Mesothelioma Lawyer Files Talc Lawsuit Against Johnson & Johnson
A 24-year-old man with mesothelioma pericardial has claimed that Johnson & 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 beginning of the year, substantial settlements were made in talc cases in New Jersey and California. Plaintiffs attributed their cancer to asbestos in J&J's Shower to Baby and Shower Powder products.
What is Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma, which is a fatal type of cancer, affects the mesothelium or the lining surrounding organs and cavities within the body. It is most prevalent in the lungs, but it can be found in the chest and abdomen cavity. Asbestos, the only known cause of this disease, is asbestos. People who have been exposed to asbestos are at an increased risk of developing it.
The first trial following J&J declared bankruptcy on its talcum-powder division began in Oakland, California this week. Jurors were inspired by the story of the plaintiff. In 2022, the plaintiff who was just 24 years old at the time, old at the time was diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma of pericardium. He blamed the cause of his condition to his early use of Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder. The jury awarded him $25 million.
J&J has been accused of hiding asbestos risks from consumers for a number of years. J&J has a history of withholding asbestos findings from regulators, and even supplying asbestos tests to achieve the results it wanted. Coral Springs mesothelioma attorney of the company's talcum powder suppliers have been named in these lawsuits and include 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 gotten an ovarian cancer and some have been diagnosed with mesothelioma. The lawsuits assert 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 may include breathing problems, chronic coughing and abdominal pain, fatigue and lumps or masses on the abdomen or chest. Doctors can diagnose mesothelioma by a physical exam and imaging scans. These include CT scans (computer tomography), MRIs, PET or X rays.
When mesothelioma is discovered, patients can undergo chemotherapy, surgery, or radiotherapy. The surgeons can remove affected tissue based on the location of the tumors. Patients with mesothelioma can be given a life expectancy less than five years, however aggressive treatments like extracorporeal membrane transplant and cytoreduction by hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy can prolong the life expectancy.
What causes Mesothelioma?
Like many cancers, mesothelioma is caused by DNA mutations. These mutations can cause uncontrolled cell growth, which creates tumors in the tissues. Asbestos is the leading mesothelioma cause. Asbestos exposure can be found in a variety of industries, including mining, manufacturing and transportation. Asbestos is usually exposed for 20 to 40 years prior to symptoms appearing. Mesothelioma is more common in males than women, and it is most often diagnosed in people in their 50s to 70s. The type of asbestos-related mesothelioma that a person develops is usually determined by the place on their body they were exposed. The majority of mesothelioma patients are diagnosed with pleural msothelioma which affects the lung. Others are diagnosed with peritoneal melanoma, a type of mesothelioma that affects the abdomen. Some patients are diagnosed with pericardial mesothelioma. This is an extremely rare form of the disease which affects both the inner lining (pericardium) and the organ itself.
Mesothelioma symptoms include fatigue, shortness of breath and abdominal pain, as well as weight loss. In the last stages of mesothelioma, the tumors can spread to other parts that cause severe discomfort and pain. Other symptoms of mesothelioma include fluid in the lungs, loss of appetite, difficulty eating and swallowing. Mesothelioma is a fatal illness, and it is usually fatal.
The trial involving talcum powder in Oakland involved a man aged 24 who was diagnosed with pericardial cancer due to the use of J&J baby powder. His lawyers argued that J&J knew that talc contained asbestos, but did not inform customers. They also cited a 1998 letter to an J&J executive that revealed asbestos could be present in their products.
This is the latest in a series of major 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 new cases were added to the talcum powder 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 have used J&J's talcum powder to wash their feminine hygiene.
How can I tell whether I have mesothelioma or not?
A diagnosis of mesothelioma is devastating. Patients should always consult an expert for the most accurate information available and avoid misdiagnosis that could result in unneeded treatment and allow cancer to spread more.
A physical examination and blood test could be an effective way to determine whether mesothelioma has caused symptoms. These tests can be used to determine the presence of asbestos fibers in blood or to determine the extent to which a patient's organs are functioning. The most accurate way to diagnose mesothelioma is by biopsy, which is when doctors remove fluid or tissue from the affected area and examine the area under a microscope to search for mesothelioma cancer cells.
The type of mesothelioma that a person has also affects the prognosis of their patient. Pleural mesothelioma, which forms in the thin lining around the lung, is the most common form of mesothelioma and accounts for the majority of cases diagnosed. Peritoneal mesothelioma, a cancer that forms in the lining of the abdomen, is less common. Lastly, pericardial msothelioma is a rare kind that develops in the lining of the heart. It's only 1percent of all cases.
Some of the earliest symptoms include breathlessness that becomes worse over time and coughing up blood. Asbestos patients may also experience fluid accumulation within the chest cavity. This is known as pleural effusion. It can be removed by inserting a needle into the affected region of the chest cavity. In more severe cases, doctors might use a procedure known as pleurodesis to seal the space to prevent the reaccumulation 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. Treatment options include chemotherapy, surgery, 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 uses an electromagnetic field to kill cancerous cells.
A specialist in mesothelioma can help patients understand the different mesothelioma cell types that determine how aggressive the cancer is and what the patient's prognosis is. Patients should discuss with their physician their experience with 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 you developed an ovarian disease or another like mesothelioma after using the powder, you may be entitled to a substantial amount of compensation. Contact us today for an absolutely free assessment of your case. We can help you file mesothelioma claims against J&J and hold J&J accountable for their negligence.
Mesothelioma is a rare but fatal disease that is caused by asbestos exposure. Asbestos was once used extensively in a variety of industrial and consumer 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 allegedly knew about the risk of asbestos and talcum powder for decades but failed to warn consumers. Plaintiffs have filed lawsuits seeking punitive damages as well as compensatory damages against J&J. These lawsuits have been consolidated in 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. This was a major news story that set the stage for the rest. In the last month, a judge denied J&J's motion to dismiss the lawsuits brought by the state.
J&J, however, tried to stop the litigation. LTL Management, a subsidiary of J&J has filed for bankruptcy after the company incorporated a new entity to assume its liabilities. The bankruptcy stopped thousands of talc lawsuits, however, the 3rd Circuit rejected this strategy.
The lawsuits brought by the state of Mississippi are founded on the same allegations that were a part of the individual lawsuits filed against J&J that claim that the company's inability to warn of the dangers of ovarian cancer from the talcum powder was negligent and constituted violations of the law of the state.
J&J has filed a motion to dismiss lawsuits before a different bankruptcy court. A hearing is scheduled for June to determine whether the lawsuits against J&J will be allowed to proceed. If you or someone near you has been diagnosed with mesothelioma or another condition that could have been caused talcum powder. You should seek legal advice as soon as possible. Our skilled lawyers can assist you in obtaining the justice you deserve.