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 case marks the first trial that has been held since J&J filed for bankruptcy and split off its Talc division.
In the spring of this year, jury awards in New Jersey and California led to massive settlements in talc lawsuits. Plaintiffs linked their cancer to asbestos in J&J's Shower Shower and Baby Powder products.
What is Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma, which is a fatal form of cancer is a disease of the mesothelium the lining that surrounds organs and cavities inside the body. It is most prevalent in the lungs, but can also 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 risk of developing it.
The first trial since J&J declared bankruptcy on its talcum powder division began in Oakland, California this week. Jurors were inspired by 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 is accused of hiding asbestos-related risks from consumers for many 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. 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 for feminine hygiene, such as sanitary pads or condoms as well as in the genital region have developed ovarian and mesothelioma. The lawsuits assert that J&J knew for more than 40 years that the powder could cause mesothelioma and ovarian cancer, however, they failed to warn consumers of the danger.
Mesothelioma symptoms can include breathing problems, chronic coughing and abdominal pain, fatigue and lumps or masses on the chest or abdomen. Doctors can diagnose mesothelioma through an examination and imaging scans. These include CT scans (computer tomography), MRIs, PET or X rays.
After a mesothelioma is diagnosed patients may undergo surgery, chemotherapy or radiotherapy. Depending on the location of their tumors, surgeons might be able to remove the affected tissue. Certain patients with mesothelioma have a life expectancy less than five. However aggressive treatments like extracorporeal transplantation of tissue and cytoreduction using hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy can prolong the life of patients.
What is the cause of Mesothelioma?
Like most cancers, mesothelioma occurs by DNA mutations. These mutations cause the cells to multiply uncontrollably, forming tumors in the tissues of the body. Asbestos is a frequent cause of mesothelioma. Asbestos exposure can occur in a variety of industries such as manufacturing, mining, and transportation. Asbestos can be exposed for between 20 and 40 years before symptoms developing. Mesothelioma is more prevalent in men than women, and is most commonly diagnosed in those in their 50s and 70s. The kind of mesothelioma involving asbestos that a person develops is often determined by the place on their body they were exposed. The majority of people diagnosed with mesothelioma are diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma, which affects the lungs. Some are diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma, which is a mesothelioma type that affects the abdomen. In addition, some individuals are diagnosed with pericardial mesothelioma, an extremely rare form of the disease that affects the heart's lining (pericardium) and the organ itself.
Insomnia, fatigue and abdominal pain are all signs of mesothelioma. In Santa Fe mesothelioma lawsuits , the tumors can spread to different parts of the body, causing severe discomfort and pain. Other signs of mesothelioma are fluid in the lung, a loss of appetite and difficulty swallowing and eating. Mesothelioma can be fatal.
The talcum powder trial in Oakland involved a 24-year-old man who was diagnosed with pericardial cancer due to the use of J&J baby powder. His lawyers argued that J&J knew talc could contain asbestos and didn't warn consumers. They also cited a 1998 letter sent to a J&J executive, revealing the possibility of asbestos being present in their products.
This is only the latest in a string of major verdicts against J&J. In March, J&J's Talcum powder caused ovarian mesothelioma in one woman. In the same month, a jury in Missouri awarded $55 million in an identical case. Seven new cases have been added to the MDL talcum-powder in the last month, bringing it to 37,522 the number of lawsuits pending. The majority of these lawsuits concern women who have used J&J's talcum powder to wash their feminine hygiene.
How do I know if I Have Mesothelioma?
A diagnosis of mesothelioma is devastating. Patients should always see a specialist to get the most accurate information available and prevent misdiagnosis that could lead to unnecessary treatment and allow cancer to spread more.
A physical examination and a blood sample can aid in identifying mesothelioma-related symptoms. These tests can be used to check for asbestos fibers in blood or the health of a patient's internal organs. The most accurate method of diagnosing mesothelioma is taking a biopsy. Doctors extract tissues or fluids from the affected area, and then look at them under a microscope for mesothelioma cancerous cells.
The type of mesothelioma that is present in a patient can affect his or her prognosis. Pleural mesothelioma, the most commonly encountered type of disease and accounts for the majority of cases diagnosed. Peritoneal mesothelioma, a cancer that forms in the lining of the abdomen is less prevalent. Lastly, pericardial msothelioma is a rare type that is found in the lining of the heart. It is only one percent of all cases.
Some of the first symptoms include breathlessness 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 area of the chest cavity. In more severe cases doctors might perform pleurodesis. This is an operation that seals the cavity to stop fluid from accumulating again in the pleura.
A reliable diagnosis of mesothelioma is essential to determining the patient's survival rate as well as treatment options. There are a variety of options for treatment which include chemotherapy, surgery and radiation. Other options include immunotherapy, which increases the immune system to fight mesothelioma and cancer treating fields that employ a magnetic field in order to kill cancerous cells.
A mesothelioma specialist may also assist patients in understanding the various mesothelioma cell types that determine the extent of the cancer and the outlook for patients. Patients should discuss with their physician their history of asbestos exposure to determine if mesothelioma is possible and what treatment options are available.
How Can I Get Help?
If you have used Johnson & Johnson talcum powder and developed ovarian cancer or another illness like mesothelioma, you could be eligible for substantial compensation. Contact us today to receive an obligation-free, no-cost case evaluation. We can assist you in filing mesothelioma lawsuits against J&J and make them accountable for their negligence.
Mesothelioma, a rare and fatal disease caused by asbestos exposure is a rare condition. Asbestos was a time when it was widely used in a range of industrial and consumer products including baby powder. The plaintiffs in talcum powder cases claim that inhaling talcum powder led to their asbestos exposure and subsequently mesothelioma as well as other health issues.
J&J was allegedly aware of the risk of asbestos and talcum powder for a long time, but failed to warn consumers. Plaintiffs have filed lawsuits seeking punitive damages as well as compensatory damages against J&J. These claims have been consolidated in state and federal multidistrict lawsuits, or MDLs.
In 2018, one of the first large trial involving talc resulted in a $4.7 billion verdict for the plaintiff. The news made headlines across the country and set the stage for the rest of the litigation. Last month, a judge ruled against a motion by J&J to dismiss the lawsuits filed by the state of Mississippi.
J&J, however, tried to stop the litigation. The company established an entity that was a subsidiary to take over its talc liabilities and LTL Management filed for bankruptcy. The bankruptcy was able to halt the talc lawsuits of thousands, however, the 3rd Circuit rejected this strategy.
The lawsuits brought by Mississippi are based upon the same allegations that are in the background of the individual lawsuits brought against J&J. They assert that the company was negligent in not warning of the risk of ovarian carcinoma from talcum powder and that this constituted an infraction to 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 in order to determine whether the lawsuits against J&J will be allowed to proceed. If you or someone you love is diagnosed with mesothelioma or another condition that could be caused by talcum powder you should seek legal advice immediately. Our experienced attorneys can help you receive compensation that you deserve.