Mesothelioma Lawyer Files Talc Lawsuit Against Johnson & Johnson
A man who is 24 years old and has mesothelioma pericardial has claimed that Johnson and Johnson's baby powder was responsible for his cancer. The Oakland mesothelioma trial is one of the first one to be held since J&J spun off its Talc business and filed for bankruptcy.
In the first quarter of this year, large settlements were reached in talc lawsuits in New Jersey and California. Plaintiffs linked cancer to asbestos that was found in J&J products Shower to Shower and baby powder.
What is Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma can be a deadly form of cancer that affects the mesothelium the lining around organs and body cavities. It is most common in the lungs, but it can also be found in the abdomen and chest cavity. Asbestos is the only known mesothelioma causing agent and those who have been exposed to asbestos are at a higher chance of developing the disease.
The first trial following J&J declared bankruptcy on its talcum-powder division began in Oakland, California this week. Jurors were moved by the story of the plaintiff. In 2022, the plaintiff, who was just 24 years old at the time, old at the time was diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma of pericardium. He attributed his illness to childhood use of Johnson & Johnson baby powder. The jury awarded him $25 million.
J&J has been accused of hiding asbestos risks from the public for a number of years. The company has a long history of withholding asbestos findings from regulators and funding asbestos tests to generate the results it wanted. A number of the company's talcum powder suppliers have been named in these lawsuits and include Whittaker, Clark & Daniels and Imerys Talc America.
Some women who used talcum to provide feminine hygiene on sanitary pads or condoms as well as in the genital region have developed ovarian and mesothelioma. The lawsuits claim that J&J was aware for more than forty years that the powder could cause ovarian cancer and other illnesses, but failed to warn consumers.
Symptoms of mesothelioma include abdominal pain as well as abdominal lumps, abdominal swelling and persistent coughing. Doctors can detect mesothelioma with physical examination and imaging scans. These may include CT (computer tomography) scans, MRIs and PET or X-rays.
If mesothelioma has been diagnosed, patients can undergo surgery, chemotherapy or radiotherapy. Depending on the location of their tumors, surgeons might be able to remove the affected tissue. Certain patients with mesothelioma have a life expectancy less than five. However, aggressive treatments such as extracorporeal tissue transplantation and chemotherapy for cytoreduction that uses hyperthermic intraperitoneal therapy can prolong survival.
What is the cause of Mesothelioma?
Like all cancers, mesothelioma is caused when a cell's DNA experiences mutations. These mutations lead to uncontrolled cell growth, which forms tumors in tissues. Asbestos is the most frequent cause of mesothelioma. Asbestos exposure can occur in many different industries such as mining, manufacturing, construction and transportation. Asbestos is typically exposed between 20 and 40 years prior to the onset of symptoms becoming apparent. Mesothelioma is more prevalent in men than women, and is most often diagnosed in people in their 50s to 70s. The kind of mesothelioma involving asbestos that someone develops is usually determined by the location they were exposed. The majority of patients diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma that affects the lung. Some are diagnosed with peritoneal melanoma, one type of mesothelioma which affects the abdomen. In addition, some individuals are diagnosed with pericardial mesothelioma. It is the most rare form of the disease that affects the lining of the heart (pericardium) and the organ itself.
Shortness of breath, fatigue, and abdominal pain are all signs of mesothelioma. In the last stages of mesothelioma, tumors may expand to other parts of the body, causing severe discomfort and pain. 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 case in Oakland involved a man of 24 years old who was diagnosed with pericardial msothelioma following the use of J&J baby powder. His lawyers argued the company knew that talc contained asbestos, but didn't warn customers. They also cited a letter in 1998 to a J&J executive that revealed the possibility of asbestos in their products.
This is only the latest in a string of high-dollar verdicts against J&J. In March, J&J's Talcum Powder caused ovarian mesothelioma to a woman. Last month, another jury in Missouri handed down $55 million in the same case. In addition, seven cases were added to the talcum powder MDL over the course of the month and brought the total number of lawsuits pending to 37,522. Most of these lawsuits are filed by women who have used J&J talcum powder to maintain feminine hygiene.
How Can I Tell If I Have Mesothelioma?
A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be devastating. Patients should always see a specialist to get the most accurate information available and avoid misdiagnosis that could lead to unnecessary treatment or allow cancer to grow.
A physical exam and a blood test could be a good start to identify whether mesothelioma has caused symptoms. These tests can be used to check for asbestos fibers in blood, or the health of a patient's internal organs. The most reliable method to identify mesothelioma is with biopsy, which is when doctors remove fluid or tissue from the affected area and examine it under a microscope to look for mesothelioma cells.
The type of mesothelioma a person has can also influence their prognosis. Pleural mesothelioma, that forms in the thin lining that surrounds the lung, is the most common form of the disease and accounts for the vast majority of diagnosed cases. Peritoneal cancer, which develops in the lining surrounding the abdomen, is a less common form. The pericardial mesothelioma, an uncommon type that develops in the heart's lining, is more rare and only represents about 1% of cases.
A shortness of breath that is more severe with time, and bloody coughing are a few of the initial symptoms. Asbestos patients can also experience fluid accumulation within the chest cavity. This condition is called Pleural effusion. This can be drained by inserting a needle in the affected area of the chest cavity. In more serious cases, doctors may perform pleurodesis, a procedure which seals the area to prevent fluid from accumulating again within the pleura.
A reliable diagnosis of mesothelioma is crucial in determining a patient's survival rate and treatment options. There are many options for treatment that include surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. Other options include immunotherapy which increases the immune system to fight mesothelioma and cancer treating fields that employ a magnetic field in order 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 doctor their history of 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 developed ovarian cancer or another disease such as mesothelioma or other cancers, you could be entitled to significant compensation. Contact us today to receive an absolutely free case evaluation. We can help you file a mesothelioma lawsuit against J&J and hold them accountable for their actions.
Elgin mesothelioma lawsuits is an uncommon and fatal illness caused by asbestos exposure is a rare disease. Asbestos was once used extensively in a range of consumer and industrial products including baby powder. The plaintiffs in talcum powder cases claim that inhaling talcum powder contributed to asbestos exposure and subsequently mesothelioma and various other health issues.
J&J did not warn the public about the dangers of asbestos and talcum, despite knowing them for many years. Plaintiffs have filed mesothelioma lawsuits against the company seeking compensatory and punitive damages. The claims have been consolidated into state and federal multidistrict litigations or MDLs.
In 2018, one of the largest talc cases led to a $4.7 billion verdict in favor of the plaintiff. The news made headlines across the country and set the stage for the rest of the litigation. Last month, a court denied J&J's request to dismiss the lawsuits filed by the state.
However, in an effort to stop the lawsuit, J&J tried again. The company set up a new subsidiary entity to take over its talc liabilities, and LTL Management filed for bankruptcy. The bankruptcy was able to halt thousands of talc lawsuits however, the 3rd Circuit rejected this strategy.
The lawsuits brought by the state of Mississippi are founded on the same allegations as the individual lawsuits against J&J that claim that the company's failure to warn of the dangers of ovarian cancer from talcum powder was negligent and violated state law.
J&J has filed a motion to dismiss lawsuits to another bankruptcy court. A hearing is scheduled for June to decide whether the lawsuits against J&J will be allowed to proceed. If you or someone near you has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, or another condition which could have been caused by talcum powder. You must seek legal advice immediately. Our experienced attorneys will assist you in getting the justice you deserve.