Mesothelioma Lawyer Files Talc Lawsuit Against Johnson & Johnson
A 24-year-old with pericardial msothelioma claims that Johnson & Johnson baby powder is to blame for his cancer. The Oakland mesothelioma case is the first to proceed since J&J spun off its talc business and filed for bankruptcy.
In the first quarter of the year, substantial settlements were reached in talc cases in New Jersey and California. Plaintiffs blamed their cancer on asbestos in J&J's Shower to Baby and Shower Powder products.
What is Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is a lethal form of cancer, affects the mesothelium or the lining that surrounds organs and cavities within the body. It is most prevalent in the lungs, but it can be located in the abdomen and chest cavity. Asbestos, the only known cause of this disease, is asbestos. People who have been exposed are at a higher risk of developing it.
The first trial since J&J declared its Talcum Powder division bankrupt began this week, and jurors in Oakland, California were emotional when they heard the testimony 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 the cause of his condition to his use of Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder. The jury awarded him $26 million.
J&J is accused of obfuscating asbestos-related risks from consumers for decades. J&J has a history of withholding asbestos findings from regulators and even funding asbestos tests to get the results it wanted. A number of the company's talcum powder suppliers have been named in these lawsuits, including Whittaker, Clark & Daniels and Imerys Talc America.
Some women who used talcum for feminine hygiene on pads or condoms or in the genital area have been diagnosed with mesothelioma and ovarian cancer. The lawsuits assert that J&J knew for more than 40 years that using the powder led to mesothelioma and ovarian cancer however, they failed to warn consumers of the risk.
Mesothelioma symptoms include abdominal pain as well as abdominal lumps, abdominal swelling, and persistent coughing. Doctors can identify the disease through a physical exam and imaging scans. These may include CT (computer tomography) scans, MRIs and PET or X-rays.
When a mesothelioma diagnosis is confirmed, patients can undergo chemotherapy, surgery, or radiation. The surgeons can remove affected tissue based on the location of the tumors. Certain patients with mesothelioma have a lifespan less than five. However, aggressive treatments such as extracorporeal tissue transplantation and cytoreduction using hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy can prolong the life of patients.
What is the cause of Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma, as with most cancers, is caused by DNA mutations within a cell. The mutations cause the cells to multiply uncontrollably and form tumors in the tissues of the body. Asbestos is the most frequent cause of mesothelioma. Asbestos exposure can be found in a variety of industries such as manufacturing, mining, construction and transportation. Asbestos exposure is typically seen in the 20 to 40 years preceding symptoms develop. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than females. It is also found most often among those between the ages 50 and 70. The type of asbestos-related mesothelioma that a person develops is usually determined by the location on their body they were exposed. The majority of people diagnosed with mesothelioma are diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma which affects the lungs. Other patients are diagnosed with peritoneal melanoma, which is a mesothelioma type that affects the abdomen. Finally, some people are diagnosed with pericardial mesothelioma. It is an extremely rare type of the disease that affects the heart's lining (pericardium) and the organ itself.
Mesothelioma symptoms include fatigue, breathlessness, abdominal pain and weight loss. In the later stages of mesothelioma, the tumors can spread to different areas of the body, creating severe discomfort and pain. Other symptoms of mesothelioma include fluid in the lung, a loss of appetite and difficulty swallowing and eating. Mesothelioma can be fatal.
The trial involving talcum powder in Oakland involved a man aged 24 who was diagnosed with pericardial cancer due to the use of J&J baby powder. His lawyers argued that J&J knew that talc contained asbestos but did not inform customers. They also cited a letter in 1998 to an J&J executive which revealed the possibility of asbestos in their products.
This is 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 contracted mesothelioma ovarian from J&J's talcum powder, and last month the jury in Missouri awarded $55 million in a separate case that involved the same issue. In addition, seven cases were added to the powder talcum MDL over the course of the month and brought the total number of lawsuits pending to 37,522. The majority of these lawsuits are filed by women who used J&J talcum powder to maintain their feminine hygiene.
How Can I tell whether I have mesothelioma not?
merced mesothelioma attorney of mesothelioma could be devastating. Patients should always seek out a specialist for the most accurate diagnosis and to prevent misdiagnosis, which could result in unnecessary treatment and cancer spreading.
A physical examination and a blood test could be an effective way to determine whether mesothelioma has caused symptoms. These tests can be used to determine asbestos fibers in the blood or to determine the extent to which a patient's organs are functioning. The most precise method to diagnose mesothelioma is taking a biopsy. Doctors extract tissues or fluids from the affected area and then examine them under a microscope for mesothelioma cancer cells.
The type of mesothelioma is present in a patient can influence their prognosis. Pleural mesothelioma, that forms in the thin lining that surrounds the lungs, is the most common form of the disease and makes up the majority of diagnosed cases. Peritoneal cancer, which develops in the lining of the abdomen is a less prevalent 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 which gets worse with time and coughing up blood. Asbestos patients may also experience fluid accumulation within the chest cavity. This is known as pleural effusion. The fluid can be removed from the chest cavity by inserting an needle into the affected area. In more severe cases doctors may opt to perform pleurodesis, a procedure which seals the area to prevent the fluid from accumulating within the pleura.
A reliable diagnosis of mesothelioma is essential to determining a patient's survival rate and treatment options. There are many treatments available which include chemotherapy, surgery and radiation. Other options include immunotherapy, which increases the immune system to fight mesothelioma as well as tumor treating fields that use a magnetic field in order to kill cancerous cell.
A mesothelioma specialist may also assist patients in understanding the different mesothelioma types that determine the extent of the cancer and the outlook for patients. Patients should discuss with their physician their experiences with asbestos exposure to determine if mesothelioma is an option and what treatment options are available.
How Can I Get Help?
If you have used Johnson & Johnson talcum powder and then developed ovarian cancer, or a different illness such as mesothelioma, you could be entitled to significant compensation. Contact us now for a no-cost, non- obligation case evaluation. We can assist you in filing mesothelioma lawsuits against J&J and make J&J accountable for their negligence.
Mesothelioma, a rare and fatal disease caused by asbestos exposure, is a rare disease. Asbestos was a time when it was 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 contributed to their exposure to asbestos which led to mesothelioma as well as other health issues.
J&J was allegedly aware of the risk of talcum powder and asbestos for decades, but did not warn consumers. Plaintiffs have filed mesothelioma lawsuits against J&J seeking punitive and compensatory damages. These lawsuits have been combined into federal and state multidistrict litigations, also known as MDLs.
In 2018, one of the largest talc cases led to a $4.7 billion settlement in favor of the plaintiff. This was a national news story that set the precedent for the rest. In the last month, a judge ruled against the motion of J&J to dismiss the lawsuits filed by the state of Mississippi.
J&J however, tried again to halt the litigation. LTL Management, a subsidiary of J&J, filed for bankruptcy after the company created an entity to take over its obligations. The bankruptcy stopped the filing of thousands of talc lawsuits, but the 3rd Circuit rejected that strategy.
The lawsuits brought by Mississippi are based upon the same allegations 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 constituted an infraction to the law of the state.
J&J has submitted its motion to dismiss lawsuits to a different bankruptcy court. A hearing is scheduled for June in order to determine if the lawsuits against J&J will be allowed to continue. If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with mesothelioma or other disease that could have been caused by talcum powder you should seek legal assistance immediately. Our lawyers are experienced and can assist you in obtaining the compensation you deserve.