Mesothelioma Lawyer Files Talc Lawsuit Against Johnson & Johnson
A man who is 24 years old and has mesothelioma pericardial has claimed that Johnson and Johnson's baby powder caused his cancer. The Oakland mesothelioma trial is one of the first to proceed since J&J has dissolved its Talc business and filed for bankruptcy.
In the first quarter of the year, substantial settlements were made in talc suits in New Jersey and California. Plaintiffs attributed their cancer to asbestos in J&J's Shower to Shower and Baby Powder products.
What is Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is a deadly type of cancer that affects the mesothelium, the lining around organs and body cavities. It is most prevalent in the lungs, but it can also be located in the abdomen and chest cavity. Asbestos, the sole known cause of this disease, is asbestos. People who have been exposed are at risk of developing it.
The first trial since 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 only 24 years old at the time was diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma of pericardium. He attributed the cause of his condition 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 number of years. The company has a long tradition of concealing asbestos-related information from regulators, and paying for asbestos tests that did not yield the results they desired. Some 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 area 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 knew for more than 40 years that the powder caused ovarian cancer and mesothelioma, but failed to warn customers of the danger.
The symptoms of mesothelioma are abdominal pain as well as abdominal lumps, abdominal swelling and a persistent cough. Doctors can detect mesothelioma with a physical exam and imaging scans. These may include CT (computer tomography) scans, MRIs and PET or X-rays.
If a mesothelioma diagnosis has been confirmed, patients can undergo surgery, chemotherapy and/or radiation. The surgeons are able to remove the affected tissue based on the location of the tumors. Patients with mesothelioma may be given a life expectancy of less than five years, but aggressive treatments such as extracorporeal membrane transplantation and cytoreduction using hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy can extend the life expectancy.
What causes Mesothelioma?
Like many cancers, mesothelioma occurs when a cell's DNA experiences mutations. These mutations cause cells to multiply rapidly and develop tumors in tissues of the body. Asbestos is the most frequent mesothelioma-related cause. Asbestos exposure can occur in a variety of industries, including manufacturing, mining, and transportation. Asbestos exposure is typically seen in the 20 to 40 years preceding symptoms develop. Mesothelioma is more prevalent in men than women, and is most commonly diagnosed in people who are in their 50s and 70s. The type of mesothelioma a person gets is often determined by the part of their body that were exposed to asbestos. The majority of patients diagnosed with pleural msothelioma, which affects the lung. Others are diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma. one type of mesothelioma which affects the abdomen. In addition, some individuals are diagnosed with pericardial mesothelioma, the most rare form of the disease that affects the heart's lining (pericardium) and the organ itself.
Shortness of breath as well as abdominal pain and fatigue are all symptoms of mesothelioma. In the later stages of mesothelioma the tumors may grow to other areas, causing severe discomfort and pain. Other signs of mesothelioma are fluid in the lungs, loss of appetite and difficulty swallowing and eating. Mesothelioma is a terminal illness that is often fatal.
The talcum-powder trial in Oakland involved a man of 24 who developed pericardial mesothelioma as a result of using J&J baby powder. His lawyers argued that the company knew talc could contain asbestos and didn't warn consumers. They also cited a letter in 1998 to an J&J executive that revealed the possibility of asbestos in their products.
This is just the latest in a string of large verdicts against J&J. In March the jury handed down $18.8 million to a woman who was diagnosed with mesothelioma of the ovarian tract from J&J's powder. Then, last month, a jury in Missouri awarded $55 million in a different case that dealt with the same issue. In addition, seven cases were added to the powder's MDL over the last month and brought the total number of pending lawsuits to 37,522. Most of these lawsuits are brought by women who have used J&J talcum powder to maintain their feminine hygiene.
How do I know if I Have Mesothelioma?
A diagnosis of mesothelioma is devastating. Patients should always consult a specialist to get the most precise diagnosis and to avoid mistakes that 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 be used to look for asbestos fibers in blood or the health of a patient's internal organs. The most reliable method to identify mesothelioma is with a biopsy, in which doctors remove tissue or fluid from the affected area and examine the area under a microscope to search for mesothelioma cancer cells.
The type of mesothelioma a sufferer has also impacts his or her prognosis. Pleural mesothelioma, the most common type of the disease and accounts for the majority of cases that are diagnosed. Peritoneal cancer, which develops in the lining surrounding the abdomen is a less well-known type. Finally, pericardial mesothelioma, a rare type of cancer that develops in the lining of the heart, is much rarer and only accounts for approximately 1percent of cases.
Shortness of breath, which is more severe with time, and a bloody cough are a few of the initial symptoms. Asbestos sufferers might also experience fluid buildup in the chest cavity, a condition known as pleural effusion. It can be eliminated by inserting a needle in the affected area of the chest cavity. In more severe cases, doctors may opt to perform pleurodesis, an operation that seals the space to prevent fluid from accumulating again in the pleura.
A precise mesothelioma diagnosis is the best way to determine the patient's treatment options as well as their survival rate. There are a variety of options for treatment, including surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. Other options include immunotherapy, which boosts the immune systems to fight mesothelioma as well as treatment fields for tumors that utilize magnetic fields to kill cancerous cells.
A specialist in mesothelioma can also help patients understand the various mesothelioma types which determine how invasive the cancer is and what the prognosis of the patient is. Patients should discuss their experience of asbestos exposure with their doctor to determine if they are mesothelioma-related 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 powder and then developed ovarian cancer, or another disease such as mesothelioma, you could be entitled to significant compensation. Contact us today for an obligation-free, no-cost consultation. We can assist you with bringing a mesothelioma suit against J&J to hold them accountable for negligence.
Mesothelioma is a rare but fatal illness that is caused by exposure to asbestos. orlando mesothelioma attorney was once widely used in a wide range of consumer and industrial products, including baby powder. In talcum powder cases, plaintiffs claim that exposure to asbestos through inhalation of the powder caused them to develop mesothelioma or other health problems.
J&J was allegedly aware of the risk of talcum powder and asbestos for decades, but did not warn consumers. Plaintiffs have filed lawsuits seeking punitive damages and compensatory damages against the company. These lawsuits have been amalgamated into federal and state multidistrict litigations, also known as MDLs.
In 2018 one of the first major trial involving talc resulted in an $4.7 billion settlement for the plaintiff. This was a national news story that set the precedent for the rest of the year. Last month, a court denied J&J's request to dismiss the lawsuits brought by the state.
J&J, however, tried again to halt the litigation. The company established a new subsidiary entity to take on its talc liability and LTL Management filed for bankruptcy. The bankruptcy stopped the talc lawsuits of thousands, but the 3rd Circuit rejected this strategy.
The lawsuits filed by the state of Mississippi are founded on the same allegations as the individual lawsuits against J&J which allege that the company's failure to warn of the dangers of ovarian cancer caused by the talcum powder was negligent and was a violation of the law of the state.
J&J has resubmitted its motion to dismiss the lawsuits to another 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 you love has been diagnosed with a mesothelioma or another condition that could be caused by talcum powder, you should seek legal representation immediately. Our skilled lawyers can assist you in obtaining the compensation you deserve.