Mesothelioma Lawyer Files Talc Lawsuit Against Johnson & Johnson
A 24-year-old man with mesothelioma pericardial has claimed that Johnson and Johnson's baby powder caused his cancer. The Oakland mesothelioma case is the first to proceed since J&J has dissolved 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. lake charles mesothelioma lawsuit have linked cancer to asbestos that was found in J&J products Shower to Shower and baby powder.
What is Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is a deadly type of cancer that affects the mesothelium, the lining that surrounds organs and body cavities. It is most common in the lungs, but it can also be found in the chest and abdomen cavity. Asbestos, the only known cause of this disease is asbestos. People who have been exposed are at a higher chance of developing it.
The first trial since J&J declared its talcum powder division bankrupt opened this week and jurors in Oakland, California were emotional when they heard the story of the plaintiff. The plaintiff, who is just 24 years old was diagnosed with malignant pericardial mesothelioma 2022. He blamed the cause of his condition to his early use of Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder. The jury awarded him $25 million.
J&J has been accused of concealing asbestos risks from consumers for several decades. The company has a long history of hiding asbestos-related findings from regulators, and even supplying asbestos tests to achieve the results it wanted. These lawsuits have named several of the company's suppliers of talcum powder such as Whittaker Clark & Daniels, Imerys Talc America, and others.
Many women who used talcum powder to maintain feminine hygiene in the genital area or on sanitary napkins or condoms have gotten ovarian cancer, and some have been diagnosed with mesothelioma. The lawsuits allege that J&J knew for more than 40 years that the powder could cause mesothelioma and ovarian cancer, however, they failed to warn consumers of the danger.
The symptoms of mesothelioma are abdominal pain as well as abdominal lumps, abdominal swelling and a persistent cough. Doctors can detect mesothelioma with physical examination and imaging scans. They can include CT (computer tomography) scans, MRIs and PET or X-rays.
If a mesothelioma diagnosis has been confirmed, patients may undergo chemotherapy, surgery and/or radiation. Depending on the location of their tumors, surgeons might be able to remove the affected tissue. Certain patients with mesothelioma have a lifespan less than five. However, aggressive treatments such as extracorporeal tissue transplantation and the cytoreduction process using hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy can prolong the life of patients.
What causes Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that is caused by DNA mutations within a cell. These mutations cause the cells to multiply uncontrollably and form tumors in the tissues of the body. Asbestos is the most common cause of mesothelioma. The exposure to asbestos can occur in a variety of fields such as manufacturing, mining construction, and transportation. Asbestos exposure is typically seen in the 20 to 40 years preceding symptoms develop. Mesothelioma is more common in males than women, and is usually diagnosed in people who are in their 50s and 70s. The kind of mesothelioma caused by asbestos that someone develops is usually determined by the place on their body they were exposed. The majority of patients diagnosed with pleural msothelioma, which affects the lung. Other patients are diagnosed with peritoneal msothelioma. This kind of mesothelioma affects the abdomen. Some people are diagnosed with pericardial msothelioma. This is an extremely rare form of disease that affects both the inner lining (pericardium) and the organ itself.
Insomnia, fatigue, and abdominal pain are all signs of mesothelioma. In the later mesothelioma stages, the tumors may spread to other areas of the body causing severe pain and discomfort. Other common symptoms of mesothelioma include swelling of the lung (pleural effusion) and a loss of appetite, difficulty swallowing and a blockage in the small intestine referred to as a bowel obstruction. Mesothelioma is a terminal illness, and it can be fatal.
The talcum powder trial in Oakland involved an individual of 24 who developed pericardial mesothelioma as a result of using J&J baby powder. His lawyers argued that the company knew talc could contain asbestos, but didn't inform consumers. They also cited a letter from 1998 to a J&J executive which revealed asbestos could be 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 to a woman. In March, a jury in Missouri awarded $55 Million in the same case. In addition, seven cases were added to the powder's MDL in the last month and brought the total number of lawsuits pending to 37,522. The majority of these lawsuits are filed by women who have used J&J talcum powder to maintain their feminine hygiene.
How do I know if I Have Mesothelioma?
A diagnosis of mesothelioma could be devastating. Patients should always consult a specialist to ensure the most accurate diagnosis and to prevent misdiagnosis, which could lead to unneeded treatment and spread of cancer.
A physical examination and blood test could be an effective way to determine whether mesothelioma is causing symptoms. These tests can check for asbestos fibers in blood or to assess how well a patient's organs are functioning. The most reliable method to diagnose mesothelioma is the procedure of a biopsy. Doctors take tissues or fluids from an affected area, and examine them under a microscope for mesothelioma cancer cells.
The type of mesothelioma that is present in a patient can affect his or her prognosis. Pleural mesothelioma, the most commonly encountered type of disease and accounts for the majority of cases diagnosed. Peritoneal mesothelioma is a type of cancer that develops in the abdomen's lining is not as common. The pericardial msothelioma, in turn, is a rare form of cancer that develops in the lining of the heart. It only accounts for 1percent of all cases.
The breath is short, and becomes worse over time, and bloody coughing are among the first symptoms. Asbestos sufferers can also experience fluid accumulation in the chest cavity, a condition called pleural effusion. This can be drained by inserting a needle into the affected region of the chest cavity. In more severe cases, doctors may use a procedure known as pleurodesis to seal the space to prevent reaccumulation of fluid in the pleura.
A precise diagnosis of mesothelioma is essential to determining the rate of survival for a patient and treatment options. Surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation are all options. Other options include immunotherapy, which increases the immune system to fight mesothelioma and cancer treating fields that employ magnetic fields to kill cancerous cell.
A mesothelioma specialist can assist patients in understanding various mesothelioma cell types which determine the severity of the cancer and the outlook for patients. Patients should discuss with their doctor their experiences with asbestos exposure to determine whether mesothelioma could be a possibility and what treatment options are available.
How Can I get help?
If you've used Johnson & Johnson talcum powder and have been diagnosed with ovarian cancer or another illness like mesothelioma, you may be entitled to significant compensation. Contact us today to receive a no-obligation, free case evaluation. We can assist you in filing a mesothelioma lawsuit against J&J and hold J&J accountable for their negligence.
Mesothelioma, an extremely rare and fatal condition caused by asbestos exposure, is a rare disease. Asbestos was once used extensively in a wide range of industrial and consumer products, including baby powder. Plaintiffs in talcum powder lawsuits claim that inhaling talcum powder led to asbestos exposure which led to mesothelioma and other health problems.
J&J did not inform the public about the dangers of asbestos and talcum, despite knowing them for many years. Plaintiffs have filed lawsuits seeking punitive damages as well as compensatory damages against the company. These lawsuits have been consolidated in federal and state multidistrict lawsuits, or MDLs.
In 2018, one of the first large talc trials resulted in a $4.7 billion verdict for the plaintiff. This was a major news story and set the tone for the remainder of the litigation. In the last month, a judge rejected a motion by J&J to dismiss the lawsuits brought by the state of Mississippi.
J&J however, attempted to stop the litigation. The company established an entity that was a subsidiary to take on its talc liability, and LTL Management filed for bankruptcy. The bankruptcy stayed thousands of talc lawsuits, but the 3rd Circuit rejected this strategy.
The lawsuits brought by the state of Mississippi are based on the same allegations as the individual lawsuits against J&J that claim that the company's inability to warn about the risks of ovarian cancer caused by talcum powder was negligent and violated state law.
J&J has resubmitted its motion to dismiss the lawsuits to an alternative bankruptcy court. A hearing is scheduled for June to determine whether the lawsuits against J&J will be allowed to proceed. If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with mesothelioma or other disease that could be caused by talcum powder, you should seek legal assistance immediately. Our skilled attorneys can help you receive compensation you deserve.