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 case is the first trial to be held since J&J filed for bankruptcy and spun off its talc division.
In the early part of the year, huge settlements were reached in talc cases in New Jersey and California. Plaintiffs blamed their cancer on asbestos in J&J's Shower Baby and Shower Powder products.
What is Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma, a deadly form of cancer is a disease of the mesothelium the lining surrounding organs and cavities in the body. It is most common in the lungs, but can be found in the abdomen and chest cavity. Asbestos, the sole known cause of this disease, is asbestos. People who have been exposed are at 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 plaintiff's story. 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 has been accused of hiding asbestos-related risks from consumers for a number of years. The company has a long track record of hiding asbestos information from regulators, and even paying for asbestos tests that gave the results they desired. These lawsuits have named several of the talcum-powder suppliers for the company, including Whittaker Clark & Daniels, Imerys Talc America, and others.
Many women who used talcum powder to maintain feminine hygiene in the genital area or on sanitary napkins, or condoms have been diagnosed with ovarian cancer, and some have been diagnosed with mesothelioma. The lawsuits allege that J&J knew for more than 40 years that the powder caused mesothelioma and ovarian cancer however, they failed to warn consumers of this danger.
The symptoms of mesothelioma are abdominal pain as well as abdominal swelling, abdominal lumps and persistent coughing. Doctors can diagnose mesothelioma by an examination and imaging scans. These could include CT (computer tomography) scans, MRIs and PET or X-rays.
When mesothelioma is discovered patients may undergo chemotherapy, surgery, and/or radiotherapy. Depending on Duluth mesothelioma lawsuit of their tumors, surgeons might be able to remove the affected tissue. Certain patients with mesothelioma have a life expectancy lower than five. However, aggressive treatments such as extracorporeal tissue transplantation or chemotherapy for cytoreduction that uses hyperthermic intraperitoneal therapy can prolong survival.
What causes Mesothelioma?
Like most cancers, mesothelioma occurs when a cell's DNA experiences mutations. These mutations lead to uncontrolled cell growth that causes tumors to form in tissues. Asbestos is a common cause of mesothelioma. Asbestos exposure is common in a variety of industries, including manufacturing, mining, and transportation. Asbestos exposure is typically seen 20 to 40 years before symptoms begin to manifest. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma than females. It is also diagnosed most often in people between the ages 50 and 70. The kind of mesothelioma involving asbestos that someone develops is usually determined by the place on their body they were exposed. The majority of patients diagnosed with pleural msothelioma which affects the lung. Other patients are diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma. This type of mesothelioma affects the abdomen. Finally, some people are diagnosed with pericardial mesothelioma. It is the most rare form of the disease that affects the lining of the heart (pericardium) and the organ itself.
Mesothelioma symptoms include fatigue, shortness of breath and abdominal pain, as well as weight loss. In the late mesothelioma stages, the tumors can spread to different areas of the body which can cause severe discomfort and pain. Other symptoms that are common to mesothelioma include swelling of the lung (pleural effusion) loss of appetite, difficulties swallowing and a blockage in the small intestine, referred to as a obstruction of the bowel. Mesothelioma is a fatal disease, and is often fatal.
The talcum powder trial in Oakland involved a man of 24 years old who was diagnosed with pericardial mesothelioma as a result of using J&J baby powder. His lawyers argued that J&J knew that talc was contaminated with asbestos, but did not inform customers. They also cited a letter from 1998 to a J&J executive which revealed asbestos could be present in their products.
This is only the latest in a series of large verdicts against J&J. In March, J&J's Talcum Powder caused ovarian mesothelioma in a woman. Last month, another jury in Missouri handed down $55 million in a similar case. Seven new cases have been added to the MDL talcum-powder in the last month, which brings the total to 37,522 the total number of lawsuits pending. The majority 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?
A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be devastating. Patients should always see an expert for the most accurate information possible and avoid misdiagnosis that could lead to unnecessary treatment or allow cancer to grow.
A physical examination and a blood test can be an effective way to determine whether mesothelioma has caused symptoms. These tests can check for asbestos fibers in the blood or to determine the way in which the organs of a patient are functioning. The most precise method to determine if mesothelioma has been detected is through biopsy, which is when 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 person has also affects the prognosis of their patient. Pleural mesothelioma, the most common type of the disease and accounts for the majority of cases diagnosed. Peritoneal mesothelioma is a type of cancer that is found in the lining of the abdomen is less prevalent. The pericardial msothelioma, in turn, is a rare type that occurs in the lining the heart. It is only 1percent of all cases.
The first signs include shortness of breath which gets worse with time and coughing up blood. Asbestos sufferers might also experience fluid buildup in the chest cavity, a condition called pleural effusion. This can be drained by inserting a needle in the affected area of the chest cavity. In more severe cases, doctors might perform pleurodesis. This is a procedure that seals the cavity to stop fluid from accumulating again within the pleura.
A precise mesothelioma diagnosis is the best way to determine a patient's treatment options and the survival rate. There are a variety of options for treatment that include surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. Other options include immunotherapy which increases the immune system to fight mesothelioma as well as tumor treating fields that use the power of magnets to kill cancerous cells.
A mesothelioma specialist who is specialized can help patients understand the different mesothelioma cells that determine how aggressive the cancer is and what the prognosis for the patient is. Patients should discuss their experience 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've used Johnson & Johnson talcum and developed ovarian or other illnesses like mesothelioma after using the talcum powder, you may be entitled to a substantial amount of compensation. Contact us today for an obligation-free, no-cost case evaluation. We can assist you in filing mesothelioma claims against J&J and hold them accountable for their negligence.
Mesothelioma is a rare, but fatal disease caused by exposure to asbestos. Asbestos was a time when it was widely used in a range of consumer and industrial products, including baby powder. In talcum-powder lawsuits plaintiffs assert that exposure to asbestos from inhaling the powder caused them to develop mesothelioma or other health problems.
J&J allegedly knew about the risk of asbestos and talcum powder for a long time, but failed to warn consumers. Plaintiffs have filed lawsuits seeking punitive damages as well as compensatory damages against J&J. The claims have been combined in federal and state multidistrict lawsuits, or MDLs.
In 2018, one of the largest talc cases resulted in an $4.7 billion settlement in favor of the plaintiff. It was a national news story and set the stage for the rest of the year. Last month, a judge rejected a motion by J&J to dismiss the lawsuits filed by the state of Mississippi.
J&J however, tried to stop the litigation. The company set up a new subsidiary entity to assume its talc liabilities and LTL Management filed for bankruptcy. The bankruptcy was able to halt thousands of talc lawsuits however, the 3rd Circuit rejected this strategy.
The lawsuits filed by the state of Mississippi are based on the same allegations that were a part of the individual lawsuits filed against J&J: that the company's inability to warn of the dangers of ovarian cancer resulting from talcum powder was negligent, and constituted violations of state law.
J&J has filed a motion to dismiss lawsuits to another bankruptcy court. A hearing is scheduled for June to decide whether the lawsuits against J&J will be allowed to proceed. If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with mesothelioma or other disease that could have been caused by talcum powder you should seek legal advice immediately. Our skilled attorneys can assist you in obtaining the compensation that you deserve.