Mesothelioma Lawyer Files Talc Lawsuit Against Johnson & Johnson
A man who is 24 years old and has pericardial mesothelioma has alleged Johnson and Johnson's baby powder caused his cancer. The Oakland mesothelioma case marks the first trial to be held since J&J filed for bankruptcy and split off its talc division.
In the spring of this year, jury awards in New Jersey and California led to large settlements in talc lawsuits. Plaintiffs linked their cancer to asbestos found in J&J's Shower Baby and Shower Powder products.
What is Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is a fatal form of cancer that affects the mesothelium the lining that surrounds organs and body cavities. It is most prevalent in the lungs, but it can be located in the abdomen and chest cavity. Asbestos, the sole known cause of this illness, 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 began this week, and jurors in Oakland, California were emotional as they listened to the plaintiff's story. The plaintiff, who is just 24 years old was diagnosed with malignant pericardial mesothelioma in 2022. The plaintiff attributed his condition to childhood exposure to Johnson & Johnson baby powder. The jury awarded him $25 million.
J&J has been accused of concealing asbestos risks from the public for a number of years. The company has a history of withholding asbestos findings from regulators and even funding asbestos tests to generate the results it wanted. Some of the company's Talcum powder suppliers have been named in these lawsuits, including Whittaker, Clark & Daniels and Imerys Talc America.
Women who used talcum for feminine hygiene, such as sanitary pads or condoms as well as 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 may include difficulty breathing, persistent coughing, fatigue, abdominal pain and lumps or masses on the abdomen or chest. Doctors can detect mesothelioma with a physical exam and imaging scans. These include CT scans (computer tomography), MRIs, PET or X-rays.
When a mesothelioma diagnosis is confirmed, patients may undergo surgery, chemotherapy and/or radiation. Depending on the site of their tumors, surgeons may be able to remove the affected tissue. Patients with mesothelioma may be 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, as with most cancers, is caused by DNA changes in a cell. These mutations can cause uncontrolled cell growth, which forms tumors in tissues. Asbestos is the most common cause mesothelioma. Asbestos exposure can occur in a variety of industries such as manufacturing, mining, and transportation. Asbestos is typically exposed between 20 and 40 years prior to symptoms appearing. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than females. It is also diagnosed most often in people between the ages of 50 and 70. The type of mesothelioma that a sufferer is usually determined by the part 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. Other patients are diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma. This type of mesothelioma affects the abdomen. In addition, some individuals are diagnosed with pericardial melanoma, an extremely rare form of the disease that affects the lining of the heart (pericardium) and the organ itself.
Insomnia, fatigue and abdominal pain are all symptoms of mesothelioma. In the later stages of mesothelioma, tumors may grow to other areas which can cause extreme discomfort and discomfort. Other symptoms that are common to mesothelioma include fluid on the lung (pleural effusion), loss of appetite, difficulty swallowing and a blockage in the small intestine called a bowel obstruction. Mesothelioma can be fatal.
The talcum-powder trial in Oakland involved a man of 24 who developed 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 inform customers. They also cited a 1998 letter addressed to an J&J executive that revealed the possibility of asbestos being present 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 March, a jury in Missouri awarded $55 million in the same case. In addition, seven new cases were added to the talcum powder MDL in the last month, bringing the number of lawsuits pending to 37,522. Most of these lawsuits are brought by women who have used J&J talcum powder to maintain their feminine hygiene.
How Do I Know If I Have Mesothelioma?
The diagnosis of mesothelioma could be devastating. Patients should always consult an expert for the most accurate information available and avoid misdiagnosis that could result in unneeded treatment and let cancer grow.
A physical examination and a blood test is a good start to identify whether mesothelioma may be causing symptoms. These tests can be used to check for asbestos fibers in blood or to assess the health of a patient's internal organs. The most reliable method of diagnosing mesothelioma involves the procedure of a biopsy. Doctors extract tissues or fluids from an affected area and then examine them under a microscope to look for mesothelioma cancer cells.
The type of mesothelioma that a sufferer has also impacts the likelihood of a positive outcome. Pleural mesothelioma, that forms in the thin lining around the lung, is the most common form of the disease and makes up the majority of cases diagnosed. Peritoneal cancer that develops in the lining of the abdomen is a less prevalent type. In addition, pericardial mesothelioma is a rare kind that occurs in the lining the heart. It is only 1% of all cases.
Some of the first symptoms include a shortness of breath which gets worse with time and a coughing up of blood. Asbestos patients may also experience fluid accumulation within the chest cavity. This is known as Pleural effusion. It can be eliminated by inserting a needle into the affected region of the chest cavity. In more severe cases, doctors may undergo a procedure called pleurodesis to seal the space to prevent reaccumulation of fluid in the pleura.
Getting an accurate mesothelioma diagnosis is the most reliable way to determine a patient's treatment options as well as their survival rate. There are a variety of treatments available, including surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. Other options include immunotherapy, which is a form of treatment that enhances the immune system to fight mesothelioma cells and tumor-removing fields, which use the power of magnets to kill cancerous cells.
A mesothelioma specialist can assist patients in understanding the different mesothelioma types, which determine the extent of the cancer and the patient's outlook. Patients should discuss with their doctor their experience with asbestos exposure to determine whether mesothelioma could be a possibility and what treatment options are available.
How Can I Get Help?
If you have used Johnson & Johnson talcum powder and developed ovarian cancer or another illness like mesothelioma, you could be entitled to significant compensation. Contact us today for an obligation-free, no-cost consultation. We can assist you with bringing mesothelioma suits against J&J to make them accountable for their negligence.
Mesothelioma is a rare, but fatal disease that is caused by exposure to asbestos. Asbestos was a time when it was widely used in a wide range of consumer and industrial products, including baby powder. In talcum powder cases plaintiffs assert that asbestos exposure from inhaling the powder led to the development of mesothelioma, or other health issues.
detroit mesothelioma lawsuit &J did not inform the public about the dangers of asbestos and talcum, 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 first major trial involving talc resulted in a $4.7 billion settlement for the plaintiff. This was a national news story that set the stage for the rest of the year. In the last month, a judge denied J&J's request to dismiss the lawsuits filed by the state.
J&J, however, tried again to stall the litigation. The company established a new subsidiary entity to take over its talc liabilities and LTL Management filed for bankruptcy. The bankruptcy stopped the filing of thousands of talc lawsuits, but the 3rd Circuit rejected that strategy.
The lawsuits filed by the state of Mississippi are built on the same allegations that were a part of the individual lawsuits brought against J&J: that the company's failure to warn about the risks of ovarian cancer resulting from talcum powder was negligent and constituted violations of the law of the state.
J&J has resubmitted its motion to dismiss the lawsuits to an alternative bankruptcy court. A hearing has been scheduled for June in order to determine whether the lawsuits against J&J will be allowed to move forward. If you or someone around you has been diagnosed with mesothelioma or another condition that could have been caused talcum powder. You should seek legal advice as soon as possible. Our skilled lawyers can help you receive the compensation you're entitled to.