Mesothelioma Lawyer Files Talc Lawsuit Against Johnson & Johnson
A man who is 24 years old and has pericardial mesotheliom claims that Johnson & Johnson baby powder is responsible for his cancer. The Oakland mesothelioma trial is one of the first one to be held since J&J separated its talc business and filed for bankruptcy.
In the first quarter of this year, large settlements were made 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, which is a fatal type of cancer is a disease of the mesothelium the lining surrounding organs and cavities inside the body. It is most prevalent in the lungs but can also be found in the chest and abdomen cavity. Asbestos is the most well-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 in the pericardium. He attributed the cause of his condition to his early use of Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder. The jury awarded him $26 million.
J&J has been accused of concealing asbestos risks from the public for decades. The company has a long tradition of keeping asbestos information from regulators, as well as paying for asbestos tests that produced the results they desired. Several of the company's talcum powder suppliers have been named in these lawsuits which include Whittaker, Clark & Daniels and Imerys Talc America.
Women who used talcum to provide feminine hygiene, such as sanitary pads or condoms as well as in the genital region 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, but failed to warn customers of this risk.
Mesothelioma symptoms can include breathing problems, chronic coughing, abdominal pain, fatigue and lumps or masses on the chest or abdomen. Doctors can identify the disease by a physical examination and imaging scans. These may include CT (computer tomography) scans, MRIs and PET or X-rays.
After a mesothelioma is diagnosed, patients can undergo surgery, chemotherapy, 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, Muncie mesothelioma attorney as extracorporeal tissue transplantation or cytoreduction using hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy can prolong the duration of survival.
What Causes Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that is caused by DNA changes in cells. These mutations cause uncontrolled cell growth that forms tumors in tissues. Asbestos is the most common cause mesothelioma. Exposure to asbestos can occur in a variety of industries, including manufacturing, mining, construction and transportation. Asbestos is usually exposed for 20 to 40 years before symptoms developing. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than females. It is also diagnosed most often in those between the ages of 50 and 70. The kind of mesothelioma involving asbestos that a person develops is usually determined by where they were exposed. Most people with mesothelioma are diagnosed with pleural melanoma, which affects the lungs. Others are diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma, one type of mesothelioma which affects the abdomen. Some people are diagnosed with pericardial msothelioma. This is an extremely rare type of the disease which affects both the lining (pericardium), and the organ itself.
Shortness of breath, fatigue, and abdominal pain are all signs of mesothelioma. In the last stages of mesothelioma, the tumors may grow to other areas, causing severe discomfort and pain. Other signs of mesothelioma can include fluid in the lungs, nausea difficulties eating and swallowing. Mesothelioma is a debilitating illness, and it is often fatal.
The talcum-powder case in Oakland involved a man of 24 years old who was diagnosed with pericardial mesothelioma as a result of using J&J baby powder. His lawyers claimed that J&J knew that talc might contain asbestos, but didn't inform consumers. They also cited a letter from 1998 to a J&J executive that highlighted the possibility of asbestos in their products.
This is the latest in a series of high-dollar verdicts against J&J. In March, J&J's Talcum Powder caused ovarian mesothelioma in one woman. In the same month, a jury in Missouri awarded $55 Million in an identical case. Seven new cases have been added to the MDL talcum powder over the last month, bringing to 37,522 the total number of pending suits. Most of these lawsuits were filed by women who used J&J talcum powder to maintain feminine hygiene.
How do I know whether I have mesothelioma or not?
A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be devastating. Patients should always seek out a specialist to ensure the most precise diagnosis and to avoid false diagnosis, which could lead to unneeded treatment and spread of cancer.
A physical examination and a blood sample can help identify mesothelioma symptoms. These tests can detect asbestos fibers in the blood or to look at the way in which the organs of a patient are functioning. The most accurate way to identify mesothelioma is with a biopsy, where doctors remove fluid or tissue from the affected area and then examine it under a microscope to search for mesothelioma cancer cells.
The type of mesothelioma a person is suffering from also affects the likelihood of a positive outcome. Pleural mesothelioma, that forms in the thin lining around the lungs, is the common form of mesothelioma and accounts for the majority of cases diagnosed. Peritoneal mesothelioma, which is a cancer that forms in the lining of the abdomen is not as common. The pericardial mesothelioma, an uncommon type that develops in the lining of the heart, is more rare and only represents around 1% of cases.
A shortness of breath that becomes worse over time, and bloody coughing are some of the first symptoms. Asbestos victims might also experience fluid buildup in the chest cavity, a condition called pleural effusion. It can be eliminated by inserting a needle into the affected area of the chest cavity. In more severe cases, doctors might perform pleurodesis. This is an operation which seals the area in order to prevent the accumulation of fluid in the pleura.
Getting an accurate mesothelioma diagnosis is the best method to determine a patient's treatment options as well as their survival rate. There are many options for treatment, including surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. Other options include immunotherapy, which enhances the immune system to fight mesothelioma as well as treatment fields for tumors that utilize the power of magnets to kill cancerous cell.
A mesothelioma specialist may also assist patients in understanding different mesothelioma cells, which determine the severity of the cancer and the outlook for patients. Patients should discuss with their physician their history of asbestos exposure to determine whether mesothelioma is possible and what treatment options are available.
How Can I Get Help?
If you've used Johnson & Johnson talcum and you developed an ovarian disease or another like mesothelioma as a result of using the powder, you may be entitled to a substantial amount of compensation. Contact us today for a no-cost, non- obligation case evaluation. We can help you file 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 widely utilized in a variety of industrial and consumer products like baby powder. In talcum-powder lawsuits plaintiffs assert that exposure to asbestos through inhalation of the powder caused them to develop mesothelioma, or other health issues.
J&J believed to have known about the risk of talcum powder and asbestos for decades but failed to warn consumers. Plaintiffs have filed mesothelioma lawsuits against J&J seeking compensatory and punitive damages. The claims have been combined into federal and state multidistrict litigations, or MDLs.
In 2018 one of the biggest Talc cases resulted in a $4.7 billion verdict in the favor of the plaintiff. The news made headlines across the country and set the stage for the remainder of the litigation. In the last month, a judge denied a request by J&J to dismiss the lawsuits filed by the state of Mississippi.
J&J however, attempted again to halt the litigation. LTL Management, a subsidiary of J&J, filed for bankruptcy after the company incorporated an entity to take over its obligations. The bankruptcy stopped thousands of talc lawsuits however, the 3rd Circuit rejected this strategy.
The lawsuits brought by the state of Mississippi are built on the same allegations as the individual lawsuits against J&J: that the company's failure to warn of the dangers of ovarian cancer resulting from talcum powder was negligent, and violated state law.
J&J has submitted its motion to dismiss lawsuits to a different bankruptcy court. A hearing is scheduled for June to decide whether the lawsuits against J&J will be allowed to move forward. If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with a mesothelioma, or any other condition that could be caused by talcum powder, you should seek legal representation immediately. Our skilled lawyers can help you receive the compensation you deserve.