Mesothelioma Lawyer Files Talc Lawsuit Against Johnson & Johnson
A man aged 24 with pericardial mesothelioma has alleged Johnson and Johnson's baby powder was responsible for his cancer. The Oakland mesothelioma trial is the first one to be held since J&J has dissolved its Talc business and filed for bankruptcy.
In the early part of the year, huge settlements were reached in talc suits in New Jersey and California. Plaintiffs blamed their cancer on asbestos in J&J's Shower to Baby and Shower Powder products.
What is Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is a fatal form of cancer that affects mesothelium or lining that surrounds organs and body cavities. It is usually found in the lungs, but it can also occur in the abdomen, the heart, chest cavity and testicles. Asbestos, the sole known cause of this disease, is asbestos. People who have been exposed are at risk 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 testimony of the plaintiff. In 2022, the plaintiff who was only 24 years old at the time was diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma of the pericardium. The plaintiff attributed his condition to childhood exposure to Johnson & Johnson baby powder. The jury awarded him $26 million.
J&J has been accused of obfuscating asbestos risks from consumers for a long time. The company has a long tradition of keeping asbestos information from regulators, and paying for asbestos tests that produced the results they wanted. The lawsuits have identified a number of the talcum-powder suppliers for the company which include Whittaker Clark & Daniels, Imerys Talc America, and others.
Women who used talcum to provide feminine hygiene, such as sanitary pads or condoms or in the genital area have been diagnosed with mesothelioma and ovarian cancer. 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 include breathing problems, chronic coughing abdominal pain, fatigue, and lumps or masses on the abdomen or chest. Doctors can detect mesothelioma with a physical exam and imaging scans. They can include CT (computer tomography) scans, MRIs and PET or X-rays.
When mesothelioma is discovered, 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 have a life expectancy less than five. However, aggressive treatments such as extracorporeal transplantation of tissue and chemotherapy for cytoreduction that uses hyperthermic intraperitoneal therapy can prolong survival.
What Causes Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma, like most cancers is caused by DNA mutations in a cell. These mutations cause uncontrolled cell growth that forms tumors in tissues. Asbestos is the most common cause of mesothelioma. Asbestos exposure can occur in a variety of industries, including manufacturing, mining, and transportation. Asbestos exposure is typically seen 20 to 40 years prior to the time symptoms begin to manifest. Mesothelioma affects men more than women, and is usually diagnosed in those in their 50s and 70s. The type of mesothelioma that a person gets is often determined by the region of their body where they were exposed to asbestos. The majority of people diagnosed with mesothelioma are diagnosed with pleural melanoma, which affects the lung. Others are diagnosed with peritoneal melanoma, which is a mesothelioma type that affects the abdomen. Additionally, some patients are diagnosed with pericardial mesothelioma. It is an extremely rare form of the disease that affects the heart's lining (pericardium) and the organ itself.
Mesothelioma symptoms include fatigue, breathlessness abdominal pain and weight loss. In the last stages of mesothelioma, tumors can grow to other areas which can cause extreme discomfort and pain. Other common symptoms of mesothelioma are fluid on the lung (pleural effusion), loss of appetite, difficulties swallowing, and a blockage of the small intestine called a bowel obstruction. Mesothelioma is a fatal illness that is usually fatal.
The talcum-powder case in Oakland involved an individual of 24 who developed pericardial msothelioma following the use of J&J baby powder. His lawyers argued that the company knew talc could contain asbestos, but didn't inform consumers. They also cited a 1998 letter addressed to a J&J executive revealing the possibility of asbestos being present in their products.
This is the latest in a series of large verdicts against J&J. In March the jury awarded $18.8 million to a woman who contracted ovarian mesothelioma from J&J's talcum powder. Last month a jury in Missouri awarded $55 million in another case that involved the same issue. In addition, seven cases were added to the powder's MDL over the last month, bringing the total number of lawsuits pending to 37,522. Most of these lawsuits were filed by women who used J&J talcum powder to maintain feminine hygiene.
How Can I tell whether I have mesothelioma not?
A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be devastating. Patients should always consult an expert to obtain the most accurate diagnosis possible and avoid misdiagnosis which could lead to unneeded treatment or allow cancer to spread more.
A physical examination and a blood sample can help identify mesothelioma signs. These tests can be used to determine asbestos fibers in the blood or to determine the extent to which a patient's organs are functioning. The most reliable method to diagnose mesothelioma is taking a biopsy. manchester mesothelioma lawsuit take tissues or fluids from the affected area and then examine them under a microscope to look for mesothelioma tumor cells.
The type of mesothelioma that sufferers have can influence the prognosis of a patient. Pleural mesothelioma, that forms in the thin lining that surrounds the lungs, is the most common form of the disease and makes up the majority of cases diagnosed. Peritoneal cancer, which 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 much less common and represents about one percent of cases.
Shortness of breath, which is more severe with time, and a bloody cough are a few of the initial symptoms. Asbestos patients may also experience fluid buildup in the chest cavity, which is called pleural effusion. The fluid can be removed from the chest cavity by inserting an needle into the affected region. In more severe cases, doctors may use a procedure known as pleurodesis to close the space to prevent reaccumulation of fluid in the pleura.
A precise mesothelioma diagnosis is the most reliable way to determine a patient's treatment options and the survival rate. There are a myriad of treatments available which include chemotherapy, surgery and radiation. Other options include immunotherapy, which enhances the immune system to fight mesothelioma and tumor treating fields that use the power of magnets to kill cancerous cell.
A specialist in mesothelioma can also assist patients in understanding the various mesothelioma types which determine how invasive the cancer is and what the patient's prognosis is. Patients should discuss their experience of asbestos exposure with their physician to determine if they're a mesothelioma candidate and discover what kinds of treatment are available to them.
How Can I get help?
If you've used Johnson & Johnson talcum powder and then developed ovarian cancer, or another illness like mesothelioma, you could be eligible for substantial compensation. Contact us today to receive a no-obligation, free consultation. We can assist you in filing mesothelioma claims against J&J and hold them accountable for their negligence.
Mesothelioma is a rare but fatal illness that is caused by exposure to asbestos. Asbestos used to be widely utilized in a variety of industrial and consumer products, including baby powder. In talcum-powder cases plaintiffs claim that asbestos exposure from inhaling the powder caused them to develop mesothelioma and other health issues.
J&J believed to have known 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 the company. These lawsuits have been consolidated in state and federal multidistrict lawsuits, also known as MDLs.
In 2018, one of the first major Talc trials ended in an $4.7 billion settlement for the plaintiff. This was a major news story and set the stage for the rest of the year. Last month, a court denied J&J's request to dismiss the lawsuits filed by the state.
J&J however, tried again to stall the litigation. The company set up a new subsidiary entity to take over its talc liabilities and LTL Management filed for bankruptcy. The bankruptcy stopped the filing of thousands of talc lawsuits, but the 3rd Circuit rejected that 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 claim that the company was negligent in failing to warn consumers of the risk of ovarian carcinoma from talcum powder and that this was a violation of state law.
J&J has submitted its motion to dismiss lawsuits to another bankruptcy court. A hearing is scheduled for June in order to determine whether the lawsuits against J&J are able to continue. If you or someone near you has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, or another condition which could have been caused talcum powder. You should seek legal advice as soon as possible. Our experienced lawyers will assist you in getting the compensation you're entitled to.