Mesothelioma Lawyer Files Talc Lawsuit Against Johnson & Johnson
A man aged 24 with pericardial msothelioma claims that Johnson & Johnson baby powder is the cause of his cancer. The Oakland mesothelioma trial is the first trial to be 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-related lawsuits. Plaintiffs have linked cancer to asbestos found in J&J products Shower to Shower and baby powder.
What is Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is a deadly type of cancer that affects the mesothelium the lining that surrounds organs and body cavities. It is usually found in the lungs, however it can also be found in the abdomen, 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 to asbestos are at a higher 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. The plaintiff, who is only 24 years old, was diagnosed with malignant pericardial mesothelioma 2022. He attributed his illness to childhood exposure to Johnson & Johnson baby powder. Chesapeake mesothelioma attorneys awarded him $26 million.
J&J has been accused of concealing asbestos-related risks from consumers for many years. J&J has a history of hiding asbestos-related findings from regulators, and even supplying asbestos tests to get the results it desired. These lawsuits have named several of the company's talcum-powder suppliers, including Whittaker Clark & Daniels, Imerys Talc America, and other companies.
Women who used talcum to provide feminine hygiene on sanitary pads or condoms or in the genital region have been diagnosed with mesothelioma and ovarian cancer. The lawsuits assert that J&J knew for more than 40 years that the powder could cause mesothelioma and ovarian cancer but failed to warn customers of this danger.
Mesothelioma symptoms can include breathing difficulties, constant coughing, abdominal pain, fatigue, and lumps or masses on the chest or abdomen. Doctors can detect mesothelioma with physical examination and imaging scans. These could include CT (computer tomography) scans, MRIs and PET or X-rays.
After a mesothelioma is diagnosed, patients can undergo surgery, chemotherapy, or radiotherapy. Depending on the location of their tumors surgeons may be able remove the affected tissue. Patients with mesothelioma are sometimes given a life expectancy of less than five years. However, aggressive treatments such as extracorporeal Membrane transplantation and cytoreduction using hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy can prolong the life expectancy.
What causes Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that is caused by DNA mutations in cells. These mutations lead to uncontrolled cell growth that forms tumors in tissues. Asbestos is the most frequent cause of mesothelioma. Asbestos exposure is common in a variety of 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 than women. It is also diagnosed most often in those between the ages of 50 and 70. The type of mesothelioma that a sufferer is usually determined by the area of their body that were exposed to asbestos. The majority of mesothelioma patients are diagnosed with pleural msothelioma which affects the lung. Other patients are diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma. one type of mesothelioma which affects the abdomen. Finally, some people are diagnosed with pericardial melanoma, the most rare form of the disease that affects the heart's lining (pericardium) and the organ itself.
Symptoms of mesothelioma include fatigue, shortness of breath abdominal pain and weight loss. In the late mesothelioma stages, the tumors can spread to other areas of the body, which can cause severe discomfort and pain. Other symptoms that are common to mesothelioma include fluid on the lung (pleural effusion) and a loss of appetite, difficulty swallowing and a blockage within the small intestine called a obstruction of the bowel. Mesothelioma is a debilitating illness, and it is usually fatal.
The talcum-powder trial in Oakland involved a man of 24 who developed pericardial msothelioma following the use of J&J baby powder. His lawyers argued that J&J knew that talc contained asbestos but didn't warn customers. They also cited a 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 the jury handed down $18.8 million to a woman who was diagnosed with mesothelioma ovarian from J&J's talcum powder. Then, last month, a jury in Missouri awarded $55 million in a separate case that involved the same issue. In addition, seven new cases were added to the talcum powder MDL over the last month, bringing the number of lawsuits pending to 37,522. The majority of these lawsuits concern women who have used J&J's talcum powder for feminine hygiene reasons.
How Do I Know if I Have Mesothelioma?
A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be devastating. Patients should always consult an expert for the most accurate information available and prevent misdiagnosis that could lead to unneeded treatment and let cancer expand further.
A physical examination and blood test is an excellent way to determine whether mesothelioma may be causing symptoms. These tests can detect asbestos fibers in blood or to determine the way in which the organs of a patient are functioning. The most accurate method of diagnosing mesothelioma involves taking a biopsy. Doctors take tissues or fluids from an affected area, and examine them under a microscope to look for mesothelioma cancer cells.
The type of mesothelioma a person is suffering from also affects the likelihood of a positive outcome. Pleural mesothelioma that develops in the thin lining of the lung, is the most frequent form of the disease and makes up the majority of cases diagnosed. Peritoneal cancer that develops in the lining around the abdomen, is a less common form. Finally, pericardial mesothelioma, a rare type of cancer that develops in the heart's lining is much rarer and only makes up approximately 1percent of cases.
The first signs include a shortness of breath that gets worse over time, and then coughing up blood. Asbestos victims can also experience fluid accumulation in the chest cavity, a condition known as pleural effusion. The fluid can be removed from the chest cavity by inserting a needle into the area affected. In more serious cases, doctors may perform pleurodesis, a procedure which seals the area to stop fluid from accumulating again within the pleura.
Making sure that mesothelioma is diagnosed correctly is the best way to determine a patient's treatment options and the survival rate. There are many options for treatment that include surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. There are also immunotherapy treatments that increases the immune system to fight mesothelioma and tumor treating fields that use magnetic fields to kill cancerous cells.
A mesothelioma specialist can assist patients in understanding different mesothelioma types, which determine the extent of the cancer as well as the outlook of the patient. Patients should discuss with their physician their experience with asbestos exposure to determine whether mesothelioma is a possibility and what treatment options are available.
How Can I get help?
If you have used Johnson & Johnson talcum and you developed an ovarian disease or another like mesothelioma after using the powder, you could be eligible for a significant amount of compensation. Contact us now to receive a no-cost, no obligation case assessment. We can assist you in bringing mesothelioma lawsuit against J&J to make them accountable for their negligence.
Mesothelioma is a rare, but fatal disease that is caused by asbestos exposure. Asbestos was a time when it was widely used in a variety of consumer and industrial products, including baby powder. In talcum-powder cases plaintiffs claim that exposure to asbestos from inhaling the powder caused them to develop mesothelioma and other health issues.
J&J allegedly knew about the dangers of asbestos and talcum powder for decades but failed to warn consumers. Plaintiffs have filed lawsuits seeking punitive damages and compensatory damages against the company. These claims have been amalgamated into federal and state multidistrict litigations or MDLs.
In 2018, one of the first major talc trials resulted in a $4.7 billion verdict for the plaintiff. This was a national news story and set the tone for the rest of the year. Last month, a court denied J&J's request to dismiss the lawsuits brought by the state.
J&J however, attempted again to halt the litigation. The company set up an additional subsidiary entity to take over its talc liabilities, and LTL Management filed for bankruptcy. The bankruptcy stopped thousands of talc lawsuits but the 3rd Circuit rejected this strategy.
The lawsuits filed 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 possibility of ovarian carcinoma from talcum-powder and that this was a violation of state law.
J&J has submitted its motion to dismiss the lawsuits to an alternative 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 around you has been diagnosed with mesothelioma or any other condition that 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 deserve.