Mesothelioma Lawyer Files Talc Lawsuit Against Johnson & Johnson
A 24-year-old man with mesothelioma of the pericardium has claimed that Johnson and Johnson's baby powder was responsible for his cancer. The Oakland mesothelioma trial is one of the first one to be held since J&J has dissolved its talc business and filed for bankruptcy.
In the spring of this year, jury awards in New Jersey and California led to big settlements in talc-related lawsuits. Plaintiffs linked their cancer to asbestos in J&J's Shower Baby and Shower Powder products.
What is Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is a lethal form of cancer, affects the mesothelium or lining around organs and cavities within the body. It is most often found in the lungs, but it can also be found in the abdomen, the heart and chest cavity, as well as the testicles. Asbestos, the only known cause of this disease is asbestos. People who have been exposed to asbestos are at a higher risk 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 testimony of the plaintiff. The plaintiff, who is just 24 years old, was diagnosed with malignant pericardial mesothelioma 2022. He blamed the cause of his illness to his childhood use Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder. The jury awarded him $26 million.
J&J is accused of obfuscating asbestos risks from consumers since several decades. J&J has a history of hiding asbestos-related findings from regulators and funding asbestos tests to generate the results it desired. Several of the company's talcum powder suppliers have been named in these lawsuits and include Whittaker, Clark & Daniels and Imerys Talc America.
Women who used talcum for feminine hygiene on sanitary pads or condoms or in the genital area have developed ovarian and mesothelioma. The lawsuits claim that J&J knew for more than 40 years that the powder could cause mesothelioma and ovarian cancer, but failed to warn customers of this danger.
The symptoms of mesothelioma are abdominal pain and abdominal swelling, abdominal lumps, and persistent coughing. Doctors can detect mesothelioma with a physical exam and imaging scans. They can include CT (computer tomography) scans, MRIs and PET or X-rays.
When a mesothelioma diagnosis is confirmed, patients may undergo chemotherapy, surgery, or radiation. The surgeons can remove affected tissue depending on the location of the tumors. Patients with mesothelioma may have a lifespan less than five. However, aggressive treatments such as extracorporeal tissue transplantation and chemotherapy for cytoreduction that uses hyperthermic intraperitoneal therapy can prolong the duration of survival.
What causes Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma, as with most cancers, is caused by DNA mutations within a cell. These mutations cause uncontrolled cell growth, which creates tumors in the tissues. Asbestos is the leading cause of mesothelioma. The exposure to asbestos can be found in a variety of industries, including manufacturing, mining construction, and transportation. Asbestos exposure is typically seen 20 to 40 years before symptoms begin to manifest. Men are more likely to develop mesothelioma compared to women. It is also diagnosed most often in people between the ages 50 and 70. The type of asbestos-related mesothelioma that a person develops is usually determined by the place they were exposed. Most people with mesothelioma are diagnosed with pleural melanoma, which affects the lung. Other patients are diagnosed with peritoneal msothelioma. This kind of mesothelioma is affecting the abdomen. Finally, some people are diagnosed with pericardial mesothelioma. It is an extremely rare form of the disease that affects the lining of the heart (pericardium) and the organ itself.
Shortness of breath as well as abdominal pain and fatigue are all symptoms of mesothelioma. In the latter stages of mesothelioma the tumors can spread to other parts that cause severe discomfort and discomfort. Other common symptoms of mesothelioma are fluid on the lung (pleural effusion), loss of appetite, difficulties swallowing and a blockage within the small intestine referred to as a obstruction of the bowel. Mesothelioma can be fatal.
The talcum-powder trial in Oakland involved an individual of 24 years old who was diagnosed with pericardial msothelioma after using J&J baby powder. His lawyers argued the company knew that talc contained asbestos, but did not warn consumers. They also cited a letter in 1998 to an J&J executive which revealed the possibility of asbestos in their products.
This is only the latest in a long line 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 awarded $55 million in an identical 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 were filed by women who have used J&J talcum powder to maintain feminine hygiene.
How do I know If I Have Mesothelioma?
A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be devastating. Patients should always consult a specialist to ensure the most accurate diagnosis and to avoid misdiagnosis, which could result in unnecessary treatment and spread of cancer.
A physical examination and blood test can be a good start to identify whether mesothelioma is causing symptoms. These tests can be used to look for asbestos fibers in blood or to assess the health of the patient's internal organs. The most accurate method to diagnose mesothelioma is the procedure of a biopsy. Doctors take tissues or fluids from an affected area, and examine them under a microscope for mesothelioma cancerous cells.
The type of mesothelioma a sufferer has also impacts his or her prognosis. Pleural mesothelioma, that forms in the thin lining that surrounds the lungs, is the common form of mesothelioma and accounts for the majority of cases diagnosed. Peritoneal cancer, which forms in the lining surrounding the abdomen, is a less common type. In addition, pericardial mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer that develops in the lining of the heart. It's only one percent of all cases.
Shortness of breath, which is more severe with time, and a bloody cough are some of the first symptoms. Asbestos patients may also experience fluid accumulation in the chest cavity. This condition is called Pleural effusion. The fluid can be eliminated from the chest cavity by inserting an needle into the affected region. In more severe cases doctors may opt to perform pleurodesis, an operation that seals the space to prevent fluid from accumulating again within the pleura.
A precise mesothelioma diagnosis is the most reliable way to determine a patient's treatment options and survival rate. There are many treatments available that include surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. Other options include immunotherapy which enhances the immune system to fight mesothelioma and treatment fields for tumors that utilize the power of magnets to kill cancerous cell.
A mesothelioma expert can also help patients understand various mesothelioma cell types which determine the extent of the cancer as well as the patient's outlook. accidentinjurylawyers should discuss with their doctor their history of asbestos exposure to determine if mesothelioma is a possibility and what treatment options are available.
How Can I Get Help?
If you have used Johnson & Johnson talcum powder and have been diagnosed with ovarian cancer or another disease such as mesothelioma, you may be eligible for substantial compensation. Contact us today to receive an absolutely free 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 caused by exposure to asbestos. Asbestos used to be widely utilized in a variety of industrial and consumer products like baby powder. In talcum-powder cases plaintiffs claim that exposure to asbestos through inhalation of the powder led to the development of mesothelioma or other health problems.
J&J failed to warn the public about the dangers of talcum and asbestos, despite knowing them for many years. Plaintiffs have filed mesothelioma lawsuits against the firm seeking damages for punitive and compensatory. These claims have been consolidated in state and federal multidistrict lawsuits, also known as MDLs.
In 2018, one of the largest Talc cases resulted in a $4.7 billion verdict in the favor of the plaintiff. This made national headlines and set the tone for the rest of the litigation. Last month, a judge denied the motion of J&J to dismiss the lawsuits filed by the state of Mississippi.
J&J, however, tried to stop the litigation. LTL Management, a subsidiary of J&J has filed for bankruptcy after the company incorporated an entity that would take on its obligations. The bankruptcy stopped the filing of thousands of talc lawsuits, however, the 3rd Circuit rejected that strategy.
The lawsuits filed by the state of Mississippi are built on the same allegations as the individual lawsuits filed against J&J which allege that the company's inability to warn about the risks of ovarian cancer from talcum powder was negligent, and violated the law of the state.
J&J has submitted its motion to dismiss the lawsuits to a different bankruptcy court. A hearing has been scheduled for June to determine whether the lawsuits against J&J will be allowed to move forward. If you or someone close to you has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, or any other condition that could have been caused by talcum powder. You should seek legal advice as soon as possible. Our skilled lawyers can help you receive compensation that you deserve.