Mesothelioma Lawyer Files Talc Lawsuit Against Johnson & Johnson
A 24-year-old man with pericardial mesothelioma has alleged Johnson and Johnson's baby powder caused his cancer. The Oakland mesothelioma trial is the first trial to be held since J&J filed for bankruptcy and spun off its talc division.
In the first quarter of the year, substantial settlements were reached in talc cases in New Jersey and California. Plaintiffs have linked cancer to asbestos in J&J products Shower to Shower and baby powder.
What is Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma can be a deadly form of cancer that affects the mesothelium the lining that surrounds organs and body cavities. It is most prevalent in the lungs, but can be located in the abdomen and chest cavity. Asbestos is the sole known mesothelioma-related cause, and people who have been exposed to asbestos are at greater risk of developing this disease.
The first trial after J&J declared bankruptcy on its talcum-powder division opened in Oakland, California this week. Jurors were moved by the story of the plaintiff. The plaintiff, who is only 24 years old was diagnosed with malignant pericardial cancer 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. J&J has a history of hiding asbestos-related findings from regulators and funding asbestos tests to generate the results it desired. Some of the company's Talcum powder suppliers have been named in these lawsuits which include Whittaker, Clark & Daniels and Imerys Talc America.
Women who used talcum for feminine hygiene, such as sanitary pads or condoms as well as in the genital area 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 diseases, but failed to warn consumers.
Mesothelioma symptoms can include difficulty breathing, persistent coughing, abdominal pain, fatigue and lumps or masses on the abdomen or chest. Doctors can diagnose the condition through a physical exam and imaging scans. These include CT scans (computer tomography), MRIs, PET or X-rays.
When a mesothelioma diagnosis is confirmed, patients can undergo chemotherapy, surgery and/or radiation. The surgeons can remove the affected tissue, based on the location of the tumors. Patients with mesothelioma can be given a life expectancy of less than five years, however aggressive treatments such as extracorporeal Membrane transplant and cytoreduction by hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy may prolong the duration of their survival.
What Causes Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that is caused by DNA mutations in a cell. These mutations cause the cells to multiply uncontrollably and form tumors in the tissues of the body. Asbestos is a common cause of mesothelioma. The exposure to asbestos can occur in many different industries such as mining, manufacturing construction, and transportation. Asbestos is usually exposed for between 20 and 40 years prior to symptoms appearing. Mesothelioma affects men more than women, and it is usually diagnosed in people in their 50s to 70s. The type of asbestos-related mesothelioma that a person develops is usually determined by the place they were exposed. The majority of patients diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma that affects the lung. Some are diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma, a type of mesothelioma that affects the abdomen. Some people are diagnosed with pericardial msothelioma. This is an extremely rare form of disease that affects both the lining (pericardium), and the organ itself.
Shortness of breath as well as abdominal pain and fatigue are all symptoms of mesothelioma. In the late stages of mesothelioma tumors can spread to other areas of the body creating extreme pain and discomfort. Other typical symptoms of mesothelioma include fluid on the lungs (pleural effusion), loss of appetite, difficulties swallowing and a blockage within the small intestine, referred to as a bowel obstruction. Mesothelioma can be fatal.
The talcum powder trial in Oakland involved an individual of 24 years old who was diagnosed with pericardial mesothelioma as a result of using J&J baby powder. His lawyers claimed that J&J knew that talc contained asbestos but didn't warn customers. They also cited a letter in 1998 to a J&J executive that highlighted asbestos could be present in their products.
This is the latest in a series of large verdicts against J&J. In March, J&J's Talcum Powder caused ovarian mesothelioma in a woman. Last month, another jury in Missouri handed down $55 million in an identical case. In addition, seven cases were added to the powder's MDL in the last month which brought the total number of pending lawsuits to 37,522. The majority 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?
The diagnosis of mesothelioma could be devastating. Patients must always consult a doctor to get the most precise diagnosis and to avoid misdiagnosis, which could lead to unneeded treatment and spread of cancer.
A physical exam and a blood test could be an excellent way to determine whether mesothelioma has caused symptoms. These tests can detect asbestos fibers in blood or to look at the extent to which a patient's organs are functioning. The most reliable method of diagnosing mesothelioma is the procedure of a biopsy. Doctors extract tissues or fluids from the affected area, and then look at them under a microscope to look for mesothelioma cancer cells.
The type of mesothelioma a person is suffering from also affects his or her prognosis. Pleural mesothelioma, that forms in the thin lining of the lungs, is the most frequent form of the disease and accounts for the vast majority of cases diagnosed. Peritoneal cancer that develops in the lining around the abdomen, is a less common form. Lastly, pericardial msothelioma is a rare type that is found in the lining of the heart. It only accounts for 1percent of all cases.
The breath is short, and becomes worse over time, and a bloody cough are among the first symptoms. Asbestos patients can also experience fluid accumulation within the chest cavity. This is known as the pleural effusion. The fluid can be removed from the chest cavity by inserting a needle into the area affected. In more severe cases, doctors may undergo a procedure called pleurodesis to seal the space to prevent reaccumulation of fluid in the pleura.
A reliable diagnosis of mesothelioma is crucial in determining a patient's survival rate and treatment options. Surgery, chemotherapy and radiation are all options. Other options include immunotherapy, a kind of treatment that increases the immune system to fight mesothelioma cancer cells and tumor-removing fields, which use the power of magnets to eliminate cancerous cells.
A mesothelioma specialist can assist patients in understanding the different mesothelioma types which determine the severity 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 options are available to them.
How Can I get help?
If you used Johnson & Johnson talcum and developed ovarian or other illnesses such as mesothelioma following the use of the talcum powder, you may be eligible for a significant amount of compensation. Contact us today to receive a no-obligation, free assessment of your case. We can assist you with filing mesothelioma claims against J&J and hold them accountable for their wrongful conduct.
Mesothelioma is a rare, but fatal disease that is caused by asbestos exposure. Asbestos was once widely used in a wide range of consumer and industrial products including baby powder. In talcum-powder cases, plaintiffs claim that asbestos exposure from inhaling the powder led to the development of mesothelioma or other health problems.
J&J was allegedly aware of the dangers of asbestos and talcum powder for a long time, but failed to warn consumers. Plaintiffs have filed mesothelioma lawsuits against the firm seeking compensatory and punitive damages. These claims have been combined into federal and state multidistrict litigations, or MDLs.
In 2018, one of the first large trial involving talc resulted in a $4.7 billion verdict for the plaintiff. It was a national news story and set the tone for the rest. Last month, a judge ruled against a request by J&J to dismiss the lawsuits brought by the state of Mississippi.
However, in an effort to stop the litigation, J&J tried again. LTL Management, a subsidiary of J&J was forced to file for bankruptcy after the company created an entity to take over its obligations. The bankruptcy stayed thousands of talc lawsuits but the 3rd Circuit rejected this strategy.
Plymouth mesothelioma attorney YouTube brought by Mississippi are based upon the same allegations of the individual lawsuits filed against J&J. They assert that the company acted negligently in failing to warn of the possibility of ovarian carcinoma due to talcum-powder, and that this was an infraction to the law of the state.
J&J has resubmitted its motion to dismiss the lawsuits to another bankruptcy court. A hearing has been scheduled for June to decide whether the lawsuits against J&J will be allowed to proceed. If you or someone you love is diagnosed with mesothelioma or other disease which could be caused by talcum powder you should seek legal advice immediately. Our skilled lawyers will assist you in getting the compensation you deserve.