder contributed to their exposure to asbestos, which contributed to mesothelioma and other health problems.
J&J did not warn the public about the dangers of talcum and asbestos, despite knowing them for decades. Plaintiffs have filed mesothelioma lawsuits against J&J seeking damages for punitive and compensatory. These claims have been combined into federal and state multidistrict litigations, also known as MDLs.
In 2018, one of the largest talc cases resulted in an $4.7 billion settlement in favor of the plaintiff. This was a national news story and set the precedent for the rest. In the last month, a judge denied a motion by J&J to dismiss the lawsuits brought by the state of Mississippi.
J&J however, tried again to stall the litigation. The company established a new subsidiary entity to assume its talc liabilities and LTL Management filed for bankruptcy. The bankruptcy stopped hundreds of talc suits but the 3rd Circuit rejected that strategy.
The lawsuits brought by the state of Mississippi are based on the same allegations that were a part of the individual lawsuits filed against J&J which allege that the company's failure to warn of the dangers of ovarian cancer from talcum powder was negligent, and constituted violations of the law of the state.
J&J has resubmitted 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 proceed. If you or someone near you has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, or another condition that could be the result of talcum powder. You must seek legal advice immediately. Our experienced lawyers can assist you in obtaining the compensation you're entitled to.