Mesothelioma Lawyer Files Talc Lawsuit Against Johnson & Johnson
A 24-year-old man with pericardial mesothelioma has alleged Johnson and Johnson's baby powder caused his cancer. The Oakland mesothelioma case is 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 made in talc cases in New Jersey and California. Plaintiffs attributed cancer to asbestos found in J&J products Shower to Shower and baby powder.
What is Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma, a deadly form of cancer, affects the mesothelium or lining around organs and cavities within the body. It is most common in the lungs, but can also be found in the chest and abdomen cavity. Asbestos, which is the only known cause of this illness, is asbestos. People who have been exposed are at risk of developing it.
The first trial following J&J declared bankruptcy on its talcum-powder division opened in Oakland, California this week. Jurors were inspired by the story of the plaintiff. The plaintiff, who is only 24 years old was diagnosed with malignant pericardial mesothelioma 2022. He attributed the cause of his condition to his childhood use Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder. The jury awarded him $25 million.
J&J has been accused of obfuscating asbestos-related risks from consumers for a long time. The company has a long history of obstructing asbestos research from regulators, and even supplying asbestos tests to achieve the results it desired. A number of the company's talcum powder suppliers have been named in these lawsuits, including Whittaker, Clark & Daniels and Imerys Talc America.
Women who used talcum to provide feminine hygiene on pads or condoms as well as 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 illnesses, but failed to warn consumers.
The symptoms of mesothelioma are abdominal pain and abdominal swelling, abdominal lumps, and persistent coughing. Doctors can identify the disease by a 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 and/or radiotherapy. The surgeons can remove affected tissue, based on the location of the tumors. Patients with mesothelioma may have a life expectancy less than five. However, aggressive treatments such as extracorporeal transplantation of tissue and chemotherapy for cytoreduction that uses hyperthermic intraperitoneal therapy can prolong the duration of survival.
What causes Mesothelioma?
Like many cancers, mesothelioma is caused when a cell's DNA experiences mutations. These mutations cause the cells to multiply uncontrollably and develop tumors in tissues of the body. Asbestos is a common cause mesothelioma. Asbestos exposure is common in many different industries including mining, manufacturing and transportation. Asbestos exposure usually occurs between in the 20 to 40 years preceding symptoms appear. Mesothelioma is more common in males than women, and it is most commonly diagnosed in those in their 50s and 70s. The type of mesothelioma that a person is usually determined by the part of their body that were exposed to asbestos. Most mesothelioma patients are diagnosed with pleural msothelioma which affects the lung. Others are diagnosed as having peritoneal mesothelioma. This type of mesothelioma affects the abdomen. In addition, some individuals are diagnosed with pericardial mesothelioma, an extremely rare type of the disease that affects the heart's lining (pericardium) and the organ itself.
Insomnia, fatigue, and abdominal pain are all signs of mesothelioma. In the late stages of mesothelioma tumors may spread to other areas of the body, causing extreme pain and discomfort. Other typical symptoms of mesothelioma include fluid on the lungs (pleural effusion) and a loss of appetite, difficulties swallowing, and a blockage of the small intestine, referred to as a obstruction of the bowel. Mesothelioma can be fatal.
The trial involving talcum powder in Oakland involved a 24-year-old man who was diagnosed with pericardial cancer due to 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 a letter in 1998 to an J&J executive which revealed asbestos could be present in their products.
This is just the latest in a series of large verdicts against J&J. In March, a jury awarded $18.8 million to a woman who developed ovarian mesothelioma from J&J's talcum powder. Then, last month the jury in Missouri awarded $55 million in a different case that involved the same issue. Seven new cases have been added to the MDL talcum-powder in the last month, which brings the total to 37,522 the number of lawsuits pending. The majority of these lawsuits concern women who used J&J's Talcum powder to wash their feminine hygiene.
How Can I tell whether I have mesothelioma not?
A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be devastating. Patients should always see a specialist to get the most accurate information available and avoid misdiagnosis which could lead to unnecessary treatment and allow cancer to spread more.
A physical examination and a blood test could be an excellent way to determine whether mesothelioma has caused symptoms. These tests can be used to check for asbestos fibers in blood or to assess the health of a patient's internal organs. lexington mesothelioma law firm to diagnose mesothelioma is by biopsy, which is when doctors remove fluid or tissue from the affected area and then examine the area under a microscope to search for mesothelioma cancer cells.
The type of mesothelioma that is present in a patient can influence their prognosis. Pleural mesothelioma that develops in the thin lining that surrounds the lungs, is the frequent form of the disease and accounts for the majority of diagnosed cases. Peritoneal mesothelioma, a cancer that develops in the abdomen's lining, is less common. Lastly, pericardial msothelioma is a rare kind that is found in the lining of the heart. It only accounts for 1% of all cases.
The first signs include shortness of breath that gets worse over time and a coughing up of blood. Asbestos patients might also experience fluid buildup in the chest cavity, a condition known as pleural effusion. This can be drained by inserting a needle into the affected region of the chest cavity. In more serious cases, doctors can perform a procedure called pleurodesis to close the space to stop the reaccumulation of fluid in the pleura.
A reliable diagnosis of mesothelioma is crucial to determine the patient's survival rate as well as treatment options. There are many treatments available which include chemotherapy, surgery and radiation. Other options include immunotherapy, a type of treatment that boosts the immune system to fight mesothelioma cancer cells and tumor-removing fields, which employ a magnetic field to kill cancerous cells.
A mesothelioma expert can also assist patients in understanding different mesothelioma cells, which determine the extent of the cancer as well as the outlook of the patient. Patients should discuss their history of asbestos exposure with their doctor to determine if they are mesothelioma-related and find out what types of treatment are available to them.
How Can I get help?
If you've 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 now for a free, no obligation case evaluation. We can help you bring mesothelioma suits 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 widely used in many consumer and industrial products including baby powder. In talcum-powder lawsuits plaintiffs claim that exposure to asbestos from inhaling the powder led to the development of mesothelioma or other health problems.
J&J failed to inform the public about the dangers of talcum and asbestos even though they had been aware of their dangers for many years. Plaintiffs have filed lawsuits seeking punitive damages and compensatory damages against the company. These claims have been consolidated in federal and state multidistrict lawsuits, also known as MDLs.
In 2018, one of the largest talc cases led to a $4.7 billion verdict in the favor of the plaintiff. This made national headlines and set the stage for the rest of the litigation. Last month, a court denied J&J's request to dismiss the lawsuits brought by the state.
In an attempt to derail the litigation, J&J tried again. The company created a new subsidiary entity to assume its talc liabilities and LTL Management filed for bankruptcy. The bankruptcy was able to halt the talc lawsuits of thousands, however, the 3rd Circuit rejected this strategy.
The lawsuits brought by Mississippi are based upon the same allegations as those of the individual lawsuits filed against J&J. They assert that the company acted negligently in failing to warn of the possibility of ovarian carcinoma from talcum powder and that this constituted an infraction to the law of the state.
J&J has filed a motion to dismiss lawsuits to another bankruptcy court. A hearing is scheduled for June 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 which could have been caused talcum powder. You should seek legal counsel immediately. Our skilled lawyers can help you receive the compensation you deserve.