Mesothelioma Lawyer Files Talc Lawsuit Against Johnson & Johnson
A man aged 24 with pericardial msothelioma claims that Johnson & Johnson baby powder is responsible for his cancer. The Oakland mesothelioma trial is the first to proceed since J&J separated its talc business and filed for bankruptcy.
In the beginning of this year, large settlements were made in talc lawsuits in New Jersey and California. Plaintiffs attributed their cancer to asbestos in J&J's Shower Baby and Shower Powder products.
What is Santa Maria mesothelioma lawyers ?
Mesothelioma, a deadly type of cancer, affects the mesothelium or the lining that surrounds organs and cavities inside the body. It is most common in the lungs but can be found in the abdomen and chest cavity. Asbestos is the sole known cause of mesothelioma, and people who have been exposed to asbestos are at a higher chance of developing the disease.
The first trial since J&J declared its Talcum Powder division bankrupt began this week and jurors in Oakland, California were emotional as they listened to 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 the reason for his illness to his early use of Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder. The jury awarded him $25 million.
J&J is accused of obfuscating asbestos risks from consumers since several decades. J&J has a history of hiding asbestos-related findings from regulators, and even supplying asbestos tests to achieve the results it wanted. Some 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 on sanitary pads or condoms, or in the genital region have developed ovarian and mesothelioma. The lawsuits assert that J&J was aware for more than 40 years that the powder could trigger ovarian cancer and other diseases, but failed to warn consumers.
Mesothelioma symptoms include abdominal pain, abdominal lumps, abdominal swelling and persistent coughing. Doctors can diagnose the condition 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 and/or radiation. Depending on the location of their tumors surgeons might be able to remove the affected tissue. Patients with mesothelioma are sometimes given an expected life expectancy of less than five years. However, aggressive treatments like extracorporeal membrane transplant and cytoreduction with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy may prolong the duration of their survival.
What causes Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma, like most cancers is caused by DNA changes within a cell. These mutations lead to uncontrolled growth of cells, which causes tumors to form in tissues. Asbestos is a common cause of mesothelioma. Asbestos exposure can be found in a variety of industries such as mining, manufacturing and transportation. Asbestos exposure usually occurs between 20 to 40 years before symptoms begin to manifest. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma compared to women. It is also found most often in people between the ages of 50 and 70. The type of asbestos-related mesothelioma that a person develops is usually determined by the place on their body they were exposed. Most mesothelioma patients are diagnosed with pleural melanoma, which affects the lung. Other patients are diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma. which is a mesothelioma type that affects the abdomen. Some patients are diagnosed with pericardial mesothelioma. This is an extremely rare type of cancer that affects both the liner (pericardium), and the organ itself.
A lack of breath as well as abdominal pain and fatigue are all symptoms of mesothelioma. In the final stages of mesothelioma tumors can spread to other areas of the body, which can cause severe pain and discomfort. Other typical symptoms of mesothelioma include fluid on the lungs (pleural effusion), loss of appetite, difficulty swallowing and a blockage within the small intestine, referred to as a bowel obstruction. Mesothelioma is a terminal disease, and is often fatal.
The talcum-powder trial in Oakland involved an individual 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 contained asbestos, but did not warn consumers. They also cited a 1998 letter to an J&J executive revealing the possibility of asbestos in their products.
This is the latest in a string of large verdicts against J&J. In March the jury awarded $18.8 million to a woman who contracted ovarian mesothelioma from J&J's talcum powder. Last month a jury in Missouri awarded $55 million in a different case that dealt with the same issue. In addition, seven cases were added to the powder talcum MDL over the last month, bringing the total number of pending lawsuits to 37,522. The majority of these lawsuits concern women who used J&J's Talcum powder to wash their feminine hygiene.
How do I know If I Have Mesothelioma?
A diagnosis of mesothelioma could be devastating. Patients should consult a specialist to get the most accurate information possible and avoid misdiagnosis which could result in unneeded treatment or allow cancer to grow.
A physical examination and a blood sample can help identify mesothelioma symptoms. These tests can be used to look for asbestos fibers in blood or the health of the patient's internal organs. The most precise method to diagnose mesothelioma is by a biopsy, where 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 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 around the abdomen is a less prevalent type. The pericardial msothelioma, in turn, is a rare kind that develops in the lining of the heart. It's only one percent of all cases.
Some of the first symptoms include breathlessness that becomes worse over time and coughing up blood. Asbestos victims might also experience fluid buildup in the chest cavity, which is known as pleural effusion. The fluid can be drained from the chest cavity by inserting a needle into the affected region. In more serious cases, doctors might perform pleurodesis. This is an operation which seals the area to stop the fluid from accumulating within the pleura.
A mesothelioma accurate diagnosis 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 is a form of treatment that enhances the immune system to fight mesothelioma cells and tumor-removing fields, which employ a magnetic field to kill cancerous cells.
A specialist in mesothelioma can also help patients understand the different mesothelioma cells that determine how aggressive the cancer is and what the prognosis of the patient is. Patients should discuss their experience of asbestos exposure with their physician to determine if they are mesothelioma-related and learn about the various types of treatment options are available to them.
How Can I Get Help?
If you've used Johnson & Johnson talcum powder and developed ovarian cancer or another illness like mesothelioma, you may be entitled to significant compensation. Contact us today for an absolutely free assessment of your case. We can assist you with filing mesothelioma claims against J&J and hold them accountable for their actions.
Mesothelioma, a rare and fatal disease caused by asbestos exposure is a rare condition. Asbestos was once used extensively in a variety of industrial and consumer products including baby powder. In talcum powder cases, plaintiffs claim that exposure to asbestos through inhalation of the powder led to the development of mesothelioma and other health issues.
J&J failed to warn the public about the dangers of talcum and asbestos, despite knowing them for decades. Plaintiffs have filed mesothelioma lawsuits against the firm seeking damages for punitive and compensatory. These lawsuits have been amalgamated into federal and state multidistrict litigations or MDLs.
In 2018, one of the first major trial involving talc resulted in a $4.7 billion verdict for the plaintiff. It was a national news story that set the precedent for the rest. In the last month, a judge denied J&J's motion to dismiss the lawsuits brought by the state.
In an attempt to derail the litigation, J&J tried again. The company established an additional subsidiary entity to take over its talc liabilities, and LTL Management filed for bankruptcy. The bankruptcy stopped thousands of talc lawsuits, but the 3rd Circuit rejected this strategy.
The lawsuits filed by the state of Mississippi are built on the same allegations as the individual lawsuits filed against J&J which allege that the company's inability to warn consumers about the dangers of ovarian cancer resulting from the talcum powder was negligent and was a violation of the law of the state.
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 can continue. If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, or any other condition that could be caused by talcum powder, you should seek legal assistance immediately. Our experienced lawyers will assist you in getting the compensation you deserve.