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 to blame for his cancer. The Oakland mesothelioma trial is one of the first to proceed since J&J spun off its talc business and filed for bankruptcy.
Earlier this year, jury awards in New Jersey and California led to big settlements in talc-related lawsuits. Plaintiffs attributed cancer to asbestos that was found in J&J products Shower to Shower and baby powder.
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 common in the lungs, but it can be located 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 as they heard the story of the plaintiff. The plaintiff, who is just 24 years old was diagnosed with malignant pericardial mesothelioma 2022. He attributed the reason for his illness to his use of Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder. The jury awarded him $26 million.
J&J is accused of hiding asbestos-related risks from consumers for several decades. The company has a long history of concealing asbestos-related information from regulators, as well as paying for asbestos tests that produced the results they wanted. The lawsuits have identified a number of the company's suppliers of talcum powder, including Whittaker Clark & Daniels, Imerys Talc America, and others.
Many women who used talcum powder for feminine hygiene in the genital areas or on sanitary napkins, or condoms have gotten cancer of the ovary, and a few have been diagnosed with mesothelioma. The lawsuits claim that J&J knew for more than 40 years that using the powder led to mesothelioma and ovarian cancer but did not warn consumers of this danger.
Symptoms of mesothelioma include abdominal pain as well as abdominal swelling, abdominal lumps, and persistent coughing. Doctors can diagnose the disease by a physical examination and imaging scans. These include CT scans (computer tomography), MRIs, PET or X rays.
After a mesothelioma is diagnosed patients may undergo chemotherapy, surgery, and/or radiotherapy. The surgeons can remove the affected tissue depending on the location of the tumors. Patients with mesothelioma may be given an expected life expectancy of less than five years. However, albuquerque mesothelioma lawsuit like extracorporeal membrane transplant and cytoreduction with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy may prolong the life expectancy.
What is the cause of Mesothelioma?
Like all cancers, mesothelioma develops by DNA mutations. These mutations cause uncontrolled cell growth, which forms tumors in tissues. Asbestos is the most common mesothelioma-related cause. Asbestos exposure is common in a variety of industries, including mining, manufacturing and transportation. Asbestos can be exposed for between 20 and 40 years prior to the onset of symptoms becoming apparent. Mesothelioma affects men more than women, and is most commonly diagnosed in people who are in their 50s to 70s. The kind of mesothelioma caused by asbestos that someone develops is usually determined by the place they were exposed. Most mesothelioma patients are diagnosed with pleural msothelioma which affects the lung. Others are diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma, a type of mesothelioma that affects the abdomen. Some patients are diagnosed with pericardial mesothelioma. This is an extremely rare type of disease that affects both the liner (pericardium) and the organ itself.
Mesothelioma symptoms include shortness of breath, fatigue abdominal pain and weight loss. In the final stages of mesothelioma, the tumors can spread to different areas of the body creating severe discomfort and pain. Other signs of mesothelioma are fluid in the lung, a loss of appetite and difficulty swallowing and eating. Mesothelioma is a fatal illness, and it can be fatal.
The talcum powder trial in Oakland involved a man of 24 years old who was diagnosed with pericardial msothelioma following the use of J&J baby powder. His lawyers argued the company knew that talc contained asbestos, but didn't warn customers. They also cited a 1998 letter sent to a J&J executive that revealed the possibility of asbestos being 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 handed down $55 million in a similar case. In addition, seven cases were added to the powder talcum MDL in the last month, bringing 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 can be devastating. Patients should always consult an expert for the most accurate information available and avoid misdiagnosis which could lead to unnecessary treatment and let cancer spread more.
A physical exam and blood sample can aid in identifying 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 reliable method of diagnosing mesothelioma is the procedure of a biopsy. Doctors take tissues or fluids from an affected area and then examine them under a microscope to look for mesothelioma tumor cells.
The type of mesothelioma a sufferer has also impacts the likelihood of a positive outcome. Pleural mesothelioma, which forms in the thin lining around the lungs, is the common form of mesothelioma and makes up the majority of cases diagnosed. Peritoneal cancer, which forms in the lining around the abdomen is a less well-known form. The pericardial msothelioma, in turn, is a rare kind that develops in the lining of the heart. It is only 1percent of all cases.
A shortness of breath that gets worse with time, and a bloody cough are among the first symptoms. Asbestos sufferers may also experience fluid buildup in the chest cavity, a condition known as pleural effusion. It can be removed by inserting a needle in the affected area of the chest cavity. In more serious cases, doctors may opt to perform pleurodesis, an operation which seals the area to prevent the fluid from accumulating within the pleura.
A precise diagnosis of mesothelioma is crucial in determining the rate of survival for a patient and treatment options. Treatment options include chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation are all options. Other options include immunotherapy, which is a form of treatment that enhances the immune system to fight mesothelioma cancer cells and tumor-removing fields, which uses an electromagnetic field to destroy cancerous cells.
A mesothelioma specialist who is specialized can help patients understand the different mesothelioma cell types that determine how aggressive the cancer is and what the prognosis of the patient is. Patients should discuss their history of asbestos exposure with their doctor to determine if they are mesothelioma-related and discover what kinds of treatment might be available to them.
How Can I get help?
If you used Johnson & Johnson talcum and suffered from ovarian or other diseases like mesothelioma after using the talcum powder, you could be entitled to a substantial amount of compensation. Contact us today for a no-cost, non- obligation case assessment. We can assist you in filing a mesothelioma lawsuit against J&J and make them accountable for their wrongful conduct.
Mesothelioma is a rare, but fatal disease caused by asbestos exposure. Asbestos was widely utilized in a variety of consumer and industrial products including baby powder. The plaintiffs in talcum powder cases claim that inhaling talcum powder led to asbestos exposure which led to mesothelioma as well as other health issues.
J&J allegedly knew about the dangers of asbestos and talcum powder for decades, but did not warn consumers. Plaintiffs have filed mesothelioma lawsuits against J&J seeking compensatory and punitive damages. These claims have been consolidated in federal and state multidistrict litigations, or MDLs.
In 2018 one of the biggest talc cases led to a $4.7 billion settlement in favor of the plaintiff. This was a national news story that set the stage for the rest. 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 halt the litigation. LTL Management, a subsidiary of J&J, filed for bankruptcy after the company incorporated a new entity to assume its liabilities. The bankruptcy stopped the talc lawsuits of thousands, but the 3rd Circuit rejected this strategy.
The lawsuits brought by Mississippi are based on the same allegations of the individual lawsuits filed against J&J. They assert that the company was negligent in failing to warn of the risk of ovarian carcinoma from talcum powder and that this resulted in a violation of state law.
J&J has resubmitted its motion to dismiss the lawsuits to another 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 you love is diagnosed with mesothelioma, or any other condition which could be caused by talcum powder you should seek legal representation immediately. Our skilled attorneys will assist you in getting the compensation that you deserve.