Mesothelioma Lawyer Files Talc Lawsuit Against Johnson & Johnson
A 24-year-old with pericardial msothelioma claims that Johnson & Johnson baby powder is to blame for his cancer. The Oakland mesothelioma trial is the first trial that has been held since J&J filed for bankruptcy and split off its talc division.
This year, juries awards in New Jersey and California led to massive settlements in talc lawsuits. Plaintiffs linked cancer to asbestos in J&J products Shower to Shower and baby powder.
What is Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma, a deadly form of cancer, affects the mesothelium or lining around organs and cavities inside the body. It is most common in the lungs but can also be found in the chest and abdomen cavity. Asbestos is the only known mesothelioma-related cause and those who have been exposed to asbestos are at a higher chance of developing the disease.
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 only 24 years old was diagnosed with malignant pericardial mesothelioma in 2022. He attributed his illness to the use of Johnson & Johnson baby powder. The jury awarded him $26 million.
J&J has been accused of hiding asbestos-related risks from consumers for a long time. The company has a long track record of keeping asbestos information from regulators, and paying for asbestos tests that gave the results they wanted. The lawsuits have identified a number of the talcum-powder suppliers for the company, including Whittaker Clark & Daniels, Imerys Talc America, and others.
Some women who used talcum to provide feminine hygiene on sanitary pads or condoms, or 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 cause ovarian cancer and other illnesses, but failed to warn consumers.
Mesothelioma symptoms include abdominal pain, abdominal swelling, abdominal lumps, and persistent coughing. 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 can undergo chemotherapy, surgery, or radiation. The surgeons can remove affected tissue, based on the location of the tumors. Some patients with mesothelioma have a life expectancy less than five. However, aggressive treatments such as extracorporeal tissue transplantation or chemotherapy for cytoreduction that uses hyperthermic intraperitoneal therapy can prolong survival.
What is the cause of Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that is caused by DNA changes within a cell. The mutations cause the cells to multiply in uncontrolled ways and develop tumors in tissues of the body. Asbestos is a frequent cause mesothelioma. Asbestos exposure can occur in a variety of industries such as manufacturing, mining construction, transportation and construction. Asbestos can be exposed for between 20 and 40 years before symptoms developing. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than women. It is also found most often in people between the ages of 50 and 70. The type of mesothelioma a person is usually determined by the part of their body that were exposed to asbestos. Most mesothelioma patients are diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma that affects the lung. Some are diagnosed with peritoneal msothelioma. This type of mesothelioma affects the abdomen. Some patients are diagnosed with pericardial mesothelioma. This is an extremely rare type of cancer that affects both the lining (pericardium) as well as the organ itself.
The symptoms of mesothelioma are fatigue, shortness of breath abdominal pain and weight loss. In the later stages of mesothelioma the tumors may grow to other areas that cause severe discomfort and discomfort. Other typical symptoms of mesothelioma are fluid on the lungs (pleural effusion) loss of appetite, difficulties swallowing and a blockage within the small intestine, referred to as a obstruction of the bowel. Mesothelioma can be fatal.
The talcum powder trial in Oakland involved a man aged 24 who was diagnosed with pericardial mesothelioma due to the use of J&J baby powder. His lawyers claimed that J&J knew that talc was contaminated with asbestos, but did not inform customers. They also cited a 1998 letter to an J&J executive that revealed the possibility of asbestos in their products.
This is the latest in a series of high-dollar verdicts against J&J. In March, J&J's Talcum powder caused ovarian mesothelioma to a woman. In March, a jury in Missouri handed down $55 million in an identical case. Seven new cases have been added to the MDL talcum powder over the last month, bringing it to 37,522 the number of lawsuits in the process. The majority of these lawsuits are brought by women who have used J&J talcum powder to maintain their feminine hygiene.
How Can I Tell If I Have Mesothelioma?
A diagnosis of mesothelioma is devastating. Patients should always consult a specialist for the most precise diagnosis and to avoid false diagnosis, which could lead to unneeded treatment and cancer spreading.
A physical exam and a blood sample can aid in identifying mesothelioma signs. These tests can detect the presence of asbestos fibers in blood or to assess how well a patient's organs are functioning. The most reliable method to identify mesothelioma is with a biopsy, in which doctors remove tissue or fluid from the affected area and then examine the area under a microscope to look for mesothelioma cells.
The type of mesothelioma a person has also affects the likelihood of a positive outcome. Pleural mesothelioma, which forms in the thin lining of the lungs, is the common form of mesothelioma and makes up the majority of cases diagnosed. Peritoneal mesothelioma, which is a cancer that forms in the lining of the abdomen, is less common. In addition, pericardial mesothelioma is a rare kind that develops in the lining of the heart. It's only 1percent of all cases.
A shortness of breath that gets worse with time, and a bloody cough are some of the first symptoms. Asbestos patients might also experience fluid buildup in the chest cavity, a condition known as 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 a procedure called pleurodesis, which seals the area to prevent reaccumulation of fluid in the pleura.
A precise mesothelioma diagnosis is the most reliable way to determine the patient's treatment options as well as their survival rate. Surgery, chemotherapy and radiation are all options. Other options include immunotherapy, a form of treatment that enhances the immune system to fight mesothelioma tumors, and tumor treating fields, which employ a magnetic field to destroy cancerous cells.
alaska mesothelioma attorneys can assist patients in understanding the different mesothelioma types, which determine the extent of the cancer as well as the patient's outlook. Patients should discuss with their doctor their history of asbestos exposure to determine whether mesothelioma could be a possibility and what treatment options are available.
How Can I Get Help?
If you have used Johnson & Johnson talcum and suffered from ovarian or other diseases such as mesothelioma following the use of the powder, you could be eligible for a significant amount of compensation. Contact us today for an obligation-free, no-cost assessment of your case. We can assist you with bringing a mesothelioma suit against J&J to make them accountable for their negligence.
Mesothelioma, an uncommon and fatal illness caused by asbestos exposure, is a rare disease. Asbestos used to be widely used in many consumer and industrial products including baby powder. Plaintiffs in talcum powder lawsuits claim that inhaling talcum powder caused to their exposure to asbestos which led to mesothelioma and other health problems.
J&J allegedly knew about the dangers of asbestos and talcum powder for decades, but did not warn consumers. Plaintiffs have filed lawsuits seeking punitive damages and compensatory damages against J&J. These claims have been consolidated in state and federal multidistrict lawsuits, also known as MDLs.
In 2018 one of the biggest Talc cases resulted in a $4.7 billion verdict in the favor of the plaintiff. This was a national news story and set the precedent 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, tried again to halt the litigation. LTL Management, a subsidiary of J&J has filed for bankruptcy after the company established an entity that would take on its obligations. The bankruptcy stopped hundreds of talc suits but the 3rd Circuit rejected that strategy.
The lawsuits filed by Mississippi are based on the same allegations of the individual lawsuits brought against J&J. They assert that the company acted negligently in failing to warn consumers of the risk of ovarian carcinoma from talcum-powder and that this was a violation of state law.
J&J has filed a motion to dismiss lawsuits before a different bankruptcy court. A hearing has been scheduled for June to decide whether the lawsuits against J&J will be allowed to move forward. If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with a mesothelioma or another condition that could be caused by talcum powder you should seek legal representation immediately. Our experienced attorneys will assist you in getting the justice you deserve.