Mesothelioma Lawyer Files Talc Lawsuit Against Johnson & Johnson
A man who is 24 years old and has pericardial mesothelioma has alleged Johnson and Johnson's baby powder was responsible for his cancer. The Oakland mesothelioma trial is one of the first one to be held since J&J spun off its talc business and filed for bankruptcy.
In the first quarter of this year, large settlements were reached in talc lawsuits in New Jersey and California. Plaintiffs linked cancer to asbestos in J&J products Shower to Shower and baby powder.
What is Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is a fatal form of cancer that affects the mesothelium, the lining around organs and body cavities. It is usually found in the lungs but it can also occur in the abdomen, heart and chest cavity as well as testicles. Asbestos is the most well-known cause of mesothelioma and those who have been exposed to asbestos are at a higher risk of developing this disease.
The first trial since J&J declared bankruptcy on its talcum powder division opened in Oakland, California this week. Jurors were inspired by the story of the plaintiff. The plaintiff, who is only 24 years old, was diagnosed with malignant pericardial cancer in 2022. He blamed his condition on childhood exposure to Johnson & Johnson baby powder. The jury awarded him $25 million.
J&J has been accused of concealing asbestos risks from the public for a number of years. The company has a long history of concealing asbestos-related information from regulators, and even paying for asbestos tests that gave the results they wanted. Several of the company's talcum powder suppliers have been named in these lawsuits and include Whittaker, Clark & Daniels and Imerys Talc America.
Women who used talcum for feminine hygiene, such as sanitary pads or condoms, or in the genital area have developed ovarian and mesothelioma. The lawsuits claim that J&J knew for more than 40 years that the powder led to mesothelioma and ovarian cancer but failed to warn customers of this danger.
Mesothelioma symptoms include abdominal pain as well as abdominal swelling, abdominal lumps, and persistent coughing. Doctors can identify the disease through a physical examination and imaging scans. These could include CT (computer tomography) scans, MRIs and PET or X-rays.
Once a mesothelioma diagnosis is confirmed, patients may undergo chemotherapy, surgery, or radiation. Depending on the location of their tumors surgeons may be able to remove the affected tissue. Some patients with mesothelioma have a life expectancy less than five. However, aggressive treatments such as extracorporeal tissue transplantation and cytoreduction using hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy can prolong the duration of survival.
What is the cause of Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma, as with most cancers, is caused by DNA changes in cells. These mutations cause the cells to multiply rapidly, forming tumors in the tissues of the body. Asbestos is the leading mesothelioma cause. Exposure to asbestos can be found in a variety of industries such as mining, manufacturing construction, transportation and construction. Asbestos is usually exposed for 20 to 40 years before symptoms developing. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than females. It is also found most often in people between the ages of 50 and 70. The type of mesothelioma a sufferer is usually determined by the area of their body where they were exposed to asbestos. Most mesothelioma patients are diagnosed with pleural msothelioma which affects the lung. Others are diagnosed as having peritoneal msothelioma. This kind of mesothelioma affects the abdomen. Finally, some people are diagnosed with pericardial melanoma, the most rare form of the disease that affects the lining of the heart (pericardium) and the organ itself.
Mesothelioma symptoms include shortness of breath, fatigue, abdominal pain and weight loss. In the late stages of mesothelioma tumors can spread to other areas of the body creating extreme pain and discomfort. Other common symptoms of mesothelioma are fluid on the lung (pleural effusion), loss of appetite, difficulties swallowing, and a blockage of the small intestine, referred to as a obstruction in the bowel. Mesothelioma is a fatal illness that is usually fatal.
The talcum powder trial in Oakland involved a man of 24 who was diagnosed with pericardial cancer due to the use of J&J baby powder. His lawyers claimed that J&J knew talc could contain asbestos and didn't warn consumers. They also cited a 1998 letter addressed to an J&J executive, revealing the possibility of asbestos being in their products.
This is only the latest in a long line of large 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 an identical case. Seven new cases have been added to the MDL talcum-powder over the past month, bringing it to 37,522 the number of lawsuits pending. worcester mesothelioma law firm of these lawsuits are 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 could be devastating. Patients should always seek out a specialist for the most precise diagnosis and to avoid misdiagnosis, which could lead to unnecessary treatment and the spread of cancer.
A physical examination and a blood test can be a good start to identify whether mesothelioma has caused symptoms. These tests can check for asbestos fibers in the blood or to assess how well a patient's organs are functioning. The most accurate method of diagnosing mesothelioma is the procedure of a biopsy. Doctors remove tissues or fluids from the affected area and then examine them under a microscope to look for mesothelioma cancerous cells.
The type of mesothelioma that a person has can also influence the prognosis of a patient. Pleural mesothelioma, that forms in the thin lining that surrounds the lung, is the most common form of mesothelioma and accounts for the majority of diagnosed cases. Peritoneal mesothelioma is a type of cancer that develops in the lining of the abdomen, is less common. In addition, pericardial mesothelioma is a rare type that develops in the lining of the heart. It's only 1percent of all cases.
The breath is short, and becomes worse over time, and bloody coughing are a few of the initial symptoms. Asbestos patients can also experience fluid accumulation in the chest cavity. This condition is called Pleural effusion. This can be drained by inserting a needle into the affected region of the chest cavity. In more severe cases doctors may perform pleurodesis, which is a procedure that seals the space in order to prevent the accumulation of fluid within the pleura.
A precise mesothelioma diagnosis is the best way to determine the patient's treatment options and survival rate. Chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation are all options. Other options include immunotherapy, which increases the immune system to fight mesothelioma and cancer treating fields that employ magnetic fields to kill cancerous cell.
A mesothelioma expert can also assist patients in understanding the various mesothelioma cell types which determine the extent of the cancer and the outlook for patients. Patients should discuss their experience of asbestos exposure with their doctor to determine if they're mesothelioma-related and discover what kinds of treatment options are available to them.
How Can I get help?
If you've used Johnson & Johnson talcum and suffered from ovarian or other diseases like mesothelioma as a result of using the talcum powder, you could be eligible for a significant amount of compensation. Contact us today to receive an absolutely free consultation. We can assist you with filing mesothelioma claims against J&J and make J&J accountable for their negligence.
Mesothelioma is a rare, but fatal illness that is caused by exposure to asbestos. Asbestos was widely used in many industrial and consumer products like baby powder. In talcum-powder lawsuits plaintiffs assert that asbestos exposure from inhaling 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 had been aware of their dangers for decades. Plaintiffs have filed lawsuits seeking punitive damages as well as compensatory damages against the company. The claims have been combined in federal and state multidistrict litigations, or MDLs.
In 2018, one of the largest talc trials resulted in an $4.7 billion verdict for the plaintiff. This was a major news story and set the tone for the rest of the year. In the last month, a judge rejected a motion by J&J to dismiss the lawsuits filed by the state of Mississippi.
However, in an effort to stop the lawsuit, J&J tried again. LTL Management, a subsidiary of J&J has filed for bankruptcy after the company incorporated a new entity to assume its liabilities. The bankruptcy ended the filing of thousands of talc lawsuits, but the 3rd Circuit rejected that strategy.
The lawsuits filed by Mississippi are based upon the same allegations that are in the background of the individual lawsuits brought against J&J. They allege that the company acted negligently in failing to warn consumers of the risk of ovarian carcinoma from talcum powder and that this constituted an infraction to the law of the state.
J&J has filed a motion to dismiss 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 continue. If you or someone around you has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, or any other condition that could have been caused talcum powder. You should seek legal counsel immediately. Our lawyers are experienced and can assist you in obtaining the compensation you deserve.