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 the cause of his cancer. The Oakland mesothelioma trial is the first one to be held since J&J separated its Talc business and filed for bankruptcy.
In the beginning of this year, large settlements were made in talc cases in New Jersey and California. Plaintiffs blamed their cancer on asbestos found in J&J's Shower Shower and Baby Powder products.
What is Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma, which is a fatal form of cancer is a disease of the mesothelium the lining surrounding organs and cavities within the body. It is most commonly found in the lungs but it can also occur in the abdomen, heart, chest cavity and testicles. Asbestos, the only known cause of this disease is asbestos. People who have been exposed 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 as they heard the story of the plaintiff. The plaintiff, who is only 24 years old was diagnosed with malignant pericardial mesothelioma 2022. He blamed the reason for his illness to his use of Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder. The jury awarded him $26 million.
J&J has been accused of obfuscating asbestos risks from the public for a number of years. The company has a long history of withholding asbestos findings from regulators and even funding asbestos tests to generate the results it desired. Some of the company's Talcum powder suppliers have been named in these lawsuits, including Whittaker, Clark & Daniels and Imerys Talc America.
Some women who used talcum for feminine hygiene on sanitary pads or condoms as well as in the genital region have developed ovarian and mesothelioma. The lawsuits assert that J&J knew for more than 40 years that using the powder could cause mesothelioma and ovarian cancer, but failed to warn customers of the risk.
The symptoms of mesothelioma are abdominal pain as well as abdominal swelling, abdominal lumps and a persistent cough. Doctors can diagnose mesothelioma by physical examination and imaging scans. They can include CT (computer tomography) scans, MRIs and PET or X-rays.
If mesothelioma has been diagnosed patients may undergo chemotherapy, surgery, and/or radiotherapy. Depending on the site of their tumors, surgeons might be able to remove the affected tissue. Patients with mesothelioma can be given an expected life expectancy of less than five years, but aggressive treatments such as extracorporeal membrane transplant and cytoreduction with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy can extend the duration of their survival.
What causes Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that is caused by DNA mutations within a cell. These mutations lead to uncontrolled cell growth, which creates tumors in the tissues. Asbestos is a common cause of mesothelioma. Exposure to asbestos can occur at work in a variety of industries such as manufacturing, mining construction, and transportation. Asbestos can be exposed for between 20 and 40 years before symptoms becoming apparent. Mesothelioma affects men more than women, and it is most commonly diagnosed in people in their 50s and 70s. The type of mesothelioma that a person gets is often determined by the region of their body in which they were exposed to asbestos. The majority of people diagnosed with mesothelioma are diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma which affects the lungs. Some are diagnosed with peritoneal melanoma, one type of mesothelioma which 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.
Symptoms of mesothelioma include fatigue, breathlessness, abdominal pain and weight loss. In the final stages of mesothelioma tumors can spread to other areas of the body creating extreme pain and discomfort. Other signs of mesothelioma are fluid in the lungs, loss of appetite and difficulty swallowing and eating. Mesothelioma is a fatal illness, and it is often fatal.
The trial involving talcum powder in Oakland involved a 24-year-old man who developed pericardial mesothelioma from the use of J&J baby powder. His lawyers claimed that J&J knew talc could contain asbestos and didn't warn consumers. They also cited a 1998 letter sent to an J&J executive revealing the possibility of asbestos being 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 a similar case. In addition, seven new cases were added to the powder's MDL over the last month which brought the number of pending lawsuits to 37,522. The majority of these lawsuits are brought by women who have used J&J talcum powder to maintain feminine hygiene.
How can I tell whether I have mesothelioma or not?
League City mesothelioma lawsuit of mesothelioma may be devastating. Patients should always seek out a specialist to get the most accurate diagnosis and to prevent misdiagnosis, which could result in unnecessary treatment and the spread of cancer.
A physical exam and a blood sample can help to identify mesothelioma signs. These tests can be used to test for asbestos fibers in blood or to assess the health of a patient's internal organs. The most reliable method to determine if mesothelioma has been detected is through a biopsy, in which doctors remove tissue or fluid from the affected area and then examine it under a microscope in order to detect mesothelioma-related cells.
The type of mesothelioma sufferers have can influence the prognosis of a patient. Pleural mesothelioma that develops in the thin lining of the lung, is the most common form of mesothelioma and accounts for the majority of cases diagnosed. Peritoneal mesothelioma, a cancer that forms in the lining of the abdomen is not as common. In addition, pericardial mesothelioma is a rare kind that develops in the lining of the heart. It's only one percent of all cases.
A shortness of breath that gets worse with time, and bloody coughing are some of the first symptoms. Asbestos sufferers may also experience fluid accumulation in the chest cavity. This is known as the pleural effusion. This can be drained by inserting a needle in the affected region of the chest cavity. In more severe cases doctors may perform pleurodesis, a procedure that seals the space in order to prevent the fluid from accumulating in the pleura.
A precise diagnosis of mesothelioma is essential to determining the rate of survival for a patient and treatment options. Chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation are all options. Other options include immunotherapy which enhances the immune system to fight mesothelioma and tumor treating fields that use the power of magnets to kill cancerous cells.
A mesothelioma expert can also assist patients in understanding different mesothelioma types which determine the extent of the cancer and the outlook for patients. Patients should discuss their history of exposure to asbestos with their doctor to determine if they're a mesothelioma candidate and find out what types of treatment might be available to them.
How Can I Get Help?
If you've used Johnson & Johnson talcum powder and then developed ovarian cancer, or another illness like mesothelioma, you could be eligible for significant compensation. Contact us today for a no-obligation, free assessment of your case. We can assist you with bringing mesothelioma suits against J&J to make them accountable for their negligence.
Mesothelioma is an uncommon and fatal illness caused by asbestos exposure, is a rare disease. Asbestos was once used extensively in a variety of consumer and industrial products including baby powder. In talcum powder cases plaintiffs assert that exposure to asbestos through inhalation of the powder caused them to develop mesothelioma, or other health issues.
J&J failed to inform the public about the dangers of talcum and asbestos, despite knowing them for decades. Plaintiffs have filed lawsuits seeking punitive damages and compensatory damages against J&J. The claims have been combined into federal and state multidistrict litigations, or MDLs.
In 2018, one of the largest Talc trials ended in a $4.7 billion settlement for the plaintiff. This was a major news story and set the stage for the remainder of the litigation. Last month, a court denied J&J's motion to dismiss the lawsuits filed by the state.
J&J, however, tried to stop the litigation. The company established an entity that was a subsidiary to take over its talc liabilities, and LTL Management filed for bankruptcy. The bankruptcy was able to halt thousands of talc lawsuits, but the 3rd Circuit rejected this strategy.
The lawsuits filed by Mississippi are based on the same allegations that are in the background of the individual lawsuits brought against J&J. They claim that the company was negligent in failing to warn of the possibility of ovarian carcinoma from talcum-powder and that this constituted an infraction of 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 are able to continue. If you or someone around you has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, or another condition that could have been caused by talcum powder. You must seek legal advice immediately. Our skilled lawyers can help you receive compensation that you deserve.