Mesothelioma Lawyer Files Talc Lawsuit Against Johnson & Johnson
A 24-year-old with pericardial msothelioma claims that Johnson & Johnson baby powder is responsible for his cancer. The Oakland mesothelioma case is the first trial to take place since J&J spun off its Talc business and filed for bankruptcy.
Earlier this year, jury awards in New Jersey and California led to large settlements in talc-related lawsuits. Plaintiffs 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 it can also be found in the abdomen and chest cavity. Asbestos is the most well-known cause of mesothelioma, and people who have been exposed to asbestos are at greater chance of developing the disease.
The first trial since J&J declared its Talcum Powder division bankrupt was opened this week and jurors in Oakland, California were emotional as they listened to the story of the plaintiff. In 2022, the plaintiff, who was only 24 years old at the time was diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma in the pericardium. He attributed his illness to the use of Johnson & Johnson baby powder. The jury awarded him $25 million.
J&J is accused of hiding asbestos-related risks from consumers for several decades. The company has a long history of concealing asbestos-related information from regulators, and paying for asbestos tests that gave the results they desired. A number of the company's talcum powder suppliers have been named in these lawsuits, including Whittaker, Clark & Daniels and Imerys Talc America.
Many women who used talcum powder to maintain feminine hygiene in the genital region or on sanitary napkins or condoms have developed an ovarian cancer and some have been diagnosed with mesothelioma. The lawsuits assert that J&J knew for more than 40 years that using the powder caused ovarian cancer and mesothelioma, but failed to warn customers of this danger.
Mesothelioma symptoms include breathing problems, chronic coughing, fatigue, abdominal pain and lumps or masses on the abdomen or chest. Doctors can identify the disease through a physical exam and imaging scans. These could include CT (computer tomography) scans, MRIs and PET or X-rays.
After a mesothelioma is diagnosed, patients can undergo surgery, chemotherapy or radiotherapy. The surgeons are able to remove the affected tissue, based on the location of the tumors. Some patients with mesothelioma have a life expectancy lower than five. However, aggressive treatments such as extracorporeal transplantation of tissue and the cytoreduction process using hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy can prolong the life of patients.
What Causes Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that is caused by DNA changes within a cell. These mutations cause uncontrolled cell growth that forms tumors in tissues. Asbestos is the most common cause of mesothelioma. Asbestos exposure can occur in a variety of industries, including mining, manufacturing and transportation. Asbestos can be exposed for 20 to 40 years prior to symptoms becoming apparent. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than women. It is also most often diagnosed in those between the ages 50 and 70. The type of mesothelioma that a person gets is often determined by the part of their body that were exposed to asbestos. Most people with mesothelioma are diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma which affects the lungs. Other patients are diagnosed with peritoneal msothelioma. This type of mesothelioma affects the abdomen. Some patients are diagnosed with pericardial mesothelioma. This is an extremely rare form of cancer that affects both the liner (pericardium) and the organ itself.
Mesothelioma symptoms include fatigue, shortness of breath, abdominal pain and weight loss. In the latter stages of mesothelioma the tumors may grow to other areas, causing severe discomfort and discomfort. Other common symptoms of mesothelioma include fluid on the lung (pleural effusion) loss of appetite, difficulty swallowing, and a blockage of the small intestine called a obstruction of the bowel. Mesothelioma is a debilitating illness that is usually 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 that talc contained asbestos and didn't warn consumers. They also cited a 1998 letter to an J&J executive that highlighted the possibility of asbestos in their products.
This is the latest in a long line of large verdicts against J&J. In March, a jury awarded $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 another case involving the same issue. In addition, seven cases were added to the powder's MDL over the course of the month and brought the total number of lawsuits pending to 37,522. The majority of these lawsuits involve women who used J&J's Talcum powder for feminine hygiene purposes.
How do I know whether I have mesothelioma not?
A diagnosis of mesothelioma is devastating. Patients should always consult a specialist to get the most accurate information possible and avoid misdiagnosis which could lead to unnecessary treatment or allow cancer to grow.
A physical examination and blood test can be a good start to identify whether mesothelioma is causing symptoms. These tests can detect asbestos fibers in the blood or to determine how well a patient's organs are functioning. The most reliable method to determine if mesothelioma has been detected is through a biopsy, where 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 is suffering from also affects the likelihood of a positive outcome. Pleural mesothelioma, which forms in the thin lining of the lungs, is the common form of the disease and accounts for the majority of diagnosed cases. Peritoneal cancer that develops in the lining of the abdomen, is a less common type. In addition, pericardial mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that is found in the lining of the heart. It only accounts for one percent of all cases.
The first signs include breathlessness which gets worse with time, and then coughing up blood. Asbestos sufferers may also experience fluid accumulation within the chest cavity. This condition is called pleural effusion. It can be removed by inserting a needle in the affected area of the chest cavity. In more severe cases doctors might perform pleurodesis. This is which is a procedure which seals the area in order to prevent the fluid from accumulating within the pleura.
concord mesothelioma lawsuit of mesothelioma is crucial to determine the rate of survival for a patient and treatment options. There are many options for treatment which include chemotherapy, surgery and radiation. Other options include immunotherapy which increases the immune system to fight mesothelioma as well as treatment fields for tumors that utilize a magnetic field in order to kill cancerous cells.
A specialist in mesothelioma can also assist patients in understanding the different mesothelioma cell types that determine how aggressive the cancer is and what the prognosis of the patient is. Patients should discuss their experience of exposure to asbestos with their doctor to determine if they're mesothelioma-related and find out what types of treatment might be available to them.
How Can I Get Help?
If you have used Johnson & Johnson talcum and you developed an ovarian disease or another such as mesothelioma following the use of the talcum powder, you could be eligible for significant compensation. Contact us today to receive an obligation-free, no-cost case evaluation. We can assist you in filing a mesothelioma lawsuit against J&J and hold J&J accountable for their wrongful conduct.
Mesothelioma is a rare and fatal disease caused by asbestos exposure is a rare condition. Asbestos used to be widely used in many consumer and industrial products including baby powder. In talcum-powder cases plaintiffs assert that asbestos exposure from inhaling the powder led to the development of mesothelioma or other health problems.
J&J did not inform 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 and compensatory damages against J&J. These lawsuits have been amalgamated into federal and state multidistrict litigations, or MDLs.
In 2018, one of the largest Talc cases resulted in a $4.7 billion verdict in the favor of the plaintiff. It was a national news story and set the tone for the rest. In the last month, a judge rejected a motion by J&J to dismiss the lawsuits filed by the state of Mississippi.
In an attempt to halt the lawsuit, J&J tried again. The company established an additional subsidiary entity to take on its talc liability and LTL Management filed for bankruptcy. The bankruptcy was able to halt thousands of talc lawsuits, however, the 3rd Circuit rejected this strategy.
The lawsuits filed by the state of Mississippi are based on the same allegations as the individual lawsuits against J&J: that the company's failure to warn consumers about the dangers of ovarian cancer caused by the talcum powder was negligent and violated the law of the state.
J&J has submitted its motion to dismiss lawsuits to another 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 mesothelioma, or any other condition that could be caused by talcum powder, you should seek legal representation immediately. Our skilled lawyers can help you receive compensation you deserve.