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 case is the first trial that has been held since J&J filed for bankruptcy and spun off its Talc division.
Earlier this year, jury awards in New Jersey and California led to big settlements in talc-related lawsuits. Plaintiffs attributed cancer to asbestos that was found in J&J products Shower to Shower and baby powder.
What is Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is a lethal form of cancer is a disease of the mesothelium lining around organs and cavities inside the body. It is most common in the lungs but can be located in the chest and abdomen cavity. laguna niguel mesothelioma lawyer is the most well-known mesothelioma-related cause, and people who have been exposed to asbestos are at a higher risk of developing this disease.
The first trial following J&J declared bankruptcy over 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 mesothelioma in 2022. He attributed his illness to childhood exposure to Johnson & Johnson baby powder. The jury awarded him $26 million.
J&J has been accused of obfuscating asbestos-related risks from consumers for a long time. The company has a long history of obstructing asbestos research from regulators and even funding asbestos tests to get the results it wanted. A number of the company's talcum powder suppliers have been named in these lawsuits and include Whittaker, Clark & Daniels and Imerys Talc America.
Some women who used talcum to provide feminine hygiene on sanitary pads or condoms as well as in the genital area have been diagnosed with mesothelioma and ovarian cancer. The lawsuits assert that J&J knew for more than 40 years that the powder caused ovarian cancer and mesothelioma, however, they failed to warn consumers of this risk.
Mesothelioma symptoms include difficulty breathing, persistent coughing, abdominal pain, fatigue and lumps or masses on the chest or abdomen. Doctors can detect mesothelioma with an examination and imaging scans. These include CT scans (computer tomography), MRIs, PET or X-rays.
After a mesothelioma is diagnosed patients can undergo surgery, chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy. Depending on the location of their tumors surgeons may be able to remove the affected tissue. Patients with mesothelioma may be given a life expectancy less than five years. However, aggressive treatments like extracorporeal membrane transplant and cytoreduction with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy may prolong the life expectancy.
What causes Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that is caused by DNA changes in a cell. The mutations cause the cells to multiply in uncontrolled ways, forming tumors in the tissues of the body. Asbestos is the most common cause of mesothelioma. Asbestos exposure can be found in a variety of industries such as manufacturing, mining, and transportation. Asbestos is typically exposed 20 to 40 years prior to symptoms appearing. Mesothelioma is more prevalent in men than women, and is most often diagnosed in people who are in their 50s to 70s. The type of mesothelioma that a person is usually determined by the area of their body in which they were exposed to asbestos. The majority of mesothelioma patients are diagnosed with pleural msothelioma which affects the lung. Others are diagnosed with peritoneal melanoma, which is a mesothelioma type that affects the abdomen. Some patients are diagnosed with pericardial mesothelioma. This is a rare form of the disease which affects both the lining (pericardium) as well as the organ itself.
Mesothelioma symptoms include fatigue, breathlessness abdominal pain and weight loss. In the last stages of mesothelioma, tumors can expand to other parts of the body which can cause extreme discomfort and pain. Other typical symptoms of mesothelioma include fluid on the lungs (pleural effusion) and a loss of appetite, difficulty swallowing and a blockage in the small intestine called a obstruction of the bowel. Mesothelioma can be fatal.
The talcum powder trial in Oakland involved a 24-year-old man who developed pericardial mesothelioma from 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 from 1998 to an J&J executive which revealed the possibility of asbestos in their products.
This is only the latest in a series of large verdicts against J&J. In March, J&J's Talcum powder caused ovarian mesothelioma to a woman. In the same month, a jury in Missouri awarded $55 Million in a similar case. In addition, seven cases were added to the talcum powder MDL in the last month and brought the total number of pending lawsuits to 37,522. The majority of these lawsuits concern women who used J&J's talcum powder for feminine hygiene reasons.
How do I know If I Have Mesothelioma?
A diagnosis of mesothelioma may be devastating. Patients should consult an expert to obtain the most accurate information possible and avoid misdiagnosis which could lead to unnecessary treatment or allow cancer to spread more.
A physical examination and a blood test is an excellent way to determine whether mesothelioma is causing symptoms. These tests can detect the presence of asbestos fibers in blood or to assess how well a patient's organs are functioning. The most precise method to diagnose mesothelioma is by biopsy, which is when doctors remove tissue or fluid from the affected area, and then examine it under a microscope to look for mesothelioma cells.
The type of mesothelioma that a person has also affects the prognosis of their patient. Pleural mesothelioma is by far the most prevalent type of disease, and accounts for the majority of cases diagnosed. Peritoneal mesothelioma, a cancer that forms in the abdomen's lining is less prevalent. Finally, pericardial mesothelioma, an uncommon type that develops in the heart's lining is more rare and only represents around 1% of cases.
Some of the first symptoms include a shortness of breath that gets worse over time and coughing up blood. Asbestos patients can also experience fluid accumulation within the chest cavity. This is known as Pleural effusion. It can be removed by inserting a needle in the affected region of the chest cavity. In more serious cases, doctors can undergo a procedure called pleurodesis to seal the space to stop the reaccumulation of fluid in the pleura.
A precise diagnosis of mesothelioma is essential to determining the rate of survival for a patient and treatment options. Surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation are all options. There are also immunotherapy treatments that increases the immune system to fight mesothelioma as well as cancer treating fields that employ the power of magnets to kill cancerous cell.
A specialized mesothelioma specialist can also assist patients in understanding the various mesothelioma types, which determine how aggressive the cancer is and what the prognosis for the patient is. Patients should discuss with their doctor their experience with asbestos exposure to determine if mesothelioma is possible and what treatment options are available.
How Can I get help?
If you've used Johnson & Johnson talcum powder and developed ovarian cancer or another disease such as mesothelioma or other cancers, you could be entitled to significant compensation. Contact us today for an obligation-free, no-cost consultation. We can help you file a mesothelioma lawsuit against J&J and hold 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. Plaintiffs in talcum powder lawsuits claim that inhaling talcum powder caused to asbestos exposure which led to mesothelioma and other health problems.
J&J did not inform the public about the dangers of talcum and asbestos even though they were aware of them for decades. Plaintiffs have filed lawsuits seeking punitive damages as well as compensatory damages against the company. These lawsuits have been consolidated in state and federal multidistrict lawsuits, also known as MDLs.
In 2018 one of the biggest Talc cases resulted in a $4.7 billion verdict in the favor of the plaintiff. This was a national news story that set the precedent for the rest. Last month, a judge denied a request by J&J to dismiss the lawsuits filed by the state of Mississippi.
J&J, however, tried to stop the litigation. The company created an additional subsidiary entity to assume its talc liabilities, and LTL Management filed for bankruptcy. The bankruptcy stopped the talc lawsuits of thousands, however, the 3rd Circuit rejected this strategy.
The lawsuits brought by Mississippi are based on the same allegations as those of the individual lawsuits brought against J&J. They allege that the company was negligent in failing to warn of the risk of ovarian carcinoma due to talcum-powder, and that this resulted in a violation of state law.
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 you know has been diagnosed with mesothelioma or another condition which could be caused by talcum powder you should seek legal assistance immediately. Our skilled lawyers can help you receive compensation you deserve.