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 that has been held since J&J filed for bankruptcy and spun off its talc division.
In the spring of this year, jury awards in New Jersey and California led to large settlements in talc lawsuits. Plaintiffs linked their cancer to asbestos in J&J's Shower to Shower and Baby Powder products.
What is Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is a fatal form of cancer that affects the mesothelium, or lining that surrounds organs and body cavities. It is most often found in the lungs, but it can also be found in the abdomen, heart and chest cavity as well as testicles. Asbestos 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 after 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. He attributed the cause of his condition to his childhood use Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder. The jury awarded him $25 million.
J&J has been accused of concealing asbestos risks from consumers for a long time. The company has a long history of hiding asbestos information from regulators, and even paying for asbestos tests that gave the results they wanted. Several of the company's talcum powder suppliers have been named in these lawsuits which include Whittaker, Clark & Daniels and Imerys Talc America.
Many women who used talcum powder for feminine hygiene in the genital region or on sanitary napkins, or condoms have developed an ovarian cancer and some have been diagnosed with mesothelioma. The lawsuits assert that J&J was aware for more than 40 years that the powder could cause ovarian cancer and other diseases, but failed to warn consumers.
The symptoms of mesothelioma are abdominal pain and abdominal lumps, abdominal swelling and a persistent cough. Doctors can diagnose the condition through a physical exam and imaging scans. These include CT scans (computer tomography), MRIs, PET or X-rays.
After a mesothelioma is diagnosed patients can undergo chemotherapy, surgery, or radiotherapy. The surgeons are able to remove the affected tissue depending on the location of the tumors. Certain patients with mesothelioma have a life expectancy less than five. However aggressive treatments like extracorporeal tissue transplantation and chemotherapy for cytoreduction that uses hyperthermic intraperitoneal therapy can prolong the life of patients.
What is the cause of Mesothelioma?
Like all cancers, mesothelioma occurs by DNA mutations. These mutations can cause uncontrolled cell growth that creates tumors in the tissues. Asbestos is the leading cause of mesothelioma. Exposure to asbestos can occur in a variety of industries, including manufacturing, mining construction, transportation and construction. Asbestos is typically exposed between 20 and 40 years prior to the onset of symptoms developing. 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 kind of mesothelioma involving asbestos that someone develops is usually determined by the place on their body they were exposed. Westland mesothelioma lawyers YouTube of patients diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma that affects the lung. Others are diagnosed as having peritoneal mesothelioma. This kind of mesothelioma affects the abdomen. Finally, some people are diagnosed with pericardial mesothelioma. It is an extremely rare form of the disease that affects the lining of the heart (pericardium) and the organ itself.
Symptoms of mesothelioma include fatigue, breathlessness and abdominal pain, as well as weight loss. In the last stages of mesothelioma the tumors may grow to other areas that cause severe discomfort and discomfort. Other signs of mesothelioma can include fluid in the lung, a loss of appetite and difficulty swallowing and eating. Mesothelioma can be fatal.
The talcum-powder trial in Oakland involved an individual of 24 years old who was diagnosed with pericardial mesothelioma as a result of using J&J baby powder. His lawyers claimed that J&J knew that talc was contaminated with asbestos, but didn't warn customers. They also cited a 1998 letter to a J&J executive that highlighted the possibility of asbestos 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 in a woman. In the same month, a 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 total number of lawsuits in the process. Most of these lawsuits are filed by women who have used J&J talcum powder to maintain their feminine hygiene.
How Do I Know if I Have Mesothelioma?
A diagnosis of mesothelioma is devastating. Patients should consult an expert for the most accurate diagnosis possible and avoid misdiagnosis which could result in unneeded treatment or allow cancer to grow.
A physical examination and blood test is an excellent way to determine whether mesothelioma may be causing symptoms. These tests can be used to check for asbestos fibers in blood, or the health of the patient's internal organs. The most reliable method to diagnose mesothelioma is a biopsy. Doctors extract tissues or fluids from an affected area and then examine them under a microscope for mesothelioma cancerous cells.
The type of mesothelioma a person has can also influence the prognosis of a patient. Pleural mesothelioma is the most common type of the disease and is responsible for the majority of cases that are diagnosed. Peritoneal mesothelioma is a type of cancer that develops in the abdomen's lining is not as common. The pericardial mesothelioma, an uncommon type that develops in the lining of the heart, is much less common and accounts for about 1% of cases.
A shortness of breath that becomes worse over time, and a bloody cough are among the first symptoms. Asbestos sufferers may 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 severe cases doctors may opt to perform pleurodesis, an operation that seals the cavity to stop the fluid from accumulating within the pleura.
A mesothelioma accurate diagnosis is crucial in determining a patient's survival rate and treatment options. There are a variety of options for treatment, including surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. Other options include immunotherapy. It is a type of treatment that boosts the immune system to fight mesothelioma tumors and tumor-removing fields, which use the power of magnets to destroy cancerous cells.
A mesothelioma specialist who is specialized can also help patients understand the different mesothelioma cells, which determine how aggressive the cancer is and what the patient's prognosis is. Patients should discuss with their doctor their experience with asbestos exposure to determine if mesothelioma is an option and what treatment options are available.
How Can I get help?
If you've used Johnson & Johnson talcum powder and then developed ovarian cancer, or another disease such as mesothelioma, you may be eligible for substantial compensation. Contact us today for an obligation-free, no-cost assessment of your case. We can assist you with bringing mesothelioma lawsuit against J&J to make them accountable for their negligence.
Mesothelioma is a rare but fatal disease caused by exposure to asbestos. Asbestos used to be widely utilized in a variety of consumer and industrial products including baby powder. The plaintiffs in talcum powder cases claim that inhaling talcum powder caused to their exposure to asbestos, which contributed to mesothelioma and other health problems.
J&J allegedly knew about the dangers of talcum powder and asbestos for a long time, but failed to warn consumers. Plaintiffs have filed lawsuits seeking punitive damages as well as compensatory damages against J&J. The claims have been combined into federal and state multidistrict litigations, also known as MDLs.
In 2018, one of the largest talc cases led to a $4.7 billion verdict in the favor of the plaintiff. This made national headlines and set the tone for the remainder of the litigation. 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. LTL Management, a subsidiary of J&J, filed for bankruptcy after the company created a new entity to assume its obligations. 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 on the same allegations of the individual lawsuits filed against J&J. They allege that the company was negligent in failing to warn consumers of the possibility of ovarian carcinoma from talcum powder and that this resulted in a violation of state law.
J&J has submitted its motion to dismiss the 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 you know has been diagnosed with a mesothelioma or other disease which could be caused by talcum powder you should seek legal representation immediately. Our lawyers are experienced and can assist you in obtaining the compensation you deserve.