Mesothelioma Lawyer Files Talc Lawsuit Against Johnson & Johnson
A man who is 24 years old and has mesothelioma pericardial has claimed that Johnson & Johnson's baby powder caused his cancer. The Oakland mesothelioma case is the first trial to take place since J&J separated its talc business and filed for bankruptcy.
In the beginning of the year, huge settlements were made in talc cases in New Jersey and California. Plaintiffs linked their cancer to asbestos in J&J's Shower Shower and Baby Powder products.
What is Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma can be a deadly form of cancer that affects the mesothelium or lining that surrounds organs and body cavities. It is most common in the lungs but can be located in the chest and abdomen cavity. Asbestos is the only known cause of mesothelioma and those who have been exposed to asbestos are at a higher chance of developing the disease.
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 story of the plaintiff. The plaintiff, who is only 24 years old was diagnosed with malignant pericardial cancer in 2022. He blamed the reason for his illness to his early use of Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder. The jury awarded him $25 million.
J&J has been accused of concealing asbestos-related risks from consumers for many years. The company has a long tradition of keeping asbestos information from regulators, and even paying for asbestos tests that gave the results they desired. These lawsuits have identified several of the talcum-powder suppliers for the company, including Whittaker Clark & Daniels, Imerys Talc America, and others.
Women who used talcum for feminine hygiene, such as sanitary pads or condoms, or in the genital region have been diagnosed with mesothelioma and ovarian cancer. The lawsuits assert that J&J was aware for more than 40 years that the powder could trigger ovarian cancer and other diseases, but failed to warn consumers.
Mesothelioma symptoms can include breathing problems, chronic coughing abdominal pain, fatigue and lumps or masses on the abdomen or chest. Doctors can identify the disease by a physical examination and imaging scans. These include CT scans (computer tomography), MRIs, PET or X-rays.
After a mesothelioma is diagnosed, patients can undergo surgery, chemotherapy, and/or radiotherapy. Depending on the site 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 like extracorporeal tissue transplantation or the cytoreduction process using hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy can prolong the life of patients.
What Causes Mesothelioma?
Like many cancers, mesothelioma occurs by DNA mutations. These mutations cause cells to multiply in uncontrolled ways, forming tumors in the tissues of the body. Asbestos is a common cause mesothelioma. The exposure to asbestos can be found in a variety of fields such as mining, manufacturing, construction and transportation. Asbestos exposure typically occurs in the 20 to 40 years preceding symptoms develop. Mesothelioma affects men more than women, and it is most commonly diagnosed in people in their 50s to 70s. The type of mesothelioma that a sufferer is usually determined by the region of their body that were exposed to asbestos. The majority of mesothelioma patients are diagnosed with pleural msothelioma which affects the lung. Some are diagnosed with peritoneal melanoma, a type of mesothelioma that affects the abdomen. Some patients are diagnosed with pericardial mesothelioma. This is an extremely rare form of the disease which affects both the liner (pericardium) as well as the organ itself.
Shortness of breath as well as abdominal pain and fatigue are all symptoms of mesothelioma. In the late stages of mesothelioma tumors may spread to other areas of the body, which can cause extreme pain and discomfort. Other typical symptoms of mesothelioma are fluid on the lungs (pleural effusion), loss of appetite, difficulties swallowing and a blockage in the small intestine called a obstruction in the bowel. Mesothelioma can be fatal.
The talcum powder trial in Oakland involved a man of 24 who developed pericardial mesothelioma from the use of J&J baby powder. His lawyers argued the company knew that talc contained asbestos but did not inform customers. They also cited an 1998 letter addressed to an J&J executive, revealing the possibility of asbestos being present in their products.
This is the latest in a string of high-dollar 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 last month, which brings the total to 37,522 the total number of lawsuits pending. The majority of these lawsuits involve women who used J&J's Talcum powder to wash their feminine hygiene.
How do I know whether I have mesothelioma or not?
The diagnosis of mesothelioma could be devastating. Patients must always consult a doctor for the most precise diagnosis and to avoid misdiagnosis, which could result in unnecessary treatment and spread of cancer.
A physical examination and blood test can be an excellent way to determine whether mesothelioma is causing symptoms. These tests can be used to determine the presence of asbestos fibers in blood or to determine the way in which the organs of a patient are functioning. The most reliable method of diagnosing mesothelioma involves taking a biopsy. Doctors take tissues or fluids from an affected area, and then look at them under a microscope to look for mesothelioma cancerous cells.
The type of mesothelioma sufferers have can affect his or her prognosis. Pleural mesothelioma, which forms in the thin lining of the lungs, is the most frequent form of the disease and accounts for the majority of cases diagnosed. Peritoneal mesothelioma is a type of cancer that forms in the abdomen's lining is less prevalent. Lastly, pericardial msothelioma is a rare type that is found in the lining of the heart. It is only 1% of all cases.
The breath is short, and is more severe with time, and a bloody cough are a few of the initial symptoms. Asbestos sufferers can also experience fluid accumulation in the chest cavity, a condition known as pleural effusion. It can be eliminated by inserting a needle into the affected region of the chest cavity. In more severe cases, doctors may undergo a procedure called pleurodesis to seal the space to prevent reaccumulation of fluid in the pleura.
Making sure that mesothelioma is diagnosed correctly is the best way to determine a patient's treatment options and survival rate. Surgery, chemotherapy and radiation are all options. Other options include immunotherapy, which boosts the immune systems to fight mesothelioma as well as cancer treating fields that employ magnetic fields to kill cancerous cell.
A mesothelioma expert can also help patients understand different mesothelioma types which determine the extent of the cancer and the outlook of the patient. Patients should discuss with their physician their experience with asbestos exposure to determine whether mesothelioma could be an option and what treatment options are available.
How Can I Get Help?
If you used Johnson & Johnson talcum and suffered from ovarian or other diseases like mesothelioma after using the talcum powder, you could be eligible for significant compensation. Contact us today for an absolutely free consultation. We can assist you in bringing a mesothelioma suit against J&J to hold them accountable for negligence.
Mesothelioma is a rare, but fatal disease that is caused by exposure to asbestos. Asbestos was once widely used in a wide range of industrial and consumer products, including baby powder. The plaintiffs in talcum powder cases claim that inhaling talcum powder led to asbestos exposure, which contributed to mesothelioma as well as other health issues.
J&J was allegedly aware of the risk of asbestos and talcum powder for decades but failed to warn consumers. Plaintiffs have filed lawsuits seeking punitive damages and compensatory damages against J&J. These lawsuits have been consolidated in state and federal multidistrict lawsuits, or MDLs.
In 2018 one of the biggest Talc cases resulted in a $4.7 billion verdict in the favor of the plaintiff. This was a major news story and set a tone for the rest of the litigation. In the last month, a judge denied J&J's request to dismiss the lawsuits brought by the state.
In an attempt to halt the litigation, J&J tried again. redlands mesothelioma law firm established an additional subsidiary entity to take on its talc liability and LTL Management filed for bankruptcy. The bankruptcy stopped thousands of talc lawsuits however, the 3rd Circuit rejected this strategy.
The lawsuits filed by Mississippi are based upon the same allegations as those of the individual lawsuits brought against J&J. They allege that the company acted negligently 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 an alternative bankruptcy court. A hearing is scheduled for June in order to determine whether the lawsuits against J&J will be allowed to be pursued. If you or someone near you has been diagnosed with mesothelioma or another condition that could have been caused by talcum powder. You should seek legal counsel immediately. Our skilled lawyers can assist you in obtaining the compensation you deserve.