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 case is the first trial that has been held since J&J filed for bankruptcy and spun off its talc division.
In the first quarter of this year, large settlements were reached in talc suits in New Jersey and California. Plaintiffs blamed their cancer on asbestos found in J&J's Shower Shower and Baby Powder products.
What is Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is a deadly type of cancer that affects the mesothelium the lining around organs and body cavities. It is most commonly found in the lungs, however it can also be found in the abdomen, heart and chest cavity, as well as the testicles. Asbestos, the only known cause of this illness, 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 was opened this week, and jurors in Oakland, California were emotional as they listened to the testimony of the plaintiff. The plaintiff, who is just 24 years old was diagnosed with malignant pericardial mesothelioma 2022. He attributed the cause of his condition to his early use of Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder. The jury awarded him $25 million.
J&J has been accused of obfuscating asbestos risks from the public for a long time. The company has a long history of obstructing asbestos research from regulators and funding asbestos tests to achieve the results it desired. Several of the company's talcum powder suppliers have been named in these lawsuits and include Whittaker, Clark & Daniels and Imerys Talc America.
Many women who used talcum powder for feminine hygiene in the genital areas or on sanitary napkins or condoms have been diagnosed with an ovarian cancer and some have been diagnosed with mesothelioma. The lawsuits allege that J&J knew for more than 40 years that using the powder led to ovarian cancer and mesothelioma, however, they failed to warn consumers of this danger.
Mesothelioma symptoms include abdominal pain and abdominal lumps, abdominal swelling, and persistent coughing. Doctors can diagnose mesothelioma by physical examination and imaging scans. These include CT scans (computer tomography), MRIs, PET or X rays.
When a mesothelioma diagnosis is confirmed, patients may undergo chemotherapy, surgery and/or radiation. Depending on the location of their tumors, surgeons may be able remove the affected tissue. West Palm Beach mesothelioma lawsuit with mesothelioma may have a life expectancy less than five. However aggressive treatments like extracorporeal tissue transplantation and the cytoreduction process using hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy can prolong the duration of survival.
What causes Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma, like most cancers is caused by DNA changes in a cell. These mutations cause the cells to multiply rapidly and form tumors in the tissues of the body. Asbestos is a common cause mesothelioma. Asbestos exposure can occur in a variety of industries such as manufacturing, mining, and transportation. Asbestos exposure typically occurs 20 to 40 years prior to the time symptoms appear. Mesothelioma affects men more than women, and is most commonly diagnosed in people in their 50s and 70s. The type of mesothelioma that a person is usually determined by the area of their body in which they were exposed to asbestos. Most people with mesothelioma are diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma which affects the lungs. Some are diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma, which is a mesothelioma type that affects the abdomen. Finally, some people are diagnosed with pericardial mesothelioma, an extremely rare form of the disease that affects the heart's lining (pericardium) and the organ itself.
Shortness of breath, fatigue and abdominal pain are all symptoms of mesothelioma. In the final mesothelioma stages, the tumors can spread to other areas of the body which can cause severe pain and discomfort. Other common symptoms of mesothelioma include fluid on the lung (pleural effusion) and a loss of appetite, difficulties swallowing, and a blockage of the small intestine called a obstruction of the bowel. Mesothelioma is a fatal illness, and it is often fatal.
The talcum powder trial in Oakland involved an individual of 24 who developed pericardial msothelioma after using J&J baby powder. His lawyers argued that J&J knew that talc contained asbestos, but didn't inform consumers. They also cited an 1998 letter to an J&J executive that revealed the possibility of asbestos being present in their products.
This is only the latest in a series of high-dollar verdicts against J&J. In March the jury handed down $18.8 million to a woman who was diagnosed with mesothelioma of the ovarian tract from J&J's powder. Then, last month the 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 and brought the number of pending lawsuits to 37,522. Most of these lawsuits were filed by women who used J&J talcum powder to maintain their feminine hygiene.
How Can I tell whether I have mesothelioma not?
A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be devastating. Patients should consult a specialist to get the most accurate information possible and prevent misdiagnosis that could lead to unnecessary treatment and let cancer spread more.
A physical exam and a blood sample can aid in identifying mesothelioma signs. These tests can detect the presence of asbestos fibers in the blood or to look at the extent to which a patient's organs are functioning. The most reliable method of diagnosing mesothelioma involves a biopsy. Doctors remove tissue or fluids from the affected area, and examine them under a microscope to look for mesothelioma cancerous cells.
The type of mesothelioma a person has also affects the prognosis of their patient. Pleural mesothelioma, which forms in the thin lining that surrounds the lung, is the most common form of mesothelioma and makes up the majority of cases diagnosed. Peritoneal cancer, which develops in the lining around the abdomen is a less prevalent type. The pericardial msothelioma, in turn, is a rare type that is found in the lining of the heart. It's only 1% of all cases.
The breath is short, and is more severe with time, and a bloody cough are among the first symptoms. Asbestos patients can 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 a needle into the area affected. In more severe cases doctors may opt to perform pleurodesis, which is a procedure that seals the space to prevent the fluid from accumulating in the pleura.
A precise diagnosis of mesothelioma is crucial in determining a patient's survival rate and treatment options. There are a variety of treatments available, including surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. Other options include immunotherapy which boosts the immune systems to fight mesothelioma and cancer treating fields that employ magnetic fields to kill cancerous cell.
A specialist in mesothelioma can also assist patients in understanding the various mesothelioma types, which determine how aggressive the cancer is and what the prognosis of the patient is. Patients should discuss their experience of asbestos exposure with their doctor to determine if they are a mesothelioma candidate and discover what kinds of treatment options are available to them.
How Can I get help?
If you've used Johnson & Johnson talcum powder and developed ovarian cancer or another disease such as mesothelioma or other cancers, you could be entitled to significant compensation. Contact us now for a no-cost, non- obligation case assessment. We can assist you in filing mesothelioma claims against J&J and hold J&J accountable for their actions.
Mesothelioma, an extremely rare and fatal condition caused by asbestos exposure, is a rare condition. Asbestos was a time when it was widely used in a variety of industrial and consumer products, including baby powder. In talcum-powder lawsuits plaintiffs claim that exposure to asbestos from inhaling the powder caused them to develop mesothelioma or other health problems.
J&J failed to warn the public about the dangers of asbestos and talcum even though they were aware of them for many years. Plaintiffs have filed mesothelioma lawsuits against the company seeking damages for punitive and compensatory. The claims have been consolidated into state and federal multidistrict litigations or MDLs.
In 2018 one of the biggest talc cases led to a $4.7 billion verdict in favor of the plaintiff. It was a national news story and set the tone for the rest of the year. In the last month, a judge ruled against a request by J&J to dismiss the lawsuits filed by the state of Mississippi.
However, in an effort to derail the litigation, J&J tried again. The company established an entity that was a subsidiary to assume its talc liabilities and LTL Management filed for bankruptcy. The bankruptcy ended the filing of thousands of talc lawsuits, but the 3rd Circuit rejected that strategy.
The lawsuits brought by Mississippi are based on the same allegations as those of the individual lawsuits filed against J&J. They assert that the company was negligent in failing to warn consumers of the possibility of ovarian carcinoma from talcum powder and that this constituted an infraction of the law of the state.
J&J has filed a motion to dismiss lawsuits to another bankruptcy court. A hearing has been scheduled for June to determine whether the lawsuits against J&J will be allowed to proceed. If you or someone you love is diagnosed with mesothelioma or other disease which could be caused by talcum powder, you should seek legal representation immediately. Our skilled lawyers can help you receive the compensation you deserve.