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 to blame for his cancer. The Oakland mesothelioma case is the first one to be held since J&J has dissolved its talc business and filed for bankruptcy.
Earlier this year, jury awards in New Jersey and California led to large settlements in talc lawsuits. Plaintiffs linked cancer to asbestos found in J&J products Shower to Shower and baby powder.
What is Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma, a deadly type of cancer is a disease of the mesothelium the lining surrounding organs and cavities within the body. 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, which is the only known cause of this disease is asbestos. People who have been exposed are at chance of developing it.
The first trial since J&J declared its talcum powder division bankrupt opened this week and jurors in Oakland, California were emotional as they listened to the plaintiff's story. In 2022, the plaintiff, who was only 24 years old at the time, old at the time, was diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma of the pericardium. The plaintiff attributed his condition to childhood use of Johnson & Johnson baby powder. The jury awarded him $26 million.
J&J has been accused of concealing asbestos risks from consumers for a long time. The company has a history of withholding asbestos findings from regulators and funding asbestos tests to generate the results it wanted. Some of the company's Talcum powder suppliers have been named in these lawsuits which include Whittaker, Clark & Daniels and Imerys Talc America.
Women who used talcum for feminine hygiene on pads or condoms, or in the genital region have developed ovarian and mesothelioma. The lawsuits claim that J&J was aware for more than forty years that the powder could trigger ovarian cancer and other diseases, but failed to warn consumers.
Mesothelioma symptoms can include difficulty breathing, persistent coughing, fatigue, abdominal pain and lumps or masses on the chest or abdomen. Doctors can diagnose the disease by a physical 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. The surgeons can remove affected tissue depending on the location of the tumors. Patients with mesothelioma are sometimes given a life expectancy of less than five years, however aggressive treatments such as extracorporeal membrane transplant and cytoreduction with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy can prolong the life expectancy.
What is the cause of Mesothelioma?
Like most cancers, mesothelioma occurs by DNA mutations. These mutations cause uncontrolled cell growth, which forms tumors in tissues. Asbestos is the most frequent cause of mesothelioma. Asbestos exposure can be found in many different industries including manufacturing, mining, and transportation. Asbestos can be exposed for between 20 and 40 years prior to the onset of symptoms becoming apparent. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma compared to women. It is also diagnosed most often among those between the ages 50 and 70. The type of asbestos-related mesothelioma that a person develops is often determined by the location on their body they were exposed. The majority of people diagnosed with mesothelioma are diagnosed with pleural melanoma, which affects the lung. Others are diagnosed with peritoneal melanoma, a type of mesothelioma that affects the abdomen. In addition, some individuals are diagnosed with pericardial melanoma, an extremely rare type of the disease that affects the lining of the heart (pericardium) and the organ itself.
The symptoms of mesothelioma are fatigue, shortness of breath, abdominal pain and weight loss. In the late mesothelioma stages, the tumors can spread to other areas of the body, creating severe pain and discomfort. Other symptoms that are common to mesothelioma include fluid on the lungs (pleural effusion) loss of appetite, difficulty swallowing and a blockage in the small intestine referred to as a obstruction in the bowel. Mesothelioma is a terminal disease, and can be fatal.
The talcum-powder trial in Oakland involved an individual of 24 who developed pericardial mesothelioma as a result of using J&J baby powder. His lawyers argued that J&J knew that talc was contaminated with asbestos, but didn't warn customers. They also cited an 1998 letter addressed to a J&J executive that revealed the possibility of asbestos being 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 to a woman. Last month, another jury in Missouri awarded $55 Million in a similar case. Seven new cases have been added to the MDL talcum-powder over the past month, which brings the total to 37,522 the number of pending suits. The majority of these lawsuits involve women who used J&J's Talcum powder for feminine hygiene purposes.
How Do I Know If I Have Mesothelioma?
A diagnosis of mesothelioma is devastating. Patients should always seek out a specialist to ensure the most accurate diagnosis and to prevent false diagnosis, which could lead to unnecessary treatment and cancer spreading.
A physical exam and a blood sample can help identify mesothelioma-related symptoms. These tests can detect asbestos fibers in blood or to determine the extent to which a patient's organs are functioning. The most precise method to identify mesothelioma is with a biopsy, in which 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 affect his or her prognosis. Pleural mesothelioma, the most common type of the disease, and accounts for the majority of cases diagnosed. Peritoneal mesothelioma, a cancer that develops in the lining of the abdomen, is less common. The pericardial msothelioma, in turn, is a rare kind that is found in the lining of the heart. It's only one percent of all cases.
A shortness of breath that is more severe with time, and bloody coughing are a few of the initial symptoms. Asbestos patients may also experience fluid accumulation in the chest cavity. This condition is called pleural effusion. The fluid can be removed from the chest cavity by inserting an needle into the area affected. In YouTube , doctors may perform pleurodesis, a procedure which seals the area to stop fluid from accumulating again in the pleura.
Getting an accurate mesothelioma diagnosis is the most reliable way to determine a patient's treatment options as well as their survival rate. There are a variety of options for treatment that include surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. Other options include immunotherapy, which is a kind of treatment that increases the immune system to fight mesothelioma cells and tumor-removing fields, which employ the power of magnets to kill cancerous cells.
A mesothelioma specialist who is specialized can also assist patients in understanding the various mesothelioma types which determine how invasive the cancer is and what the prognosis for the patient is. Patients should discuss their history of asbestos exposure with their doctor to determine if they're a mesothelioma candidate and find out what types of treatment are available to them.
How Can I Get Help?
If you've used Johnson & Johnson talcum powder and have been diagnosed with ovarian cancer or a different illness such as mesothelioma, you could be entitled to significant compensation. Contact us now for a no-cost, non- obligation case assessment. We can help you file mesothelioma lawsuits against J&J and hold them accountable for their wrongful conduct.
Mesothelioma, an uncommon and fatal illness caused by asbestos exposure, is a rare disease. Asbestos was widely utilized in a variety of industrial and consumer products like baby powder. In talcum-powder lawsuits, plaintiffs claim that exposure to asbestos through inhalation of the powder led to the development of mesothelioma, or other health issues.
J&J believed to have known about the dangers of asbestos and talcum powder for decades, but did not warn consumers. Plaintiffs have filed mesothelioma lawsuits against the firm seeking damages for punitive and compensatory. These lawsuits have been amalgamated into federal and state multidistrict litigations or MDLs.
In 2018, one of the largest trial involving talc resulted in an $4.7 billion verdict for the plaintiff. This made national headlines and set a tone for the rest of the litigation. Last month, a court denied J&J's motion to dismiss the lawsuits brought by the state.
J&J however, attempted again to halt the litigation. LTL Management, a subsidiary of J&J was forced to file for bankruptcy after the company created an entity that would take on its obligations. The bankruptcy stopped hundreds of talc suits however, the 3rd Circuit rejected that strategy.
The lawsuits brought by the state of Mississippi are founded on the same allegations that were a part of the individual lawsuits brought against J&J that claim that the company's failure to warn consumers about the dangers of ovarian cancer caused by talcum powder was negligent, and constituted violations of the law of the state.
J&J has submitted its motion to dismiss lawsuits to another bankruptcy court. A hearing is scheduled for June to determine if the lawsuits against J&J will be allowed to continue. If you or someone near you has been diagnosed with mesothelioma or another condition that could be the result of talcum powder. You should seek legal counsel immediately. Our lawyers are experienced and can help you receive the compensation you're entitled to.