Mesothelioma Lawyer Files Talc Lawsuit Against Johnson & Johnson
A 24-year-old with pericardial msothelioma claims that Johnson & Johnson baby powder is to blame for his cancer. The Oakland mesothelioma trial is one of the first one to be held since J&J separated its talc business and filed for bankruptcy.
In the first quarter of this year, large settlements were made in talc suits in New Jersey and California. Plaintiffs have linked cancer to asbestos in J&J products Shower to Shower and baby powder.
What is Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is a fatal form of cancer that affects mesothelium the lining around organs and body cavities. It is most common in the lungs, but can be found in the chest and abdomen cavity. Asbestos is the most well-known cause of mesothelioma, and people who have been exposed to asbestos are at a higher risk of developing this disease.
The first trial since J&J declared bankruptcy on its talcum powder division began in Oakland, California this week. Jurors were moved by 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 in the pericardium. wilmington mesothelioma lawsuit blamed the reason for his illness to his childhood use Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder. The jury awarded him $25 million.
J&J has been accused of concealing asbestos risks from consumers since many years. The company has a long history of hiding asbestos-related findings from regulators and even funding asbestos tests to achieve the results it desired. These lawsuits have named several of the company's suppliers of talcum powder which include Whittaker Clark & Daniels, Imerys Talc America, and other companies.
Many women who used talcum powder for feminine hygiene in the genital region or on sanitary napkins, or condoms have gotten ovarian cancer, and some have been diagnosed with mesothelioma. The lawsuits assert that J&J was aware for more than forty years that the powder could cause ovarian cancer and other illnesses, but did not take the time to warn consumers.
Mesothelioma symptoms can include difficulty breathing, persistent coughing and fatigue, abdominal pain and lumps or masses on the abdomen or chest. Doctors can diagnose mesothelioma by a physical exam and imaging scans. These could include CT (computer tomography) scans, MRIs and PET or X-rays.
After a mesothelioma is diagnosed patients may undergo surgery, chemotherapy, or radiotherapy. Depending on the site of their tumors, surgeons might be able to remove the affected tissue. Some patients with mesothelioma have a life expectancy less than five. However, aggressive treatments such as extracorporeal tissue transplantation or cytoreduction using hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy can prolong survival.
What is the cause of Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that is caused by DNA changes in a cell. These mutations cause the cells to multiply in uncontrolled ways, forming tumors in the tissues of the body. Asbestos is the most common mesothelioma cause. Asbestos exposure is common in a variety of industries, including manufacturing, mining, and transportation. Asbestos is usually exposed for between 20 and 40 years prior to symptoms becoming apparent. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than females. It is also found most often in those between the ages 50 and 70. The kind of mesothelioma caused by asbestos that a person develops is often determined by the location on their body they were exposed. Most people with mesothelioma are diagnosed with pleural melanoma, which affects the lung. Some are diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma. This type of mesothelioma affects the abdomen. Some people are diagnosed with pericardial msothelioma. This is a rare form of cancer that affects both the inner lining (pericardium) as well as the organ itself.
Insomnia as well as abdominal pain and fatigue are all signs of mesothelioma. In the final stages of mesothelioma, the tumors can spread to other areas of the body, which can cause severe pain and discomfort. Other signs of mesothelioma can include fluid in the lung, a loss of appetite and difficulty swallowing and eating. Mesothelioma can be fatal.
The talcum powder trial in Oakland involved a man aged 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 was contaminated with asbestos, but did not inform customers. They also cited an 1998 letter addressed to an J&J executive that revealed the possibility of asbestos in their products.
This is only the latest in a string of major verdicts against J&J. In March, J&J's Talcum Powder caused ovarian mesothelioma in a woman. In March, a jury in Missouri awarded $55 million in the same case. Seven new cases have been added to the MDL talcum powder over the last month, bringing to 37,522 the total number of lawsuits in the process. Most of these lawsuits are filed by women who used J&J talcum powder to maintain their feminine hygiene.
How Can I tell whether I have mesothelioma or not?
The diagnosis of mesothelioma could be devastating. Patients should always seek out a specialist to get the most precise diagnosis and to avoid mistakes that could lead to unneeded treatment and spread of cancer.
A physical examination and a blood test can be a good start to identify whether mesothelioma has caused symptoms. These tests can be used to check for asbestos fibers in blood, or the health of a patient's internal organs. The most precise method to identify mesothelioma is with a biopsy, where 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 a sufferer has also impacts the likelihood of a positive outcome. Pleural mesothelioma is by far the most prevalent type of disease and accounts for the majority of cases diagnosed. Peritoneal cancer, which forms in the lining of the abdomen is a less well-known type. In addition, pericardial mesothelioma which is a rare form of cancer that occurs in the lining of the heart, is much less common and accounts for around 1percent of cases.
A shortness of breath that becomes worse over time, and a bloody cough are some of the first symptoms. Asbestos victims can also experience fluid accumulation in the chest cavity, a condition known as pleural effusion. The fluid can be removed from the chest cavity by inserting an needle into the affected region. In more severe cases, doctors may use a procedure known as pleurodesis to seal the space to stop the reaccumulation of fluid in the pleura.
A reliable diagnosis of mesothelioma is crucial to determine a patient's survival rate and treatment options. Surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation are all options. There are also immunotherapy treatments that boosts the immune systems to fight mesothelioma and cancer treating fields that employ magnetic fields to kill cancerous cells.
A mesothelioma specialist may also assist patients in understanding different mesothelioma types that determine the extent of the cancer and the outlook of the patient. Patients should discuss their experience of exposure to asbestos with their doctor to determine if they're a mesothelioma candidate and discover what kinds of treatment might be available to them.
How Can I Get Help?
If you have used Johnson & Johnson talcum and developed ovarian or other illnesses like mesothelioma as a result of using the talcum powder, you may be eligible for significant compensation. Contact us today for a no-cost, non- obligation case evaluation. We can assist you in bringing mesothelioma lawsuit against J&J to hold them accountable for negligence.
Mesothelioma is a rare, but fatal illness that is caused by asbestos exposure. Asbestos was used in a variety of consumer and industrial products including baby powder. In talcum powder cases, plaintiffs claim that exposure to asbestos from inhaling the powder led to the development of mesothelioma, or other health issues.
J&J believed to have known about the dangers of talcum powder and asbestos for decades but failed to warn consumers. Plaintiffs have filed mesothelioma lawsuits against the company seeking punitive and compensatory damages. The claims have been combined in federal and state multidistrict litigations, or MDLs.
In 2018, one of the first major trial involving talc resulted in an $4.7 billion verdict for the plaintiff. This was a national news story that set the precedent for the rest. In the last month, a judge rejected the motion of J&J to dismiss the lawsuits filed by the state of Mississippi.
However, in an effort to derail the lawsuit, J&J tried again. 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 brought by the state of Mississippi are founded on the same allegations as the individual lawsuits brought against J&J that claim that the company's failure to warn consumers about the dangers of ovarian cancer caused by talcum powder was negligent, and violated the law of the state.
J&J has submitted its motion to dismiss lawsuits to another bankruptcy court. A hearing is scheduled for June to determine whether the lawsuits against J&J will be allowed to move forward. If you or someone near you has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, or another condition that could have been caused by talcum powder. You should seek legal counsel immediately. Our experienced attorneys can assist you in obtaining the justice you deserve.