Mesothelioma Lawyer Files Talc Lawsuit Against Johnson & Johnson
A man who is 24 years old and has pericardial mesothelioma has alleged Johnson & Johnson's baby powder caused 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 big settlements in talc lawsuits. Independence mesothelioma lawyer linked their cancer to asbestos in J&J's Shower Baby and Shower Powder products.
What is Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is a fatal form of cancer that affects mesothelium or lining that surrounds organs and body cavities. It is most prevalent in the lungs but can also be located in the chest and abdomen cavity. Asbestos is the only known cause of mesothelioma, and people who have been exposed to asbestos are at a higher chance of developing the disease.
The first trial since J&J declared bankruptcy over its talcum powder division opened in Oakland, California this week. Jurors were inspired by the story of the plaintiff. The plaintiff, who is just 24 years old, was diagnosed with malignant pericardial mesothelioma in 2022. He attributed the cause of his condition to his use of Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder. The jury awarded him $26 million.
J&J has been accused of hiding asbestos risks from consumers for a number of years. The company has a history of hiding asbestos-related findings from regulators, and even supplying asbestos tests to generate the results it desired. These lawsuits have named several of the company's suppliers of talcum powder which include Whittaker Clark & Daniels, Imerys Talc America, and others.
Many women who used talcum powder for feminine hygiene in the genital region or on sanitary napkins or condoms have been diagnosed with cancer of the ovary, and a few have been diagnosed with mesothelioma. The lawsuits assert that J&J knew for more than 40 years that using the powder led to ovarian cancer and mesothelioma, but did not warn consumers of the danger.
Mesothelioma symptoms may include difficulty breathing, persistent coughing and fatigue, abdominal pain and lumps or masses on the abdomen or chest. Doctors can detect mesothelioma with a physical exam and imaging scans. These include CT scans (computer tomography), MRIs, PET or X-rays.
If mesothelioma has been diagnosed, patients can undergo surgery, chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy. Depending on the location of their tumors, surgeons might be able to remove the affected tissue. Patients with mesothelioma may have a lifespan less than five. However, aggressive treatments such as extracorporeal tissue transplantation and chemotherapy for cytoreduction that uses hyperthermic intraperitoneal therapy can prolong the duration of survival.
What is the cause of Mesothelioma?
Like many cancers, mesothelioma is caused by DNA mutations. The mutations cause the cells to multiply in uncontrolled ways, forming tumors in the tissues of the body. Asbestos is a common cause mesothelioma. Asbestos exposure is common in a variety of industries such as manufacturing, mining, and transportation. Asbestos is typically exposed 20 to 40 years prior to symptoms developing. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than women. It is also most often diagnosed among those between the ages of 50 and 70. The kind of mesothelioma involving asbestos that someone develops is usually determined by where on their body they were exposed. The majority of people diagnosed with mesothelioma are diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma, which affects the lungs. Some are diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma. which is a mesothelioma type that affects the abdomen. Some patients are diagnosed with pericardial msothelioma. This is a rare type of disease that affects both the lining (pericardium), and the organ itself.
Mesothelioma symptoms include fatigue, shortness of breath abdominal pain and weight loss. In the final stages of mesothelioma, the tumors may spread to other parts of the body, which can cause extreme pain and discomfort. Other signs of mesothelioma can include fluid in the lung, a loss of appetite, difficulty eating and swallowing. Mesothelioma is a fatal disease, and can be fatal.
The trial involving talcum powder in Oakland involved a 24-year-old man who developed pericardial mesothelioma from the use of J&J baby powder. His lawyers argued the company knew that talc contained asbestos but didn't warn customers. They also cited an 1998 letter to an J&J executive that revealed the possibility of asbestos being in their products.
This is the latest in a string of high-dollar verdicts against J&J. In March, a jury handed down $18.8 million to a woman who was diagnosed with mesothelioma of the ovarian tract from J&J's powder. Last month, a jury in Missouri awarded $55 million in a separate case involving the same issue. Seven new cases have been added to the MDL talcum-powder over the past month, which brings the total to 37,522 the total number of lawsuits in the process. The majority of these lawsuits involve women who used J&J's Talcum powder for feminine hygiene reasons.
How Do I Know If I Have Mesothelioma?
A diagnosis of mesothelioma could be devastating. Patients should always see a specialist to get the most accurate information available and avoid misdiagnosis which could result in unneeded treatment and let cancer expand further.
A physical examination and blood test could be an effective way to determine whether mesothelioma is causing symptoms. These tests can be used to determine the presence of asbestos fibers in blood or to assess how well a patient's organs are functioning. The most precise method to diagnose mesothelioma is by a biopsy, in which doctors remove fluid or tissue from the affected area and then examine it under a microscope to look for mesothelioma cells.
The type of mesothelioma is present in a patient can influence their prognosis. Pleural mesothelioma, that forms in the thin lining that surrounds the lungs, is the frequent form of the disease and makes up the majority of cases diagnosed. Peritoneal mesothelioma is a type of cancer that develops in the abdomen's lining is less prevalent. In addition, pericardial mesothelioma is a rare kind that is found in the lining of the heart. It's only 1% of all cases.
A shortness of breath that becomes worse over 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. The fluid can be removed from the chest cavity by inserting an needle into the affected region. In more severe cases doctors might perform pleurodesis. This is which is a procedure that seals the space in order to prevent the fluid from accumulating in the pleura.
A precise diagnosis of mesothelioma is crucial to determine a patient's survival rate and treatment options. Treatment options include chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation are all options. Other options include immunotherapy. It is a kind of treatment that increases the immune system to fight mesothelioma cancer cells and tumor-targeting fields, which uses the power of magnets to kill cancerous cells.
A mesothelioma specialist who is specialized can also help patients understand the different mesothelioma cell types, which determine how aggressive the cancer is and what the prognosis of the patient is. Patients should discuss their history of exposure to asbestos with their doctor to determine if they are a mesothelioma candidate and learn about the various types of treatment are available to them.
How Can I get help?
If you have used Johnson & Johnson talcum powder and then developed ovarian cancer, or a different illness such as mesothelioma, you may be eligible for substantial compensation. Contact us now for a free, no obligation case evaluation. We can help you file mesothelioma claims against J&J and hold J&J accountable for their negligence.
Mesothelioma, an extremely rare and fatal condition caused by asbestos exposure is a rare condition. Asbestos was once widely used in a range of 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 problems.
J&J failed to warn the public about the dangers of asbestos and talcum even though they were aware of them for decades. Plaintiffs have filed lawsuits seeking punitive damages as well as compensatory damages against the company. These claims have been consolidated in state and federal multidistrict lawsuits, or MDLs.
In 2018, one of the largest talc cases resulted in an $4.7 billion verdict in the favor of the plaintiff. This was a major news story and set a tone for the remainder of the litigation. Last month, a judge ruled against the motion of J&J to dismiss the lawsuits brought by the state of Mississippi.
J&J however, attempted again to stall the litigation. The company created an entity that was a subsidiary to take over its talc liabilities and LTL Management filed for bankruptcy. The bankruptcy ended thousands of talc suits, however, the 3rd Circuit rejected that strategy.
The lawsuits filed by the state of Mississippi are based on the same allegations that were a part of the individual lawsuits brought against J&J which allege that the company's inability to warn about the risks of ovarian cancer from talcum powder was negligent, and violated state law.
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 can be pursued. If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with mesothelioma or other disease that could be caused by talcum powder you should seek legal representation immediately. Our experienced lawyers will assist you in getting the compensation you deserve.