Mesothelioma Lawyer Files Talc Lawsuit Against Johnson & Johnson
A 24-year-old man with mesothelioma of the pericardium 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 lawsuits. Plaintiffs blamed their cancer on asbestos in J&J's Shower Shower and Baby Powder products.
What is Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is a lethal type of cancer that affects the mesothelium, or the lining that surrounds organs and cavities inside the body. It is usually found in the lungs, however it can also occur in the abdomen, the heart, chest cavity and testicles. Asbestos is the sole known cause of mesothelioma, and people who have been exposed to asbestos are at a greater risk of developing this disease.
The first trial after J&J declared bankruptcy over its talcum powder division began in Oakland, California this week. Jurors were impressed by the story of the plaintiff. In 2022, the plaintiff who was only 24 years old at the time, was diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma of pericardium. He attributed his illness to childhood exposure to Johnson & Johnson baby powder. The jury awarded him $25 million.
J&J has been accused of concealing asbestos risks from consumers for a number of years. The company has a long history of obstructing asbestos research from regulators and even funding asbestos tests to achieve 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.
Many women who used talcum powder for feminine hygiene in the genital area or on sanitary napkins, or condoms have been diagnosed with an ovarian cancer and some have been diagnosed with mesothelioma. grand rapids mesothelioma lawsuit assert that J&J was aware for more than 40 years that the powder could trigger ovarian cancer and other illnesses, but failed to warn consumers.
Mesothelioma symptoms include abdominal pain and abdominal swelling, abdominal lumps, and persistent coughing. Doctors can diagnose mesothelioma by an examination and imaging scans. These include CT scans (computer tomography), MRIs, PET or X-rays.
If a mesothelioma diagnosis has been confirmed, patients can undergo chemotherapy, surgery, or radiation. Depending on the site of their tumors, surgeons might be able to remove the affected tissue. Some patients with mesothelioma have a lifespan less than five. However, aggressive treatments such as extracorporeal transplantation of tissue and cytoreduction using hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy can prolong the life of patients.
What causes Mesothelioma?
Like most cancers, mesothelioma is caused when a cell's DNA experiences mutations. These mutations lead to uncontrolled cell growth, which creates tumors in the tissues. Asbestos is a frequent cause of mesothelioma. Asbestos exposure can be found in a variety of industries such as manufacturing, mining and transportation. Asbestos is usually exposed for 20 to 40 years prior to the onset of symptoms developing. Mesothelioma is more prevalent in men than women, and it is usually diagnosed in those in their 50s to 70s. The kind of mesothelioma involving asbestos that a person develops is usually determined by the place they were exposed. Most mesothelioma patients are diagnosed with pleural msothelioma which affects the lung. Some are diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma, one type of mesothelioma which affects the abdomen. Some patients are diagnosed with pericardial mesothelioma. This is a rare form of the disease which affects both the inner lining (pericardium) and the organ itself.
The symptoms of mesothelioma are shortness of breath, fatigue abdominal pain and weight loss. In the last stages of mesothelioma, the tumors may expand to other parts of the body, causing severe discomfort and pain. Other symptoms that are common to mesothelioma are fluid on the lung (pleural effusion), loss of appetite, difficulties swallowing and a blockage within the small intestine, referred to as a obstruction in the bowel. Mesothelioma is a fatal disease, and is usually 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 argued that J&J knew that talc might contain asbestos, but did not warn consumers about it. They also cited a letter from 1998 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 the jury awarded $18.8 million to a woman who was diagnosed with mesothelioma ovarian from J&J's talcum powder. Last month the jury in Missouri awarded $55 million in a different case that dealt with the same issue. Seven new cases have been added to the MDL talcum-powder over the past month, bringing to 37,522 the number of lawsuits in the process. The majority of these lawsuits involve women who used J&J's Talcum powder for feminine hygiene reasons.
How can I tell whether I have mesothelioma or not?
A diagnosis of mesothelioma may be devastating. Patients should always see an expert for the most accurate diagnosis possible and prevent misdiagnosis that could result in unneeded treatment and allow cancer to spread more.
A physical exam and a blood test is an effective way to determine whether mesothelioma is causing symptoms. These tests can check for asbestos fibers in blood or to determine how well a patient's organs are functioning. The most precise method of diagnosing mesothelioma involves a biopsy. Doctors extract tissues or fluids from the affected area and then examine them under a microscope to look for mesothelioma tumor cells.
The type of mesothelioma is present in a patient can influence their prognosis. Pleural mesothelioma is the most commonly encountered type of disease and is responsible for the majority of cases diagnosed. Peritoneal cancer that develops in the lining surrounding the abdomen is a less prevalent form. The pericardial mesothelioma, an uncommon type that develops in the heart's lining, is more rare and only represents about one percent of cases.
The first signs include shortness of breath that gets worse over time, and then coughing up blood. Asbestos patients can also experience fluid accumulation within the chest cavity. This is known as Pleural effusion. It can be eliminated by inserting a needle in the affected area of the chest cavity. In more severe cases, doctors might perform a procedure called pleurodesis, which seals the area to stop the reaccumulation of fluid in the pleura.
A precise mesothelioma diagnosis is the best method to determine the patient's treatment options as well as their survival rate. Treatment options include chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation are all options. There are also immunotherapy treatments that boosts the immune systems to fight mesothelioma as well as treatment fields for tumors that utilize magnetic fields to kill cancerous cell.
A specialist in mesothelioma can also help patients understand the various mesothelioma types, which determine how aggressive the cancer is and what the patient's prognosis is. Patients should discuss with their doctor their experiences with asbestos exposure to determine whether mesothelioma is an option and what treatment options are available.
How Can I get help?
If you've used Johnson & Johnson talcum powder and developed ovarian cancer or a different illness such as mesothelioma, you could be eligible for significant compensation. Contact us today for a free, no obligation case evaluation. We can assist you in filing mesothelioma lawsuits against J&J and hold J&J accountable for their negligence.
Mesothelioma is an extremely rare and fatal condition caused by asbestos exposure is a rare condition. Asbestos used to be widely used in many industrial and consumer products, including baby powder. Plaintiffs in talcum powder cases claim that inhaling talcum powder led to their asbestos exposure, which contributed to mesothelioma and other health problems.
J&J did not warn the public about the dangers of talcum and asbestos, despite knowing them for many years. Plaintiffs have filed mesothelioma lawsuits against the company seeking damages for punitive and compensatory. These claims have been consolidated in federal and state multidistrict lawsuits, or MDLs.
In 2018 one of the biggest Talc cases resulted in a $4.7 billion settlement in favor of the plaintiff. It was a national news story and set the precedent for the rest of the year. Last month, a judge rejected a request by J&J to dismiss the lawsuits brought by the state of Mississippi.
In an attempt to stop the litigation, J&J tried again. LTL Management, a subsidiary of J&J has filed for bankruptcy after the company created an entity that would take on its obligations. The bankruptcy stayed thousands of talc lawsuits however, the 3rd Circuit rejected this strategy.
The lawsuits filed by the state of Mississippi are based on the same allegations that were a part of the individual lawsuits against J&J that claim that the company's inability to warn of the dangers of ovarian cancer caused by the talcum powder was negligent and violated the law of the state.
J&J has filed a motion to dismiss lawsuits before a different bankruptcy court. A hearing has been scheduled for June in order to determine whether the lawsuits against J&J will be allowed to move forward. If you or someone you love is diagnosed with mesothelioma or other disease which could be caused by talcum powder you should seek legal advice immediately. Our skilled lawyers will assist you in getting the compensation you deserve.