Mesothelioma Lawyer Files Talc Lawsuit Against Johnson & Johnson
A man who is 24 years old and has pericardial mesotheliom claims that Johnson & Johnson baby powder is responsible for his cancer. The Oakland mesothelioma trial is the first trial to take place since J&J has dissolved its talc business and filed for bankruptcy.
This year, juries awards in New Jersey and California led to big settlements in talc-related lawsuits. Plaintiffs linked cancer to asbestos that was found 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 most often found in the lungs, but it can also be found in the abdomen, the heart and chest cavity as well as testicles. Asbestos, the only known cause of this disease, is asbestos. People who have been exposed are at an increased risk of developing it.
The first trial since J&J declared its Talcum Powder division bankrupt was opened this week and jurors in Oakland, California were emotional when they heard the story of the plaintiff. The plaintiff, who is only 24 years old, was diagnosed with malignant pericardial cancer in 2022. The plaintiff attributed his condition to the use of Johnson & Johnson baby powder. The jury awarded him $26 million.
J&J has been accused of obfuscating asbestos-related risks from consumers for a number of years. The company has a long tradition of concealing asbestos-related information from regulators, and even paying for asbestos tests that produced the results they wanted. These lawsuits have named several of the company's suppliers of talcum powder which include Whittaker Clark & Daniels, Imerys Talc America, and other companies.
Many women who used talcum powder for feminine hygiene in the genital region or on sanitary napkins, or condoms have developed cancer of the ovary, and a few have been diagnosed with mesothelioma. The lawsuits allege that J&J knew for more than 40 years that the powder could cause ovarian cancer and mesothelioma, however, they failed to warn consumers of the danger.
Mesothelioma symptoms may include difficulty breathing, persistent coughing, fatigue, abdominal pain and lumps or masses on the chest or abdomen. Doctors can diagnose the disease through a physical examination and imaging scans. These could include CT (computer tomography) scans, MRIs and PET or X-rays.
When a mesothelioma diagnosis is confirmed, patients can undergo surgery, chemotherapy and/or radiation. The surgeons are able to remove the affected tissue, based on the location of the tumors. Certain patients with mesothelioma have a life expectancy lower than five. However, aggressive treatments such as extracorporeal tissue transplantation or the cytoreduction process using hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy can prolong the duration of survival.
What is the cause of Mesothelioma?
Like all cancers, mesothelioma occurs when a cell's DNA experiences mutations. The mutations cause the cells to multiply uncontrollably, forming tumors in the tissues of the body. Asbestos is the most common cause of mesothelioma. Exposure to asbestos can occur at work in a variety of industries such as manufacturing, mining construction, transportation and construction. Asbestos exposure is typically seen 20 to 40 years prior to the time symptoms begin to manifest. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma compared to women. It is also most often diagnosed in people between the ages of 50 and 70. The type of mesothelioma a person is usually determined by the area of their body in which they were exposed to asbestos. Most mesothelioma patients are diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma that affects the lung. Others are diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma, which is a mesothelioma type that affects the abdomen. Some patients are diagnosed with pericardial msothelioma. This is an extremely rare type of disease that affects both the inner lining (pericardium), and the organ itself.
Shortness of breath, fatigue and abdominal pain are all symptoms of mesothelioma. In the latter stages of mesothelioma, the tumors may grow to other areas, causing severe discomfort and pain. Richardson mesothelioma lawsuit that are common to mesothelioma are fluid on the lung (pleural effusion) and a loss of appetite, difficulties swallowing and a blockage within the small intestine referred to as a obstruction in the bowel. Mesothelioma is a terminal disease, and is often fatal.
The talcum-powder case in Oakland involved a man of 24 years old who developed pericardial msothelioma following the use of 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 an J&J executive which revealed asbestos could be present in their products.
This is the latest in a string of large verdicts against J&J. In March, a jury awarded $18.8 million to a woman who contracted mesothelioma ovarian from J&J's talcum powder. Then, last month the jury in Missouri awarded $55 million in a different case that dealt with the same issue. In addition, seven new cases were added to the talcum powder MDL over the course of the month, bringing the total number of pending lawsuits to 37,522. The majority of these lawsuits involve women who used J&J's Talcum powder for feminine hygiene reasons.
How can I tell whether I have mesothelioma not?
The diagnosis of mesothelioma could be devastating. Patients should always consult a specialist to get the most accurate information available and avoid misdiagnosis which could result in unneeded treatment and allow cancer to spread more.
A physical examination and blood test can be an excellent 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 way in which the organs of a patient are functioning. The most accurate way to determine if mesothelioma has been detected is through a biopsy, where doctors remove fluid or tissue from the affected area, and then examine it under a microscope in order to detect mesothelioma-related cells.
The type of mesothelioma a person has can also influence the prognosis of a patient. Pleural mesothelioma, the most commonly encountered type of disease and is responsible for the majority of cases diagnosed. Peritoneal cancer that develops in the lining surrounding the abdomen is a less prevalent type. Finally, pericardial mesothelioma, an uncommon type that develops in the heart's lining, is more rare and only represents about 1percent of cases.
The first signs include shortness of breath that gets worse over time, and then coughing up blood. Asbestos patients may 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 use a procedure known as pleurodesis, which seals the area to prevent the reaccumulation in the pleura.
A precise diagnosis of mesothelioma is crucial to determine a patient's survival rate and treatment options. There are a myriad of treatments available, including surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. There are also immunotherapy treatments that boosts the immune systems to fight mesothelioma and cancer treating fields that employ the power of magnets to kill cancerous cell.
A specialist in mesothelioma can also assist patients in understanding the various mesothelioma types that determine how aggressive the cancer is and what the prognosis of the patient is. Patients should discuss with their doctor their experiences with asbestos exposure to determine whether mesothelioma could be a possibility and what treatment options are available.
How Can I get help?
If you've 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 entitled to a substantial amount of compensation. Contact us today to receive a no-obligation, free case evaluation. We can assist you in bringing a mesothelioma suit against J&J to hold them accountable for negligence.
Mesothelioma is a rare, but fatal illness that is caused by asbestos exposure. Asbestos was once used extensively in a variety of consumer and industrial products including baby powder. Plaintiffs in talcum powder cases claim that inhaling talcum powder caused to asbestos exposure, which contributed to mesothelioma and other health problems.
J&J was allegedly aware of the risk of asbestos and talcum powder for decades but failed to warn consumers. Plaintiffs have filed mesothelioma lawsuits against the company seeking compensatory and punitive damages. These claims have been consolidated into state and federal multidistrict litigations, also known as 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 and set a tone for the rest of the litigation. Last month, a judge rejected the motion of J&J to dismiss the lawsuits brought by the state of Mississippi.
However, in an effort to derail the lawsuit, J&J tried again. The company set up an additional subsidiary entity to take on its talc liability, and LTL Management filed for bankruptcy. The bankruptcy stopped hundreds of talc suits but the 3rd Circuit rejected that strategy.
The lawsuits filed by Mississippi are based on the same allegations as those of the individual lawsuits brought against J&J. They claim that the company acted negligently in failing to warn of the risk of ovarian carcinoma from talcum-powder and that this resulted in an infraction of the law of the state.
J&J has submitted its motion to dismiss the lawsuits to another bankruptcy court. A hearing has been scheduled for June to determine whether the lawsuits against J&J will be allowed to proceed. If you or someone around you has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, or any other condition that could have been caused by talcum powder. You should seek legal advice as soon as possible. Our skilled attorneys can assist you in obtaining the compensation you deserve.