Mesothelioma Lawyer Files Talc Lawsuit Against Johnson & Johnson
A 24-year-old with pericardial msothelioma claims that Johnson & Johnson baby powder is the cause of his cancer. The Oakland mesothelioma case is the first trial that has been held since J&J filed for bankruptcy and split off its talc division.
In the early part of the year, substantial settlements were made in talc cases in New Jersey and California. Plaintiffs attributed their cancer to asbestos in J&J's Shower Baby and Shower Powder products.
What is Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma, a deadly type of cancer is a disease of the mesothelium the lining that surrounds organs and cavities inside the body. It is most prevalent in the lungs, but can also be located in the abdomen and chest cavity. Asbestos, which is the only known cause of this disease, is asbestos. People who have been exposed to asbestos are at an increased risk of developing it.
The first trial since J&J declared its Talcum Powder division bankrupt was 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 attributed his illness to the use of Johnson & Johnson baby powder. The jury awarded him $26 million.
J&J has been accused of concealing asbestos-related risks from consumers for decades. The company has a long track record of keeping asbestos information from regulators, and even paying for asbestos tests that gave the results they desired. These lawsuits have named several of the company's suppliers of talcum powder, including Whittaker Clark & Daniels, Imerys Talc America, and other companies.
Many women who used talcum powder for feminine hygiene in the genital areas or on sanitary napkins or condoms have developed cancer of the ovary, and a few have been diagnosed with mesothelioma. The lawsuits claim that J&J was aware for more than forty years that the powder could trigger ovarian cancer and other diseases, but failed to warn consumers.
Mesothelioma symptoms may include breathing difficulties, constant coughing abdominal pain, fatigue, and lumps or masses on the chest or abdomen. Doctors can diagnose the disease by a physical examination and imaging scans. wichita falls mesothelioma law firm include CT scans (computer tomography), MRIs, PET or X rays.
If a mesothelioma diagnosis has been confirmed, patients can undergo surgery, chemotherapy and/or radiation. The surgeons can remove affected tissue based on the location of the tumors. Patients with mesothelioma are sometimes given a life expectancy less than five years, however aggressive treatments such as extracorporeal membrane transplant and cytoreduction with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy can prolong the life expectancy.
What is the cause of Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that is caused by DNA changes in cells. These mutations lead to uncontrolled cell growth, which causes tumors to form in tissues. Asbestos is the leading mesothelioma cause. Asbestos exposure can occur at work in a variety of fields such as manufacturing, mining, construction and transportation. Asbestos can be exposed for between 20 and 40 years prior to the onset of symptoms appearing. Mesothelioma affects men more than women, and it is most often diagnosed in those in their 50s to 70s. The type of mesothelioma a person is usually determined by the region of their body that were exposed to asbestos. The majority of mesothelioma patients are diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma that affects the lung. Some are diagnosed with peritoneal melanoma, a type of mesothelioma that affects the abdomen. Certain people are diagnosed with pericardial msothelioma. This is a rare type of disease that affects both the lining (pericardium) as well as the organ itself.
The symptoms of mesothelioma are shortness of breath, fatigue, abdominal pain and weight loss. In the late stages of mesothelioma, the tumors can spread to different areas of the body which can cause severe pain and discomfort. Other signs of mesothelioma can include fluid in the lungs, nausea and difficulty swallowing and eating. Mesothelioma is a terminal illness, and it is usually fatal.
The talcum powder trial in Oakland involved a man of 24 who was diagnosed with pericardial mesothelioma due to the use of J&J baby powder. His lawyers claimed that J&J knew that talc contained asbestos, but didn't inform consumers. They also cited a 1998 letter to an J&J executive that revealed asbestos could be present in their products.
This is the latest in a series of large verdicts against J&J. In March, J&J's Talcum powder caused ovarian mesothelioma in a woman. In the same month, a jury in Missouri awarded $55 million in a similar case. In addition, seven cases were added to the powder talcum MDL over the last month and brought the total number of pending lawsuits to 37,522. The majority of these lawsuits involve women who have used J&J's talcum powder for feminine hygiene reasons.
How do I know if I Have Mesothelioma?
A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be devastating. Patients should consult a specialist to get the most accurate diagnosis possible and avoid misdiagnosis that could lead to unneeded treatment or allow cancer to spread more.
A physical examination and blood test is an effective way to determine whether mesothelioma is causing symptoms. These tests can be used to test for asbestos fibers in blood or the health of a patient's internal organs. The most precise method of diagnosing mesothelioma involves a biopsy. Doctors remove tissue or fluids from the affected area, and then look at them under a microscope to look for mesothelioma cancerous cells.
The type of mesothelioma a person is suffering from also affects the likelihood of a positive outcome. Pleural mesothelioma that develops in the thin lining around the lungs, is the most frequent form of the disease and accounts for the majority of cases diagnosed. Peritoneal mesothelioma, which is a cancer that is found in the lining of the abdomen is not as common. The pericardial msothelioma, in turn, is a rare type that occurs in the lining the heart. It's only 1% of all cases.
Some of the earliest symptoms include breathlessness which gets worse with time and coughing up blood. Asbestos patients may also experience fluid accumulation within the chest cavity. This is known as the pleural effusion. It can be eliminated by inserting a needle into the affected region of the chest cavity. In more severe cases, doctors might perform a procedure called pleurodesis to close the space to prevent reaccumulation of fluid in the pleura.
A reliable diagnosis of mesothelioma is essential to determining the rate of survival for a patient and treatment options. There are a variety of treatments available, including surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. Other options include immunotherapy. It is a kind of treatment that increases the immune system to fight mesothelioma cancer cells and tumor-targeting fields, which use a magnetic field to destroy cancerous cells.
A mesothelioma specialist may also help patients understand different mesothelioma cells that determine the extent of the cancer as well as the outlook of the patient. Patients should discuss their history of asbestos exposure with their physician to determine if they're mesothelioma candidates and find out what types of treatment might be available to them.
How Can I Get Help?
If you have used Johnson & Johnson talcum powder and have been diagnosed with ovarian cancer or another illness like mesothelioma, you could be eligible for substantial compensation. Contact us today for a no-cost, non- obligation case assessment. We can assist you in bringing mesothelioma lawsuit against J&J to make them accountable for their negligence.
Mesothelioma is an extremely rare and fatal condition caused by asbestos exposure, is a rare condition. Asbestos was once widely used in a range of industrial and consumer products, including baby powder. The plaintiffs in talcum powder cases claim that inhaling talcum powder led to their exposure to asbestos and subsequently mesothelioma and various other health issues.
J&J did not inform the public about the dangers of talcum and asbestos even though they were aware of them for decades. Plaintiffs have filed lawsuits seeking punitive damages and compensatory damages against the company. These lawsuits have been consolidated into state and federal multidistrict litigations, or MDLs.
In 2018 one of the biggest talc cases led to a $4.7 billion settlement in favor of the plaintiff. It was a national news story and set the tone for the rest of the year. In the last month, a judge denied J&J's motion to dismiss the lawsuits filed by the state.
J&J, however, tried again to stall the litigation. The company set up an additional subsidiary entity to assume its talc liabilities and LTL Management filed for bankruptcy. The bankruptcy stopped hundreds of talc suits however, the 3rd Circuit rejected that strategy.
The lawsuits brought by the state of Mississippi are based on the same allegations as the individual lawsuits against J&J: that the company's failure to warn about the risks of ovarian cancer caused by the 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 determine whether the lawsuits against J&J will be allowed to proceed. If you or someone close to you has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, or any other condition that could be the result of talcum powder. You must seek legal advice immediately. Our skilled lawyers can assist you in obtaining the compensation you deserve.